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A Level and Applied Pathways

Our A Level and Applied pathways provide students with the opportunity to specialise in the subjects that most closely reflect their strengths, interests and future plans, while retaining opportunities to broaden their programme beyond their principal qualifications. 

Students can build their programme from a broad range of A Level subjects, with additional routes for those with particular strengths in Mathematics and STEM or those who wish to combine A Levels with an applied qualification. Alongside their principal subjects, students also select a Sixth Form Elective, enabling them to extend their studies into another area, continue with a subject they value or gain an additional qualification. 

Whatever programme they choose, students remain part of the same distinctive Hockerill Sixth Form. As an IB World School, our international outlook extends well beyond the IB Diploma itself. Students learn within a diverse day and boarding community in which different cultures, languages and perspectives are part of everyday College life. Across all of our pathways, we want students to be intellectually curious, outward-looking and confident in engaging with the wider world. 

Students can therefore expect academically challenging courses, high-quality specialist teaching and increasing independence, alongside the wider opportunities and international perspective that characterise a Hockerill education. 

What will I study? 

There are three principal routes within our A Level and Applied programme. 

Three A Levels 

Most students following this pathway will select three A Levels from the subjects available. 

This provides the opportunity to specialise in subjects students particularly enjoy and in which they have demonstrated academic strength, while creating a programme suited to their future university, apprenticeship or career plans. 

Students will also choose a Sixth Form Elective alongside their three A Levels. 

Four A Levels – Mathematics/STEM Specialist Route 

Students with particular strengths and aspirations in Mathematics and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects may follow a four A Level programme. 

Students on this route study Mathematics and Further Mathematics, together with two additional A Levels. 

This is a demanding programme intended for students with the academic strength and enthusiasm to pursue Mathematics alongside a broader STEM-focused curriculum. Students will also choose a Sixth Form Elective. 

Level 3 Applied and A Level Programme

Students may choose to combine an applied qualification with A Level study. 

Students select one Level 3 Applied qualification, studied alongside two A Levels. The applied qualifications currently planned are: 

  • Criminology
  • Food Science and Nutrition 

Each is equivalent in size to one A Level. 

This route provides an opportunity to combine different approaches to learning and assessment within a coherent Sixth Form programme. Students will also choose a Sixth Form Elective. 

Sixth Form Electives – adding breadth to your programme 

An important feature of our A Level and Applied pathways is the opportunity for students to broaden their programme through a Sixth Form Elective. 

There will be a wide range of electives from which to choose, including the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), Fundamentals of Financial Services and a selection of IB Standard Level subjects, alongside other courses and opportunities as the programme develops. 

The availability of selected IB Standard Level subjects allows students to draw on the breadth and international character of Hockerill's curriculum while following an A Level or Applied pathway. Students may, for example, continue studying a language alongside their A Levels, begin a new language through an Ab Initio course designed for beginners, or maintain Mathematics within their programme through one of our IB Standard Level Mathematics courses. 

For some students, an elective will complement their principal subjects or support their future plans. For others, it will provide the opportunity to continue studying something they enjoy and would otherwise have had to leave behind. 

Choosing to specialise therefore does not have to mean giving up breadth. Students can build a strong programme around their principal subjects while using their elective to extend their academic experience, develop additional skills and interests, and create a broader portfolio of study. 

The full range of Sixth Form Electives will be confirmed as the programme develops. 

Why choose an A Level or Applied pathway? 

These pathways may particularly appeal to students who want to concentrate their studies around a smaller number of subjects and develop greater depth in areas that particularly interest them. 

The breadth of subjects available allows students to create programmes across different disciplines or develop a more specialised combination around particular academic and career interests. The Sixth Form Elective provides additional flexibility to broaden or complement that programme. 

For some students, the opportunity to combine A Levels with an applied qualification will provide an attractive alternative, bringing together different styles of learning and assessment. 

Across all three routes, students will develop greater independence, subject knowledge and the analytical, research, problem-solving and communication skills required for successful progression beyond Sixth Form. 

Which pathway is right for me? 

Our A Level and Applied pathways may be particularly suitable if you: 

  • have particular subjects that you want to study in greater depth; 
  • have clear academic strengths or emerging areas of interest; 
  • want to specialise while retaining the opportunity for additional breadth; 
  • have a particular university course or career in mind and need specific subjects for progression; 
  • want the flexibility to create a programme reflecting your individual interests and future plans; or 
  • would benefit from combining different approaches to learning and assessment through an applied qualification. 
  • Students considering the Mathematics/STEM Specialist Route will need particularly strong mathematical ability and should be comfortable with the demands of studying four A Levels. 

Choosing the right subjects is just as important as choosing the right pathway. Some university courses and careers require particular subjects or combinations, while others offer considerably more flexibility. 

Before joining Hockerill Sixth Form, students will have opportunities to discuss their proposed programme with experienced staff. We will help students consider their academic strengths, subject interests and future plans so that they make informed choices and select a programme in which they are well placed to succeed.

Explore A Level & Applied Pathways 

A Level subjects 
Explore the A Level subjects planned for September 2027. 

Level 3 Applied qualifications 
Find out more about Criminology and Food Science and Nutrition. 

Sixth Form Electives 
Explore how you can broaden and enhance your programme beyond your principal subjects. 

Choosing your programme 
Compare our different curriculum pathways and consider which programme best reflects your strengths, interests and future plans. 

Careers, universities and future pathways 
Find out how we support students in preparing for university, apprenticeships and their next steps.