A-Level

What is an A Level?
Cambridge International AS and A Levels are internationally benchmarked qualifications providing excellent preparation for university education. They are taken in over 125 countries. Cambridge International AS and A Level qualifications are widely recognised and valued by universities and employers alike. Some US universities give up to a year’s credit as a result. Every year, thousands of Cambridge International A-Level students gain places at good universities worldwide – including the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Why Study A Levels?
A Levels are one of the hardest and most robust qualifications that can be achieved by High School students worldwide. The content is of a highly academic nature and in many countries an A Level is equivalent to the first year of a degree course. As a result, students are provided with an excellent academic grounding in their areas of interest creating a very smooth transition between High School and University.
The A Levels provide a great basis for the study of advanced level English and even if students’ university applications do not directly benefit from the qualification, the indirect impact on their quality of English is significant. A Levels also develop key academic skills such as essay writing and experimental techniques as well as developing a keen interest within the subject area.
What subjects are offered?
Due to the intensive nature of the A Level course the material can only be covered by an expert within the field. As a result we require our teachers to have a minimum of an A Level themselves within the subject area although most of our teachers have studied their subject at degree level. Due to this requirement the courses that we can offer are more limited as we want to ensure that our students are provided with the highest standard of tuition.
Currently we offer…
History
Biology
Chemistry
Economics
Mathematics
Global Perspectives
Thinking Skills
If demand is great enough we can also offer
Geography
Further Mathematics
Physics
Students typically take between 3 and 4 A Level subjects and many specialise in the Sciences.
A Level Grades
The A Level grading system is similar to that of the IGCSEs. At AS Level the grades range from E (Pass) to A. At A Level an A* grade is available for students achieving over 90% in their A Level modules. Top Universities such as Oxford and Cambridge in the UK and Seoul National University in South Korea typically ask for AAA/A*AA grades for prospective students.
What is the difference between an AS and an A Level?
The A Level is split into two parts, normally taught over two years. The first half of the course is referred to as the AS level and candidates typically take the exams for this part of the course at the end of this first year. The A Level includes the AS level plus the second half of the course. The A Level grade is an average of both halves of the course. Each half counts equally towards the final grade. If they wish, students may take only the AS level which counts as half of an A Level and is recognised as a separate qualification.
A Level Examinations
The A Level examinations take place in November and May/June. At our school most students take the examinations in the May/June period. Students typically sit 2-3 module exams after they complete the AS level course and 2-3 module exams the following year to complete the full A Level. For some subjects one of these modules is based on practical or coursework. For example, in Biology students carry out an investigation with the use of a microscope.
Further Information
For further information regarding the AS and A Level exams please go to the Cambridge website http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/uppersec/alevel or contact our school directly. Further information regarding our teachers and their relevant qualifications can be found in the staff section of our school website.