AS and A Level Coursework

About A Levels

A levels (also sometimes called General Certificates of Education or GCEs) are the most popular qualification for UK students of 16 plus.

There's no official age limit but most schools and colleges will want you to have passed 5 GCSEs before they'll take you for an A Level course. If you're coming back to education this requirement may be waived if you can show some relevant experience.

Alternatives to A Levels could be the International Baccalaureate, or for practical or vocational subjects NVQs or a BTEC.

A Levels: What Will I Study?

It's up to you! There are A Levels in as many subjects as there are at GCSE. Schools and colleges won't usually try to teach them all so you may have to shop around if you're set on A Level Mandarin or Latin.

People with normal sized brains take 2 years to complete an A Level course, and most full-time students take 3 or 4 subjects.

A useful change to the traditional A Level course has been the introduction of AS Levels. These are worth half a full A Level and can be completed in a year as part of a full A Level course. They can help you monitor your progress and work out which of your subjects need more effort.

Assessment for A Levels is by a mixture of coursework and exam, although the share of the marks can vary with different exam boards. Coursework.info has lots of examples of coursework for all the main A Level subjects.

Those studying foreign languages at A Level will have an oral as part of their exams.

A Levels... What Comes Next?

Passing A Levels makes you more attractive to employers so you could head straight into a job.

If you want to continue to study then university and a degree could be your next stop. Be warned though, you need to think carefully about your A Level choices if you're set on a particular career. Medical schools prefer those who have science A Levels, and the posher universities can be sniffy about some A Level subjects.

Checking with your careers advisor before you choose your options is a sensible move.

External links to more information about A Levels.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/DG_10039018

http://www.connexions-direct.com/

http://www.educationalresources.co.uk/students.htm