The Cottesloe Sixth
Form
2015-2016
Unreformed A Levels
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• Design Technology
Geography
• French
Geology
• Health & Social Care
Maths
Law
Film
Physical Education
Advanced Level Examinations
Un Reformed A levels
Two Year Course
Public examinations at the end of Year 12
and 13
Some subjects have a coursework element
Results are graded A* to E
Advanced Level Examinations
Un Reformed A levels
Year 12
AS Level 50% of Final A Level Grade
Year 13
A2 Level 50% of final A Level grade
BTEC/Cambridge Technical Level 3
Qualifications
These are equivalent to one A Level
They are graded at
Pass (Equivalent to an E at A Level)
Merit (Equivalent to a C at A Level)
Distinction (Equivalent to a B at A Level)
Distinction* (Equivalent to an A at A Level)
Advanced Level Examinations
Reformed A Levels
Psychology
Sociology
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Art
English Language & Literature
English Literature
History
Reformed A Levels
AS Level and A2 Levels are now separate
qualifications – They have been ‘decoupled’
An AS exam result in a subject will no longer
contributes to the final A2 grade
A full A Level is now a two year course with the
grade based entirely on exams at the end of
Year 13
BTEC/Cambridge Technical Level 3
Qualifications
They are a two year course and assessment is
based entirely on coursework and have no
terminal exam.
Students will complete six individual units
(Three in each year)
Reformed A Levels
After consultation with Universities
and other Sixth Forms we have
decided that next year we will
follow the common model which
is to only offer the full A2 course
in the reformed subjects
Implications
• Students will still select 4 courses
• That will (normally) include a maximum of
three reformed ‘A’ Levels
• They will need to drop the unreformed
subject at the end of year 12. None of the
Reformed ‘A’ Levels can be dropped once
they have been started
BTEC/Cambridge Technical Level 3
Qualifications
• Students can study a maximum of three of
these courses plus an Extended Project
Qualification (EPQ)
• They can be done in conjunction with other
A Levels
• The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
can only be done in addition to three other
courses
Example
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Student A
History (Reformed)
Physics (Reformed)
Chemistry (Reformed)
Geology (Unreformed)
Geology will be dropped
at the end of year 12
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Student B
Psychology
Physical education
Forensic Science
Geography
Student will drop either
Physical Education or
Geography at the end
of year 12
Example
Student C
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Sociology (Reformed)
Physics (Reformed)
Chemistry (Reformed)
Extended Project
Qualification (EPQ)
EPQ will be completed at
the end of year 12 and
student will continue the
other three subjects into
year 13
Student D
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Film
Physical education
ICT
Geography
Student will drop either
Physical Education,
Geography or Film at
the end of year 12
Example
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Student E
Forensic Science
Business Studies
Travel & Tourism
EPQ
EPQ will be completed in
Year 12
All other subjects are
continued into Year 13
Extended Project Qualification
(EPQ)
Extends abilities beyond A Level specification
Carries extra UCAS points - an AS Level
Self directed project, rather like a dissertation, which
encourages critical, reflective and independent
learners
Develops decision making, problem solving and
presentation skills
Increases motivation as students study a topic of
personal interest
Student Interviews
Where do you want to go in life?
What are the right courses?
• Ones that help you get where you
want to go
• University
• Apprenticeships
• Further education
• Full time work
What are the right courses?
Ones that you are likely to
succeed in
Where can I look?
• Universities – The Russell Group
• Apprenticeships – Check Sixth Form
website
• Universal job match website
What else?
• Current working levels compared to target
grades
• Current working level compared to entry
criteria
• Mock exam results
• Attendance
• Attitude to learning
Option Blocks
• Built on a ‘best fit’ principle according
to the students initial requests
• Nearly all will get at least their first
three choices
• One or two may have two clashes
• Students can change their minds up
until they start the course in September
Applying To
University
Looking Ahead from Year 11:
Laying the Foundations for a
Competitive HE Application
Choosing A levels: Some
Guidelines
If the choice of a post-A level course or career is not yet clear it is
best to choose a balance of A levels that will be enjoyed.
However:
 Certain career and course options after A level will
particular A levels
require
 The more competitive universities have identified some A levels as
not being a suitable preparation for some of their more academic
courses if more than one of them is taken.
