A Levels

‘A’ Level courses are rigorous, two-year long courses which lead to university entrance.  They are specialist academic courses and are therefore an excellent preparation for the demands of top-class universities. Most of our ‘A’ Level students graduate to good universities in the UK, and ‘A’ Levels are a valued mode of entry to universities world-wide.

‘A’ Level courses make great demands upon the organisational capabilities and intellectual powers of students. The strength of ‘A’ Levels is that they stretch the most able and allow the student to embark upon quite specialised study of his or her chosen subjects. They offer the challenge and adventure of new, intellectual peaks to climb and they mould the student into an autonomous learner.

Much of the work has to be carried out by the student independently. You will have to carry out your own background reading, note-making and research. You may also have to submit coursework.

You take ‘AS’ levels in the first year of your course.  These will be examined at the end of the first year and the results will be available to the universities when they make their offers during the second year of your course. During this second year you take ‘A2’ Levels (the second half) of the ‘A’ Level course.

Most students taking ‘A’ Levels will opt for 4 ‘AS’ Levels in the first year and carry 3 of them on into the second year as ‘A2’ courses. There is the flexibility however to take up a new ‘AS’ course in the Upper Sixth if it is appropriate. To succeed you will have to be well-motivated, well-organised and determined. The correct choice of subjects will be a vital ingredient in your success.