Our pathways
At COLA Southwark we offer a number of unique pathways to match our students’ interests, and university and career aspirations, including a new Oxbridge/Biomedical route for 2026.
Academic
Our leading, academic route offering a broad range of rigorous A level subject choices.
Oxbridge and Biomedical Sciences
A specialist pathway for students looking to pursue a medical pathway or prepare for an Oxbridge college application.
Vocational
Our BTEC Extended Diploma pathway of vocational courses including Sports.
Academic (A level) pathway
We offer a broad range of arts, humanities, maths and science A level subjects. Students are expected to choose three A levels as standard, or up to four if on the Oxbridge/Biomedical pathway. Please note: it is not possible to study a combination of A levels and BTECs.
- Art
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- Economics
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- Film Studies
- Food Science and Nutrition
- French
- Geography
- History
- Latin
- Politics
- Mathematics
- Further Mathematics
- Music
- Music Production
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Psychology
- Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics
- Sociology
- Spanish
A level entry requirements
- GCSE maths AND English at grade 5 or above
- An average GCSE points score of 5.5
- Meet individual subject requirements
Oxbridge/Biomedical entry requirements
- Minimum GCSE average point score of 7.5
- English Language and Literature grade 7
- Meet individual subject requirements
- Grade 8+ in key subjects (dependent on route)
| Subject | Entry requirement |
|---|---|
| Biology | 76 in Combined Science and if studying separate sciences a 6 in Biology and a 6 in either Biology or Chemistry with a minimum of grade 5 in the other). A 6 in Maths also required |
| Business Studies | 6 in Business Studies / 6 in English Language or Literature |
| Chemistry | 76 in Combined Science and if studying separate sciences a 6 in Chemistry s and a 6 in either Biology or Chemistry with a minimum of grade 5 in the other). A 6 in Maths also required |
| Computer science | 7 in Computer Science and 6 in Maths (6 in CS with teacher recommendation). If they have not studied CS it may be possible to study, but will not be able to choose it at enrolment. Will need to meet with Head of Comp Sci at the start of term |
| Drama | 6 in Drama or 6 in English Language or Literature |
| Economics | 6 in Economics and 6 in Maths. If Economics not studied, a 6 in English Language or Literature and 6 in Mathematics |
| English Lang./Lit. | 6 in English Language and English Literature |
| Fine Art | Art – 6 in Art (if you did not study this at GCSE you will need to submit a portfolio of work) |
| Film Studies | 6 in English Language and English Literature |
| Food science and nutrition | 6 in Food Preparation and Nutrition or M2+ in Hospitality and Catering |
| French | 6 in French |
| Further mathematics | 8 in Mathematics |
| Government and politics | 6 in History or Geography or Sociology |
| Geography | 6 in Geography or History or Sociology |
| History | 6 in History |
| Latin | 7 in Latin GCSE (can be considered without a GCSE in Latin – discuss at enrolment) |
| Mathematics | 7 in Mathematics |
| Music | 5 in Music if taken. If Music is not studied then Grade 5 standard or above with any musical instrument. |
| PE | A 5 in GCSE PE or Distinction in PE VCert and a 5 in Science/ if PE not studied a 6 in Biology |
| Philosophy and ethics | 6 in RS or if RS not studied a 6 in English Lit or Lang |
| Physics | 76 in Combined Science and if studying separate sciences a 6 in Physics and a 6 in either Biology or Chemistry with a minimum of grade 5 in the other). Must also be studying Maths A level |
| Psychology | 6 in Science or Maths (minimum grade 5 if both not 6) and 6 in English Language or Literature |
| S | 6 in Sociology or 6 in English Language or Literature and a 5 in Science |
| Spanish | 6 in Spanish |
Vocational pathway
We offer two unique and specialist vocational pathways in Sport, and Health and Social Care – both are triple BTEC options.
- Triple BTEC Sport
- Triple BTEC Health and Social Care
BTEC entry requirements
- GCSE English grade 5+ and maths 4+
- GCSE average points score (APS) of 4.5
- Meet individual subject requirements
| Subject | Entry requirement |
|---|---|
| Triple BTEC Sport | Minimum average GCSE score of 4.5 AND 5 in PE GCSE/PE V Cert Distinction or 5 in Biology and a minimum of 4 in Maths |
| Triple BTEC Health and Social Care | Minimum average GCSE score of 4.5 and a minimum of a 5 in one English GCSE and a 4 in Maths |