A levels explained
What are A levels and who do they suit?
Of all the further education pathways, A levels are the most traditional and academic. Young people often choose them because they want to go to university (although note that most universities now accept BTECs) and/or they have a clear career goal in mind (eg studying STEM subjects to enter a STEM career). Their focus on analytical thinking and research skills means they are best suited to motivated and intellectually curious students.
A levels are offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, although in Scotland, the norm is for students to take Highers and/or Advanced Highers instead
Alternatives to A levels
For students after a more holistic education or more vocational learning paths, there are plenty of alternatives.
What are AS levels?
In the past, students could sit their AS (Advanced Subsidiary) levels in year 12 and, if they continued the subject into year 13 (A2), the grades would contribute to their overall A level grade. While this is no longer offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland still offer AS levels, which are worth 40 per cent of the total A level grade and up to 20 UCAS tariff points.
What do A levels tell you about a school?
A level results provide a useful lens into how academic a school or college is. Our reviews list the percentage of A*/A and of A*-B so that you can make direct comparisons. The institutions’ websites usually provide further breakdowns (across all grades and grades within individual subjects – and perhaps even a gender breakdown). Some also provide a ‘value added’ measure (which shows how far students progress beyond their expected level of achievement), which arguably tells you even more about the quality of teaching.
Subjects offered provide further insights. The most academic schools tend to offer only the most academic subjects – whereas schools and colleges catering for more mixed ability usually offer a wider range, and some allow you to mix and match with, eg BTECs.
How to choose your A level subjects?
The five main exam boards provide assessments in around 85 A level subjects altogether, although most institutions offer fewer than half this number. Do check the school or college that you have in mind offers the subjects you want – and furthermore, that they can offer the subject combination you want (thus avoiding any timetable clashes).
Careful consideration needs to be given when you decide on your A level subjects. If you are planning to apply to a Russell Group university, give some thought to ‘facilitating subjects’ (maths and certain sciences, humanities and languages) which these institutions favour.
You may be asked for your A level subject choices (usually three or four) during year 11 to help with timetabling. However, you won’t have to make a final decision (timetable permitting) until after your GCSE results – not least so the school or college can check you meet their minimum criteria. As a bare minimum, most look for at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including in English and maths, but some are far stricter (eg nine grade 7s for some selective grammars). There may be additional subject specific criteria too (eg a grade 7 in maths to study maths).
If you’re struggling to choose, some schools and colleges (again, timetable permitting) will let (or even encourage) you to start with more subjects than you plan to study, with a view to dropping one within the first few months.
When will I take A levels?
A levels are typically taken over a two-year period, with exams in May and June of year 13. Exams tend to combine essay-style questions, short-answer questions, multiple-choice questions and practical assessments, depending on the subject. In some cases, there may be some examined coursework, practical tasks, research projects or extended essays too.
A level grades and how are they used?
A level grades are awarded on a scale from A* to E, with A* being the highest and E the lowest passing grade. U (Ungraded) denotes a fail.
Grade | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|
A* | 90-100 | Outstanding |
A | 80-89 | Excellent |
B | 70-79 | Good |
C | 60-69 | Satisfactory |
D | 50-59 | Adequate |
E | 40-49 | Limited |
U | Below 40 | Ungraded |
Most schools and colleges will give you a predicted grade before your exams – usually based on a combination of mock exam results, coursework and teachers’ judgment. These can help universities and employers decide whether to offer a place or provisional place.
What happens on A level results day?
A level results day is usually the Thursday closest to the middle of August, with results released at 8am. Students can collect their results at their school or college or receive them by post, email or online. UCAS also receives the results so that students can confirm or decline their university offers and explore ‘clearing’ (finding alternative courses and/or universities) if necessary.
Re-takes and A levels
Students can re-take any A level as often as they want, whether to meet university entry requirements or to improve their overall academic profile. Re-takes are typically held in May or June.
