A GUIDE TO AS AND A2
OPTIONS
For Year 11 Pupils and Parents
How important is my choice?
• The A-levels you choose can have a major
impact on what you can study at degree
level and hence your career path
• It is important to get your A-level choices
right
Our Role
• To help our students make an informed
choice of A-level subjects
• To offer a suitable range of subjects
A-levels
• A-levels are recognised worldwide as
university entrance qualifications
• Staged assessment, AS then A2
• They are academically demanding
AS Studies in the L6th
• Number of subjects. (Universities will expect you
to have studied 4 subjects)
• The expected depth of understanding is
much greater than at IGCSE level
• A high work ethic is essential
IGCSE Results Required by
Universities
• B grade English is often required for Science
and Engineering courses
• B grade Maths is often required for Business
and Humanities courses
• A*s are important, the more the better! (if you
want to study medicine you will need 5 or more A*
grades including English, Maths and Science)
A-level Subjects Offered at
Peponi
• Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths,
Further Maths
• English Literature, Geography, History,
Economics, French, Spanish, German
• Art and Design, Business Studies,
Computing, Music, Physical Education,
Psychology, Religious Education.
IGCSE Results Required By
Peponi
• In order to study an AS subject you should
have at least a B grade at IGCSE in that or
a related subject
• You need at least 5 IGCSEs at C grade or
above
• The A level grading system has a range A*
to E. If you only have the minimum entry
grades this will equate with the lower A
level grades
The Option Grid and the
Timetable
• The grid is designed to offer sensible subject
combinations and meet the needs of our
students
• Option blocks: subjects in the same block are
taught at the same time.
• Keep us informed, particularly if you want to
study Spanish, German, Music, Physical
Education or Religious Education
An Example of an Option
Choice Grid
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
Block 4
Block 5
Literature in
English AS
Music AS
Geography AS
Mathematics AS
History AS
Business
Studies AS
French AS
Chemistry AS
Psychology AS
Computing AS
Geography AS
Economics AS
Art and Design
AS
Economics AS
Spanish AS
Physical
Education AS
Physics AS
Further Maths
Biology AS
Geography AS
Biology AS
Making the Right Choice
• Read the booklet
• Review your strengths and weaknesses and decide what
type of student you are
• Talk to your subject teachers and 6th form students
• Research careers, courses and entry requirements
• Look for the best combination of subjects
Does it always matter?
Some popular degrees courses do not mind
what A-level subjects you have studied as
long as you have good grades
A few examples: Accountancy, Business
Studies, Law, Management Studies,
Media Studies, Philosophy, Psychology,
Sociology
Facilitating Subjects - Keep
Your Options Open
Maths and Further Maths
English Literature
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Geography
History
A Modern Foreign Language
Economics
Hard and Soft Subjects
• All A-level subjects are supposed to be
equally rigorous and demanding
• So called “soft” subjects usually have a
vocational or practical bias, “hard” subjects
are theoretical
• The facilitating subjects are all “hard”
subjects
Subject Balance
• You should choose at least two facilitating
subjects
• Unless you are certain you know what you
want to study at university choose your
third and fourth AS subject for breadth and
interest
Categories of Students!
Which category do you fall into?
• The Scientist
• The Essay Writer
• The Linguist
• The Artist
The Scientist
Biological/Life Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Maths or a humanities subject
Physical Science
• Physics
• Maths
• Chemistry or a humanities subject
The Essay Writer
A combination from:
•
•
•
•
•
English Literature
History
Geography
Psychology
Economics
The Linguist
• French
• Spanish
• German
• Two other subjects in science or humanities
The Artist
• Art and Design
• Two other subjects in science or the humanities
• A good portfolio
The Five Point Guide
1. If you think you know what to study at university check
the entry requirements and choose the subjects
required
2. If you are not sure, keep your options open by choosing
at least two facilitation subjects
3. Make sure your IGCSE results are good enough for
what you want to do
4. Choose subjects that reflect your strengths and
interests
5. Be clear in your own mind why you want to study a
subject. Check all the facts!
Keep a cool head on A-level
choices.
Oxford Mail
• Think of where you want to be and work
backwards
• Find subjects that you are genuinely
interested in
• Good results come from choosing a
subject you’re passionate about as well as
good teaching
• Match the subjects you like to your target
degree