Get Organised - Calderdale and Kirklees Careers Service Partnership

A and AS levels - GCE Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary
A Levels
• These are the main qualifications taken for entry to higher education.
• Schools and sixth form colleges offer A and AS levels.
• A levels are offered in over 40 subjects, including similar subjects to
GCSE, such as English, physics and history.
• Most A levels comprise four units: two at AS level and two at A2;
exceptions include science subjects and music which have six. AS levels
are qualifications in their own right and are completed in Year 12. A2
units are harder and completed in Year 13.
• AS and A levels are graded A*- E.
• At 16-18, most full-time students study A levels over two years and
need at least five or six GCSEs at grade A*-C or equivalent to begin a
course.
• Study at GCSE level may be required for some subjects such as
languages and science.
A and AS levels in Applied Subjects are offered as:
- AS - comprising three units
- AS (Double Award) - comprising six AS units
- A Level - comprising three AS units and three A2 units
- A Level (Double Award) - comprising six AS units and six A2 units
• They are graded in the same way as A and AS levels.
• Areas of study include applied art and design, applied business, applied
ICT, and health and social care.
• A levels in applied subjects include more work-related assignments
than A levels and assessment is through coursework and fewer exams.
• A levels are offered by Edexcel, AQA and OCR.
For more about advanced courses see pages 28-31.
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