Yr 2 Extension Courses
Spring 2013
AS Citizenship
•
AS Citizenship is open to all second year
students.
•
It is a combination of topics drawn from
Government and Politics, Law and Sociology.
•
It carries the same UCAS points as any other
AS subject and is recognised by all
universities
•
Students sit two examinations in May.
• Learning activities include group work, individual
research tasks, discussions, and teacher led activities.
• There will be opportunities for taking part in trips to
the Houses of Parliament, student conferences and
various types of courts/tribunals.
• Students will be informed about and encouraged to
take part in citizenship activities in college and in the
community.
• There will also be opportunities to attend
presentations given by visiting speakers such as MP’s
and representatives from pressure groups.
AS/A2
Critical Thinking
• Better A Level
results
=
• Better Uni
prospects
• Better job
prospects
• Better life!
AS/A2 Critical Thinking
• AS Critical Thinking directly follows on from ‘Thinking and
Reasoning Skills’, building on what you have already learned.
• An opportunity to turn your TRS skills into a full AS level.
• The latest research shows that students who study
Critical Thinking tend to do better in their other A Levels.
• Critical Thinking could help with UCAS applications and
interviews. The skills are highly valued by universities &
the qualification may count for UCAS point offers.
• Many university entrance tests (e.g. LNAT/BMAT) are
based on CT skills, which the AS will help prepare you for.
AS/A2 Critical Thinking
• Two exams in May/June.
• Exam preparation won’t interfere at all with your other
subjects – in fact, it will help you to do better in them.
• For those who have done AS Critical Thinking in your
first year - you can take it atA2 in your second year.
• Look at the QE Online site for more information or speak
to Paul Joseph (room M27).
Extended Project Qualification
The Extended Project is an opportunity to do a piece of
extended work on an area of interest to you.
What it involves is:-
•Choosing an area of interest – this may be related to an
aspect of your A-level work, or something entirely
different.
•You come up with a title for the project, and what you are
aiming to do
•You plan, research & carry out the project, keeping
records of everything you do.
•You deliver a presentation on the project, where you are
asked questions about it.
Extended Project Qualification
The finished project could be…
• a written report
• a book or guide
• a performance
• a piece of art
• an exhibition
• a piece of music or a film
• a website or a piece of computer software
• a model or construction
• a video diary
Extended Project Qualification
• The University welcomes applications from students who have
taken the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). We see this as
positive evidence of motivation to explore a subject in greater
depth, as well as an opportunity for further development of
analytical, critical thinking and independent research skills. If your
results fall short of the offer level by a small margin, for example
one A-level grade, your Extended Project result will be taken into
account by the academic admissions selector.
University of Essex
• From now on all applicants for our Humanities courses (excluding
Music), and Human and Social Sciences courses (excluding Maths)
undertaking an EPQ will be made an alternative offer alongside our
traditional offer.
Extended Project Qualification
(continued)
• The alternative offer will be one grade reduced from our
traditional offer in exchange for an A in the EPQ. It is our hope
that this will send out a clear message to students that we value
the EPQ, and appreciate the hard work that goes into completing
one.
University of Southampton
• [We] encourage students to complete an EPQ, where possible, as
we value the development of skills in independent study and
research, which an EPQ can offer. … an EPQ in the subject that is
related to the course or discipline that you wish to progress into …
may be taken into account by admissions tutors when making
decisions between applicants of equal academic standing.
University of Sheffield
AS General Studies
What will I learn?
• The course is designed to encourage a keen understanding of
contemporary issues and current affairs.
• Students are taught to present logical arguments and to
interpret the relative merit of different pieces of evidence.
• Studying General Studies helps you to develop critical thinking,
debating, communication and essay-writing skills.
• The course enables you to make use of and build on the
specialist knowledge you already have and broaden your
knowledge of areas you know less about.
• The main topic areas are Science & Technology, Politics &
Society, Arts & Media, Business & Industry and Beliefs &
Values.
AS General Studies
How will I learn?
• Taught blocks and independent study.
• Students need to take an interest in current affairs
outside of class.
• Lessons are varied, and include class discussion, group
research, student presentations, relevant DVDs and
newspaper articles, worksheets and practice questions.
What next?
• A good grade will show that you have studied a broad
curriculum and can think critically and flexibly and
communicate clearly about a range of contemporary issues.
• Many university courses make offers which count AS
General Studies as equivalent to any other AS level
subject. However, each course sets its own grade/points
requirements, so do your research carefully!
Asset Languages
• An opportunity to learn a
completely new language
(“beginners’ level”) or to improve
your skills in one you have already
studied (“intermediate level”).
• The languages available are
German, Italian, Spanish, and
French.
• Work in lessons will include role
play activities, listening tasks, and
reading, with a mixture of pair
work, group activities and
individual work.
Guten Tag?
Hola? Salut?
Zdravstvuj ?
Hej? Ciao?
Asset Languages
The work covered on the course leads to certification
via a test at the end of the year in one or more skill
(speaking, listening, reading, writing).
(Examination board: OCR)
At beginners’ level the topics you
cover may include the family,
shopping, daily routine, eating out,
and asking for directions.
Asset Languages
Why study a language?
Languages give you the edge in the job market. A
recent survey showed that European languages, in
particular French and German, are highly sought after
by employers. 74% of employers are looking for
people with conversational competence.
Learning languages gives you greater opportunities
to travel and work abroad.
Universities value languages. UCL, for instance,
requires a Modern Language GCSE at grade C or
above for all of its programmes. (Otherwise
undergraduates must take a language course at UCL.)
Certificate in Financial Studies
The course has been designed by the Institute of Financial
Studies, a non profit making organisation that provides
training for the financial services industry
• The course has been designed to encourage individuals to
make informed and confident decisions regarding their
finances.
• It will help you to become aware of personal financial
issues and addresses the need to improve financial
literacy.
• It aims to develop an appreciation of the need for
financial understanding and should benefit students as
they become independent citizens
Certificate in Financial Studies
• The IFS provides teaching materials and the
assessment materials that you will use
• The CFS is UCAS accredited and is graded and is
given UCAS points in the same way as an AS course
• Students take three units
• Unit 1. Why Money Matters.
• Unit 2. Risk and Reward in personal Finance.
• Unit 3. Making Personal Financial Judgements.
• Units 1 and 2 are examined using hour long online
multiple choice tests
• Unit 3 is written exam of 90 minutes based on a
written case study
Certificate in Financial Studies
• In 2013/4 this course may be available to students
who are not taking a Business related course at AS or
A2 level
• Students need to have an interest in finance. This
course will appeal to students who want a better
understanding of the typical personal financial issues
we all face, such as budgeting, obtaining loans and
mortgages and tax issues.
• It may also be of interest to those who are thinking
of a career in the financial services industry.
• The course makes considerable use of on line
resources
Yr 2 Extension Courses
Spring 2013