Parents' Guide to AS & A Level Study

Your comprehensive guide to AS & A Level Study at Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College

What are AS and A Levels?

AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A (Advanced) Level qualifications focus on traditional study skills. They normally take two years to complete full-time. Students can choose from a wide range of academic subjects, as well as some ‘applied’ (work-related) subjects.

AS and A levels are at Level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework. The framework shows how different types of qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.

A Levels: AS plus A2
A levels are made up of the AS Level and the A2. Each part makes up 50 per cent of the overall A Level grade.

AS Level
An AS Level can be taken as either a free standing qualification, or it can be the first half of the full A Level. At the end of the AS year, there are two options:

• Take the AS Level as the final qualification

or

• Continue to the second year and go for the full A Level qualification

Year Two - The A2
In year two of a full A Level, students take the A2 - this is not a separate qualification, but the second half of the A Level. The A2 is designed to deepen the knowledge gained during the AS Level.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
This extra qualification can be taken at AS Level and requires the student to choose a topic of interest, complete an assignment or research project on this topic and deliver a presentation. The EPQ is equivalent in size to half an A Level and requires students to show evidence of planning, preparation, research and independent working. The EPQ earns extra UCAS points, is highly regarded by universities and is recommended for any student planning on applying to Oxford or Cambridge.

Who can take A Levels?
Many students take AS and A Level qualifications in Years 12 and 13, after completing their GCSEs.

Entry Requirements and Subject Choice

Entry Requirements
To study A Levels at Queen Alexandra, students need at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C. Sometimes, you need a grade B or above at GCSE in a particular subject to take it at AS or A Level (see prospectus for full details).

Subjects Available
Queen Alexandra offers a wide range of AS and A Level subjects giving students the chance to continue with subjects taken in years 10 and 11 and/or take new ones.

AS and A2 Subjects available at Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College

• Biology
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Classical Civilisation
• ICT
• English Language
• English Language & Literature
• English Literature
• Further Maths
• Modern Foreign Language (delivered in partnership)
• Geography
• History
• Law
• Maths
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Psychology
• Sociology

The Creative Studios

• Art & Design (Fine Art)
• Drama & Theatre Studies
• Film Studies
• Graphic Design
• Media Studies
• Photography
• Fashion & Textiles

How Many AS Subjects to Choose
Queen Alexandra students study four AS Levels in the first year and then continue with three or four A2 subjects in the second year to gain full A Level qualifications. Some students take the EPQ as well to increase their UCAS points for university entry. Students also follow a functional skills programme (Maths and English) alongside their chosen subjects.

How to Choose the Best Combination of Subjects
When choosing a combination of A Level subjects, it is important that students select the best options to secure a good grade as well as choosing subjects that they will enjoy and fit in with their career plans. Even if a student is not sure where they want to go in life yet, A Level studies will help to broaden their skills and experience to progress to Higher Education at college or university, or to go straight into employment. There can be big differences between GCSE and A Level. It is important to read the content of the course and details of how it is assessed (exams or coursework).

Student Support and Success

Queen Alexandra is the perfect bridge between school and university. We want students to develop some independence, but ensure that they are fully supported every step of the way. From the start, students are set clear expectations on areas such as punctuality, attendance, behaviour, homework and study during free periods.

Personal Learning Plans
All students receive a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) to track their progress and achievements against specific goals, and subject teachers set homework and give feedback on each piece of work showing progress against these individual student targets. We use a system called ProMonitor: an electronic tracking system which flags any concerns and can be accessed by parents to monitor their child’s progress online.

Pastoral Tutors
Every student is allocated a pastoral tutor who will be there to help with their Personal Learning Plan and keep them on track for success. Tutorials are part of the timetable to ensure that progress can be tracked and that students are fully supported throughout their course. This helps students to manage college work through regular one-to-one contact. This helps each individual to become better equipped to meet future employers’ requirements and be ready to progress onto Higher Education courses at college or university.

