A Levels are a two year qualification
and are the most common
qualification followed by full-time
students between 16 and 18 in the
country. They are available in a wide
range of subjects - there are over 50
courses available at KGV: they
include many subjects familiar to
GCSE students, but also a wide range
of exciting new subjects such as
Psychology, Classical Civilisation and
Geology. A full list of available courses
is given in this Prospectus – it includes
‘academic’ courses (such as
Philosophy and Modern Languages)
and more ‘practical’ or ‘vocational’
courses (such as Art or Business
Studies).
The majority of A Level students at
KGV progress into degree courses at
university, but the qualification is also
very highly respected by employers
for students looking at employment
after study and many KGV students
follow this route successfully each
year.
Since the year 2000, A Levels have
been divided into two parts: AS and
A2. For most students AS examinations
are taken in their first year in the sixth
form, and then A2 in the second year:
AS and A2 each count for half of the
full A level mar.s
AS qualifications have value as ‘stand
alone’ qualifications, but A2 acts only
as the second half of an A Level.
Most subjects have two modules for
AS and two for A2: these modules are
mainly assessed by examination, but
in some subjects coursework or other
assignments also contribute
significantly to the final grade.
Successful candidates gain grades
from A* to E at A level.
The normal pattern across the country
is for students to take 4 (or sometimes
5) subjects at AS level in the first year,
then specialise in their 3 (or 4) best
subjects at A2 in the second year.
Most students will then have one
AS and three full A levels (AS + A2)
at the end of their course.
Students who perform less well in
any module are normally able to
retake the module at a later date
to boost the AS and A level
grades achieved – the A level is
based on the best four module
results!
A Levels allow students to
concentrate on the subjects in
which they are most interested
and in which they can produce
their best performance. A vast
range of combinations of
different subjects is possible and
the college will give advice on
which combinations are most
suitable.

