What we offer
Advanced Programmes
Study at Advanced Level provides the qualifications required for entry into the professions and into courses at universities and other institutions of higher education. It is a challenging two-year programme and the work is demanding but enjoyable.
You will find the Advanced Level system very flexible; you are able to study three or four subjects in the first year and it is easy to combine subjects and different styles of learning. Many courses have modular exams in January and June and there are external exams and qualifications at the end of both years of the two year programme.
There are various options available at Advanced Level.
Please study the detailed course descriptions to gain a better appreciation of the differences between the various types of courses.
Advanced & Advanced Subsidiary - A & AS Levels
After one year you will be able to gain Advanced Subsidiary qualifications. These are called AS Levels and are equivalent to half of a full A Level.
At the end of two years you will be able to gain full A Levels in subjects where you have already achieved an AS qualification at the end of year one. The second year of the A Level course is called A2.
Advanced Levels in Applied Subjects
A number of Advanced Levels are offered in applied areas and can be taken in combination with other A Level subjects. You will notice that in some subjects there are two types of Advanced Level courses available, for example, Media and Media: Communication & Production. The latter course is an applied A Level.
Applied A Levels have the same grading system as other A Levels but there are important differences between the courses:
- Applied A Levels usually have a greater emphasis on coursework with fewer external exams
- Some Applied A Levels can be taken as double awards to give two A Levels at the end of the course
Advanced Diplomas
Advanced Diplomas are new qualifications that blend theoretical study with practical and applied learning to give breadth of knowledge and experience. Diplomas have been developed in partnership with employers and universities to reflect modern industrial practice and the demands of degree courses
Advanced diplomas are studied to the same standard as AS/A2 Levels and include an extended project and structured work experience.
As well as studying their chosen subjects to a high academic standard, Diploma students also develop their skills in English, Maths and ICT.
Diplomas are studied over two years and for 2010 QE will offer Advanced Diplomas in two areas: IT and Creative & Media. Most students who opt for either of these courses will choose one other AS Level to study alongside the Diploma.
Please study the detailed course descriptions to gain a better appreciation of the differences between the various types of courses available at Advanced Level.
Entry Requirements
Most students study four AS Levels or the equivalent in their first year. To take this full Advanced Level course we require at least three B grades and three C grades at GCSE including Maths and English Language. Students who do not achieve these GCSE grades take fewer subjects at A Level. The minimum entry requirement for an Advanced Level course of two AS subjects (or equivalent) plus other courses such as GCSE resits is five C grades at GCSE including either Maths or English Language.
Some students achieve very high grades at GCSE and are allowed to take five subjects at AS Level, taking three or very occasionally four of these through to A2 in their second year.
The College is large enough to have a flexible timetable that allows students to take almost any combination of subjects at Advanced Level. Students can also take a mixed programme of A Levels and GCSEs. For example, Advanced Level students may retake GCSE Maths or English if they do not obtain a grade C at the end of Year 11. The advantage of this system is that you can tailor your programme to suit your needs and abilities. We give lots of advice if you decide to apply to the College.
At the end of the first year you will take external AS exams in each of your Advanced subjects. In the second year the courses become more demanding and you will probably wish to take fewer subjects at A2; most students continue with three of the subjects taken at AS. It may also be possible to start a new AS subject in the second year. At the end of the two years most students will therefore have taken three Advanced courses right through from AS to A2 and one or two other subjects to AS Level.
Subject Choices
There are over forty subjects available. Several such as Art & Design, Mathematics and History offer a number of different options. There are also subjects not available in schools such as Economics, Sociology, Archaeology, Psychology, Geology, Philosophy. Some A Levels in applied/vocational areas offer double or single award courses.
Our advice is to choose subjects that you find enjoyable but to be aware that the combinations can be important for some careers and some courses at university. Our liaison and careers staff will give you clear advice and guidance on this important decision.
GCSEs
A limited number of GCSE subjects are offered:
English Language
Mathematics
Leisure & Tourism
Spanish
GCSE provision is currently being reviewed.
Community Education
All daytime courses are open to adults on a full or part-time basis.
The HEFC Access to Higher Education course is designed specifically for students who have been out of education for sometime to enable progression to university normally after one year at College. A wide range of modules can be studied and no formal qualifications are necessary for entry. Adults may also study to gain Advanced and GCSE qualifications. We welcome applications from committed adults and provide guidance to ensure the selection of appropriate courses.
The College also offers the BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art & Design. This is a post-A Level, pre-degree course for those who wish to further progress their study of Art.
In addition there is an extensive programme of part-time courses in the evenings. There are academic and vocational courses leading to Advanced Level, GCSE and NOCN/OCN qualifications; recreational courses are also offered.
For further information please look at the Community Education pages or contact Janet Hillyard, Adult & Community Education Co-ordinator jhillyard@qeliz.ac.uk.