How Students are Assessed
In most subjects the AS and A2 are each made up of two units, although in some subjects they are each three units. The majority of the assessment is by written exams, although in some subjects there is a small amount of coursework. There is also assessment of practical skills or portfolio generation in subjects like Science or Art. The College prospectus explains the assessment of each AS and A2 subject.

Grades and Marks
AS and A Levels are graded A*to E. January module results are announced in March and end of year results in August. Results slips will also show a score on something called the ‘uniform mark scale’ (UMS). The AS is scored out of 300 UMS marks, and the A Level out of 600 marks.

Predicated Grades for A Level
GCSE results and predicated grades are a good guide to a student’s abilities in a particular subject. Use this information to inform A Level subject choices that are most likely to result in good grades. On the home page of the website www.queenalex.co.uk there is a grade predictor tool which allows students to enter their predicted or actual GCSE results and see what they are likely to achieve as an A Level grade.

Higher Education and Careers

Where can A Levels lead?
A and AS Levels are one of the main routes into Higher Education, but they’re also useful if you want to go straight into a job.

UCAS points
Normally, to take a Higher Education course you will need at least two full A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualification. If you’re applying to university or college, A and AS Levels earn the following points in the 'UCAS Tariff':

Grade	A Level	AS Level
A* A B C D E	140 120 100 80 60 40	n/a 60 50 40 30 20

Parental Support
Parents play a vital role in supporting students and are invited to meet personal tutors to talk about their progress. Parents’ evenings and regular written reports ensure that you can have confidence that student learning and progression is top of the agenda.

Careers Guidance
At Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College, each individual’s learning and development is of paramount importance to us and we take pride in offering the highest level of support and guidance. The College’s Learner Services team has been accredited with the Matrix standard which recognises excellence in delivering information, advice and guidance on learning and work. Our team of dedicated student advisors and transition tutors are there to help with any questions or concerns as well as offering careers guidance to keep students up-to-date with opportunities for the future and how to get there.

Business Ambassadors and the Queen Alexandra Scholarship Programme
Queen Alexandra works with a group of influential business ambassadors who can offer students work placement or internship opportunities. The College is committed to ensuring that students gain work-ready skills and have every opportunity to get involved in real business projects and competitions to enhance their personal statement or CV. Our brand new Scholarship scheme aims to assist high achieving students looking to progress from A Levels to university by matching their needs to business sponsors which can offer them some financial assistance and work placement opportunities.

For more details of scholarships visit www.tynemet.ac.uk/scholarships

A Level Requirements for Degrees

The information below aims to give you some general advice about essential and useful A Level choices for specific degree courses. It is essential that you check university prospectuses for confirmation. Please note that a number of degrees are open to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and it is often the grade that is important rather than the subject.

Accountancy/Maths

Accountancy/Banking/Financial Management
Useful A Levels: Maths, Economics

Mathematics
Essential A Levels: Maths, Further Maths
Useful A Levels: Physics

Business, Computing and Law

Business Studies
Useful A Levels: Maths, Business Studies, Modern
Foreign Languages

Computing
Essential A Levels: for some courses Maths
Useful A Levels: Physics, lCT, Further Maths

Law
Useful A Levels: Law, History, Psychology, English
Literature/Language

Management Studies
Useful A Levels: Maths, Business Studies

Creative Industries Degrees

Art and Design
Essential A Levels: Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography (depending on specialist area of Art and Design)

Drama
Essential A Levels: Drama and Theatre Studies
Useful A Levels: English Literature, English Language

Fashion Industry
Essential A Levels: Fashion and Textiles
Useful A Levels: Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Design, English Language

Media Studies (including Communication Studies)
Essential A Levels: English Language or Literature, Media Studies
Useful A Levels: Sociology, Psychology

Engineering and Construction

Aeronautical Engineering
Essential A Levels: Maths, Physics
Useful A Levels: Design Technology, Further Maths

Architectural Technology
Essential A Levels: Maths, Design Technology
Useful A Levels: Physics, lCT

