Sport - BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate

Applications Open: 3 November 2025 at 9.00am

Applications Close: 31 January 2026 at 5.00pm

Entry Requirements: At least five GCSE's at grade 4 or above. In addition, you will need to achieve specific subject entry requirements for all subjects.

How to Apply - September 2026 entry

Applications will open on Applicaa on 3 November 2025. Please refer to our Course Guide which lists subjects available along with entry criteria - this can be found on our website under Sixth Form Admissions along with our Admissions Policy. Please note our Course Guide for 2025 entry is currently displayed, Course Guide for 2026 will be available shortly.

If you need advice on Sixth Form courses or completing an application, please email sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk or phone 01892 527444.

When applying students MUST enter three subject choices PLUS a reserve - in preference order - one being first choice and four being the reserve.
Please do not enter a fifth choice. Please note some subjects cannot be studied together - these are indicated on the relevant subject page and also in the Course Guide.

Internal Applicants to Sixth Form (current St Gregory’s students)

Our current students will join a Sixth Form Taster Day in September 2025, this is an opportunity to experience Sixth Form subjects and lessons.

All students will receive ongoing support and guidance with the online application process through discussions with dedicated members of staff, subject leaders and members of the Sixth Form team. Students will also receive a session with an external Careers Advisor.

External Applicants to Sixth Form

External applicants will be required to submit their applications via Applicaa using the link provided on the school website on 3 November 2026.

External applicants will also need to complete a Sixth Form Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if they are Catholic or 'Looked After' children. This can be found on the school website under Learn/Sixth Form/Sixth Form Admissions - Supplementary Information Form 2025-26. This must be returned to sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk by the closing date.

Prospective students may be invited into school for a meeting with the Sixth Form team.

The Pearson Edexcel BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport enables students to develop their creative, analytical, technical and expressive skills. It is intended to be an Applied General qualification for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning, and studied alongside other A Level or Level 3 qualifications. It is equivalent to one A Level and is a study programme completed over two years.

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that it supports progression to higher education. Employers and professional bodies have also been involved and consulted to confirm that the content is appropriate and consistent with current practice for learners who may choose to enter employment directly in the sport sector.

Independent study commitment:

Five hours per week minimum.

Four units of which three are mandatory (83%) and two are external (67%).

Mandatory unit focus:

• Anatomy & Physiology

• Fitness Training & Programming for Health, Sport & Wellbeing

• Professional Development in the Sports Industry

Plus one of the following additional units:

• Sports Leadership

• Application of Fitness Testing

• Sports Social & Cultural Anthropology

• Practical Sports Performance

These units will require students to take part in both theory based and practical sessions on a regular basis as part of the assessment process.

GCSE: 4 in Physical Education or Pass in Sport

Why study Sport?

BTEC Sport carries UCAS points and is recognised by providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many courses, if taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of study.

Where can it lead?

For learners who wish to study an aspect of sport in higher education, opportunities include:

• BA (Hons) in Sport Studies and Business, if taken alongside A Levels in Business and Maths

• BSC (Hons) in Sport Psychology, if taken alongside a BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Science and an A Level in Psychology

• BA (Hons) in Sports Education and Special and Inclusive Education, if taken alongside A Level in English Language and BTEC National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts

• BA (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science, if taken alongside a BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science.

Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with the specific higher education providers.

What does it combine well with? BTEC Sport combines well with a large number of subjects and supports entry to higher education courses in a wide range of disciplines (depending on the subjects taken alongside it).