Jump to content

GCE AS/A levels: Overview

Last updated: 15 Nov 2007

This page provides an overview of the GCE AS/A level and provides a comprehensive list of subjects available. Click on the link below to be directed to links to specialist subject pages:

Overview

The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) is a stand-alone qualification and is valued as half a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units (assessed at the standard expected for a student half way through an A level course) that contribute 50 per cent of the full A level. The A2 is the second half of a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units (assessed at the standard expected for a student at the end of a full A level course) that are worth 50 per cent of the full A level qualification.
Most units are assessed by examination. Some are assessed by internal assessment. The AS covers the less demanding material in an A level course. The A2 covers the more demanding material. For example, in the A2, students might:

  • specialise in an area they studied at AS
  • extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject by studying new topics
  • improve their skills.
Also in the A2, students will combine knowledge, understanding and skills from across the A level course through synoptic assessment.

Revised A level specifications are being introduced in September 2008, with a new A* grade awarded from 2010 to those students who have achieved:

  • a grade A overall at A level and
  • the A* on an aggregated A2, i.e. 180 out of 200 UMS for the combined scores of the two A2 units.

The A* grade will not be awarded at AS level because the more challenging material is introduced at A2 only.

Back to top

List of subjects

There are too many languages to list below but individual subjects can be accessed via the modern foreign languages homepage through the 14-19 subjects link above. Those subjects offered at AS level only have been highlighted in bold.

Accounting Archaeology Art and Design
Biblical Hebrew Biology Business Studies
Chemistry Citizenship Studies Classical Civilisation
Classics Communication and Culture Computing
Critical Thinking Dance Design and Technology
Drama and Theatre Studies Economics Economics and Business Studies
Electronics English Language English Language and Literature
English Literature Environmental Studies Film Studies
French General Studies Geography
Geology German Government and Politics
History History of Art Home Economics
Human Biology Information and Communication Technology Law
Mathematics Mathematics (use of) Media Studies
Moving Image Arts Music Music Technology
Performance Studies Philosophy Physical Education
Physics Psychology Religious Studies
Science Science in Society Sociology
Spanish Statistics Welsh
World Development

Back to top

Back to top