University Application
Process: Route ahead
• Application process starts in earnest after AS exams but start
thinking and planning earlier than this.
• You apply online for up to 5 universities through UCAS by 15
January except for some art courses (24 March)
• For Medicine, Vet Science/Medicine or Dentistry you only apply
to 4 universities (plus one other course) with a 15 October
deadline
• Oxford and Cambridge have a 15 October deadline. Apply to one
or other not both
• IMPORTANT: apply early in September/ October period
Some University Courses will Require
Particular A levels
• Generally, medical schools require Chemistry at A level and often
ask for Biology as well. Some may accept two science AS levels
in place of one A level science subject. One other science
subject is also often required, for example Physics or Maths.
• Dental schools require Chemistry at A level and often ask for
Biology as well.
• Vet schools vary in their requirements but you will probably be
expected to have Chemistry as an AS or A level together with two
from Biology Physics or Maths.
• Not surprisingly, many degree courses will require
that the subject itself has been studied at A level! eg
Maths
• There are some courses at university for which
studying that subject at A level is not necessary. Law
and Psychology are examples of this
UK Universities
• There are 340 institutions currently
offering full degree courses in the
United Kingdom alone.
• There are expected to be 38,000
courses available for the next
application round
Applying to High Status Universities:
The Russell Group
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The Russell Group is an association of 24 research intensive
universities committed to maintaining the highest standards of
research, education and knowledge transfer.
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The Russell Group was formed in 1994 at the Russell Hotel in
London.
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Many of the most competitive and prestigious courses will be
found at Russell Group universities
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However, some competitive and prestigious individual courses
might well be in other institutions.
The Russell group represents 12% of the higher
education sector
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Beware!!! They do not always offer the best courses.
Check Guardian & Times league tables foe specific course ratings
The Russell Group
Universities
Birmingham
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Durham
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Imperial College, London
King’s College, London
Leeds
Liverpool
London School of Economics
Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
Queen Mary, London
Queen’s University Belfast
Oxford
Sheffield
Southampton
University College, London
Warwick
York
What do the Russell Group Say
about A level Subject Choice?
An excellent
downloadable
PDF guide to
post-16
subject choice
http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/informed-choices.aspx
What Qualities are Universities
Looking for?
• Self motivation and commitment to the subject
• That you have done more than the syllabus demands
• That you can think critically and independently
• Ability to think conceptually and can engage with ideas
• ‘Students who stick up for themselves stand out. What
we are looking for is a student who can address issues in a
logical fashion, reason from premises to conclusion. Even
if a student is hesitant or shy, how well they think will still
be evident.’ Professor Thomas Noe, Oxford
Apply online through UCAS
(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
in Cheltenham
The competitive advantage
Gaining a place at university or college has three
stages:
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Research Start now!!
• The UCAS application
• Consideration by HEIs
We offer a structured programme
of preparation for HE
 A structured Programme of Preparation from the start
of Year 12
 University interview preparation and practice
 An Oxbridge/Russell group Application Programme
 The EPQ
 Session for parents
 Extracurricular activities
 University visist and University Fair
Oxbridge/Russell Group
Application Programme
 We have a partnership with Pembroke college Cambridge and
Somerville College Oxford. Only available to non selective
schools
 Member of staff with responsibility for this cohort to advise on
course and college choice
 Visits to Oxbridge
 Specialist advice
Other HE support
 UCAS Days – during Year 12 and early Year 13.
Personal statement writing, application process
 Specialist Russell Group application conferences
 Interview preparation and ‘mock’ interviews
 Additional material on applying for competitive
courses
Sessions for Parents
• To help parents help support students
• September and February
• Information of the programme, process,
finance etc
A Proven Record of HE Success
Matthew
A*AA
Material
Sciences
James AAAB
Natural Sciences
Durham
Adam AAB
Geology at
Birmingham
Imperial
Teodora
Serena
A*A*AB
A*A*A
English at
Goldsmiths
Alice
A*AAA
Chemistry at
Southampton
Philosophy at
Bristol
Abi ABB
History UEA
Zoe ABB
Law at
Southampton
Sophie
A*AAB Law
at Durham
Kelly AAB
Law at
Exeter