What are AS and A Levels?

‘AS’ and ‘A’ Levels are the traditional qualifications for university entrance and the world of work.An ‘A’ Level course consists of an ‘AS’ year of study followed by an ‘A2’ year. Students can take between three and five AS Levels leading to three or possibly four full ‘A’ Levels. The number of subjects that individual students take will be determined by their sucess at GCSE. Students choose their subjects from the course list shown.

How are A Levels different from BTEC vocational or IB Diploma Programme study?

A Levels are studied as separate subjects and almost any combination of courses is possible, although all students receive guidance in linking courses to their future aspirations. By contrast, IB students take literature, a foreign language, a maths and a science subject as part of a coordinated programme. Vocational courses are diferent again in that students focus on a single subject area. These are directly linked to the world of work although progression to university is an option.A Level study is similar to the IB Diploma Programme in being assessed through a mixture of coursework and examinations, whilst vocational subjects are generally
assessed entirely through coursework.

Advantages of studying A Levels

A Level study allows students to specialise very early in their study career. Some students know that they want to study three or four particular subjects because they enjoy them or because they are a means to a specific career or university goal.Students are also able to resit modules that they wish to improve in order to increase their final A Level grade.This also means that students can avoid subject areas that they do not enjoy or that they do not feel will be important to them in their future. Many students also enjoy the opportunity to resit modules when they have not initially been as successful as they would have liked. This is a form of ‘safety net’ feature of A Levels that can allow students a ‘second chance’ to improve their final A Level grades.

What sorts of students are suited to A Levels?

Students who have enjoyed GCSE study, expect to do well and are keen to continue specific subjects that they
enjoy are well suited to A Levels. Students may have a particular career goal in mind and know that specific subjects will prepare them and qualify them to continue their study at university. Students also need to be well motivated and self-disciplined. A Level courses require that students work far more independently than at GCSE.