Subject Overview – A Levels – 2017-18 including Total Points Score (TPS)
Subject
Art
Exam Board
Edexcel
Biology
AQA
Method of Assessment
A practical personal investigation – 60% of total
marks. An externally set assignment (practical exam
at the end of Year 13) – 40% of total marks
Written examination at end of two years
Business
Studies
Edexcel
Written examination at end of two years
Business BTEC
Edexcel
Chemistry
OCR
75% coursework and 25% examined element over
the two years
Written examination at end of two years
Computer
Science BTEC
Creative Media
Production
BTEC
Edexcel
D&T Product
Design: 3D
Design
D&T Product
Design:
Textiles
Drama and
Theatre
AQA
Practical coursework and written examination
(50%/50%)
AQA
Practical coursework and written examination
(50%/50%)
Eduqas
Economics
AQA
Year 12 - Written and practical coursework and
written exam. Year 13 - Written component and
practical exam.
Written examination at end of two years
English
Literature
OCR
Written examination at end of two years
Coursework element (two pieces)
Environmental
Science
AQA
Written examination at end of two years
Edexcel
Internally marked (two units) and externally
marked examinations (two units) in Year 12 and 13
50% coursework and 50% exam/timed assessment
throughout the two years
Minimum Entry Criteria
Grade B at GCSE Art and a Grade 5 in English Language
Grade B in GCSE Biology or Additional Science plus a Grade 6 in GCSE
Maths and English Language. At least 45 Total Points Score
Grade B at GCSE Business Studies plus a Grade 6 in either Maths or
English Language. If Business has not been taken as a GCSE then a
Grade 6 in Maths and English Language
Grade 4 in GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths. GCSE in Business
Studies is desirable
Grade B or above in GCSE Chemistry or Additional Science plus a
Grade 6 or above in GCSE Maths and English Language. At least 45
Total Points Score
Grade 5 in GCSE English Language and Grade 6 in GCSE Maths
5 GCSEs equivalent grade A* – C (or Grades 4-9) or a BTEC First
Certificate in Media at Merit level
Grade B in Design and Technology. The recommended specialism
studied is either Graphic Products, Product Design or Resistant
Materials but students from other areas will be considered.
Grade B in Textile Technology although students from other areas will
be considered.
Grade B at GCSE Drama plus a Grade 5 in English Language.
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language plus at least 38
Total Points Score
Grade 6 at GCSE English Language and English Literature. Students
must have studied English Literature at GCSE level as well as
Language.
Grade 5 in Maths and English Language and a Grade B in any Science.
At least 34 Total Points Score
Film Studies
Further Maths
WJEC
AQA
30% coursework and 70% written examination
Written examinations at end of two years
Geography
AQA
Government
and Politics
History
Edexcel
Written examinations at end of two years and an
individual fieldwork investigation
Written examinations at end of two years
Mathematics
Modern
Foreign
Languages
Philosophy and
Ethics
Photography
AQA
Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and English Literature
Grade 7 in Maths GCSE. Further Maths should be taken as a fourth
subject where Mathematics has already been chosen
Grade B at GCSE Geography and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or
Literature and Maths
Grade 6 in GCSE English Language or English Literature or B in History
Grade B at GCSE History
AQA
AQA
Coursework and written examination at end of two
years
Written examinations at end of two years
Written and oral examinations at end of two years
AQA
Written examinations at end of two years
AQA
A practical personal investigation – 60% of total
marks, an externally set assignment (practical exam
at the end of Year 13) – 40% of total marks
Physical
Education
AQA
PE BTEC
Edexcel
Physics
AQA
Practical assessment (30%) and written
examinations (70%) during two year course, one
coursework piece
Seven units of work to be completed, five are
internally assessed units, one is externally marked
and one is an exam unit
Written examination at end of two years
Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and English Literature and at least
40 Total Points Score
Art and Design at GCSE is desirable but not essential. Grade 5 in
English Language GCSE. At least 34 Total Points Score. Submission of a
Photography portfolio (title set by Art department at induction)
before the summer holidays.
Grade B in the GCSE PE theory paper and a at least 40 Total Points
Score
Psychology
Sociology
AQA
AQA
Written examination at end of two years
Written examination at end of two years
Travel and
Tourism BTEC
OCR
Mix of written assessment and coursework over the
two years
Grade 6 at GCSE and 60%+ on the entrance test
Grade B at GCSE MFL and a Grade 6 in English Language
Grade C GCSE PE desirable and GCSE English Language and Maths at
Grade 4
Grade B in GCSE Physics or Additional Science plus a 6 in GCSE
Maths and in GCSE English Language along with at least 37.5 Total
Points Score
Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Maths
Grade B in GCSE Sociology or if Sociology not studied Grade 6 in GCSE
English Language
Grade 4 in GCSE English Language