International A-Level Programme (IAL)

Overview

The A-level course is an 18-month programme culminating in examinations in each subject to be sat in the January, May/June and October exam seasons. Students will sit the AS level examinations in the majority of their subjects in Semester 2 of Year 12. All Year 12 and Year 13 students will sit for mock examinations to ensure they are fully prepared for the external AS and A2 examinations. AS qualifications are useful for universities in making conditional offers, as well as valuable feedback for students as to their progress at this level. Our students have received conditional offers in prestigious universities using AS results. Students who have completed 3 units in external examinations are eligible for an AS Certificate.

Assessment

A-levels are based on either four or six units of approximately equal content. Half of these make up the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) course studied in the first year of the A-level programme. The remaining content, studied in the second half, completes the full A-level course. AS and A2 examinations are conducted on a modular basis, where students can elect to sit for their exams in January, May/June, and October, depending on the subject. AS levels are graded A to E for pass grades, with U (unclassified) for fail. A-levels are graded A* to E for pass grades, with U (unclassified) for fail.

An intensive programme covering 3 Semesters. Our June intake for the IAL qualification enables students to study in a collaborative environment and nurture themselves for the next level of their tertiary education.

How do students know what to choose?

Students will initially choose three or four A-level subjects to study. For the vast majority of degree courses, universities do not require students to have four A-Levels and therefore students are encouraged to only study three A-levels.

Choosing A-levels is a potentially life-changing decision and students should think very carefully about which courses to pursue. Students should ensure they obtain as much information as possible about each subject that they are considering to ensure decisions made are based on facts and sound research. Students will have an opportunity to meet with subject leaders and peers to find out more about the content, structure and skills required for each A-level subject.

If students have a particular career path in mind, this may dictate one or two A-level choices, making it important that students research likely degree path requirements in advance. Medicine, for example, will require students to choose Chemistry and one other Science A-level.

Students who are unsure about what they might study at university are advised to choose subjects they enjoy, find interesting and have the required skills to succeed. Finding out what skills are necessary for different subjects is essential and students should not just choose a subject because it sounds ‘interesting.’

While it is important to obtain sound advice and opinions worth considering carefully, students should remember that this is their choice; they will be the ones studying the A-level courses. Students are encouraged to seek and take advice seriously, but not to just take a subject because someone else is telling them that’s what they must do, or because that’s what their friends are taking.

Entry Requirements

A-level study is designed to allow students to pursue subjects in which they have a particular interest, in much greater depth and breadth. As such, students are encouraged to opt for subjects they are passionate about, while bearing in mind that a high level of dedication is necessary. Naturally, a certain level of academic achievement in these subjects is also required for the student to be successful and to progress to further university studies.

Students who want to follow the full A-level programme should usually have an average B grade profile, based on performance in the mock IGCSE examinations, with at least an IGCSE Grade B in the subjects to be pursued at A-level, unless otherwise specified. Generally, for students with an average C grade profile, we will discuss together and work out the best path for them to take.

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