Entry Criteria
Please see the table below for a summary of the general entry criteria which will ordinarily apply to applicants to East Durham College, including new direct entry and progression within the college. Information is correct as of March 2025.
Courses included below include Level 3, Level 2, Level 1 and Entry Level. For details on our higher education courses, please check the specific course page for details.
| Level 3 | Entry Route | Entry Criteria | Other Information / Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 Extended | Direct Entry | Direct entry not usually applicable. | Direct entry not usually applicable due to this being year two of a two year programme. |
| Progression | Successful attainment of the articulating, pre-requisite programme (or equivalent level programme), alongside demonstration of programme-ready attendance, behaviours and attitudes. | Continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant. | |
| A Level (Y12) | Direct Entry | 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English & Maths and Science where appropriate. | Specific GCSE grades may be required for individual A Level subjects. |
| Progression from Level 2 or 3 | 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English & Maths and Science where appropriate, alongside demonstration of programme-ready attendance, behaviours and attitudes. | Specific GCSE grades may be required for individual A Level subjects. Continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant. | |
| T-Level | Direct Entry | Minimum of 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including maths, English and science where appropriate. | All students must have the ability, resilience and stamina to complete a minimum of 45 days industrial placement which may include travel. |
| Level 3 | Direct Entry | Minimum of 4 GCSEs grades 9-4 or equivalent. Dependent upon the programme this may include English, maths and Science where appropriate. Where English or maths is a requirement at a grade 4, the alternate subject must be at a grade 3. | Exceptions may apply where certain practical skills are required to fulfil entry requirements, in areas such as: Hairdressing, Arboriculture, Agriculture, Equine. All students on Technical Programmes must have the ability and enthusiasm to complete 150 hours of industrial placement and be physically capable of meeting the requirements of the practical assessment with only assistance allowed by awarding organisation. Certain courses also have other specific restrictions, please check the course on the website for full details. |
| Progression from Level 2 | Successful attainment of the articulating, pre-requisite programme (or equivalent level programme), alongside demonstration of programme-ready attendance, behaviours and attitudes. Some Technical Diplomas may require maths or English at a grade 4 dependent upon the subject. | Continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant. |
| Level 2 | Entry Route | Entry Criteria | Other Information / Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Direct Entry | Minimum of 3 GCSEs at grades 3. Some Technical Diplomas require minimum of 3 GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including maths, English and Science. | Continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant. |
| Progression from Level 1 | Level 1 in any subject. Some vocational areas may ask for completion of a level 1 course in a related subject, alongside demonstration of programme-ready attendance, behaviours and attitudes. | The student must have achieved a minimum of Entry 3 Maths and English in the previous year with continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant. |
| Level 1 | Entry Route | Entry Criteria | Other Information / Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Direct Entry | Minimum of 3 GCSEs. | All students must undertake a maths and English assessment, and other assessments as required, to ensure they have the required skills to complete the course. |
| Progression from Entry Level | An entry 3 qualification, alongside demonstration of programme-ready attendance, behaviours and attitudes. | Continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant. |
| Entry Level | Entry Route | Entry Criteria | Other Information / Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level 1-3 | Direct Entry or Progression | Decisions are made on an individual basis, please contact staff in our Inclusive Learning team (Foundation Studies or Derwent Autistic Provision) for further information. | N/a. |
Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled on to courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level to ensure they are enrolled on the right course for them to achieve and progress.
Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry to any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.
Houghall Campus Accessibility
East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some parts of which are over 85 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site that are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services at Houghall on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs.
Any Questions?
Can we help with anything relating to East Durham College's entry criteria? Simply get in touch with us using one of the following methods:
Use our online LiveChat system on the website for a quick and easy response.
Call Student Services on 0191 518 8222
Email Us: enquiries@eastdurham.ac.uk