Architecture
Essential A Levels: Maths and/or Physics, Art
Useful A Levels: Design Technology

Building Services Engineering, Building Surveying, Construction Management
Essential A Levels: Maths and/or Physics

Chemical Engineering
Essential A Levels: Chemistry, Maths, Physics

Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Essential A Levels: Maths, Physics
Useful A Levels: Further Maths, lCT

Engineering (general)
Essential A Levels: Maths, Physics
Useful A Levels: Further Maths, Design Technology, lCT

Mechanical Engineering
Essential A Levels: Maths, Physics
Useful A Levels: Design Technology, Further Maths, lCT

Surveying
Useful A Levels: Maths, Physics

Humanities

Classical Studies
Essential A Levels: For Classical Studies or Classical Civilisations most subjects are accepted Useful A Levels: Modern Foreign Languages, English Literature, History

English
Essential A Levels: English Literature or English Language
Useful A Levels: History, Modern Foreign Language

European Studies
Essential A Levels: Modern Foreign Language
Useful A Levels: Business Studies, English Literature/Language, Sociology

French
Essential A Levels: French
Useful A Levels: another Modern Foreign Language, English Literature, History

History
Essential A Levels: History
Useful A Levels: English Literature, Classical Civilisation, Sociology

History of Art
Useful A Levels: Art, English Literature, History, Modern Foreign Language

Sociology
Useful A Levels: Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Media Studies

Science based Degrees

Anthropology
Useful A Levels: Biology, Sociology

Biochemistry
Essential A Levels: Chemistry
Useful A Levels: Maths, Physics, Biology

Biology
Essential A Levels: Biology, Chemistry
Useful A Levels: Maths, Physics

Chemistry
Essential A Levels: Chemistry, Maths, Physics
Useful A Levels: Biology

Dentistry
Essential A Levels: Chemistry, Biology
Useful A Levels: Maths, Physics

Environmental Science/Studies
Essential A Levels: Two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Geography

Geography
Essential A Levels: Geography
Useful A Levels: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics

Geology/Earth Sciences
Essential A Levels: Two from Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Useful A Levels: Geography

Medicine
Essential A Levels: Chemistry, Biology and either Maths or Physics

Materials Science (including Biomedical Materials Science)
Essential A Levels: Two from Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Biology

Nursing and Midwifery
Useful A Levels: Biology or another science

Occupational therapy
Essential A Levels: Biology
Useful A Levels: Psychology, Physical Education, Sociology or another science

Optometry (Ophthalmic Optics)
Essential A Levels: Two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics

Pharmacy
Essential A Levels: Chemistry and two from Biology, Maths, Physics

Physics
Essential A Levels: Maths, Physics
Useful A Levels: Further Maths, Chemistry

Physiotherapy
Essential A Levels: Biology
Useful A Levels: Chemistry, Maths, Physics

Psychology
Essential A Levels: One from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics
Useful A Levels: Psychology, Sociology

Speech therapy
Essential A Levels: Biology
Useful A Levels: Chemistry, Physics, Modern Foreign Language, English Language (and Literature), Psychology

Sports Science/Physical Education
Essential A Levels: One from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics
Useful A Levels: Business Studies, Physical Education, Psychology

Veterinary Science
Essential A Levels: Chemistry, Biology and one from Maths or Physics

Teaching/Education

Childhood Studies and Education (not teacher training)
Useful A Levels: Sociology, Psychology, English Language

Teacher training (primary and/or secondary)
Essential A Levels: at least one from the area in which you want to specialise.
Useful A Levels: English Language, English Literature, lCT

Useful Links and Contacts

View Queen Alexandra’s DVD and hear what our current students think of the sixth form college at www.vimeo.com/channels/queenalex.

Look at the College Prospectus for details of AS and A2 course content.

Call 0191 229 5123 to speak to a student advisor at Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College.

Visit www.ucas.com for information on Higher Education entry requirements and links to university websites.