A-level

The A-level, short for Advanced Level, is a General Certificate of Education qualification, usually taken by students in the final two years of secondary education (after GCSEs). It is a non-compulsory qualification taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (the Scottish equivalent is the Advanced Higher Grade). Examinations of the same name are also taken in many former British colonies including Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Malta and the former British West Indies, although due to respective changes in the systems, today they differ both in terms of content and style from the A-levels taken in the United Kingdom and only share the name. Nevertheless, the British GCE A-levels are taken all around the world, as many international schools choose to use the British system as the examinations are better recognised around the world. The A-level is available in a wide range of subjects, from Accounting to World Development1.

Related Topics:
General Certificate of Education - Secondary education - GCSEs - Qualification - England - Wales - Northern Ireland - Scottish - Advanced Higher Grade - Hong Kong - Singapore - South Africa - Malta - British West Indies - United Kingdom

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A levels were first introduced in 1951, replacing the previous award, the Higher School Certificate (HSC). The most recent changes to A-levels began in 2001, when the government introduced Curriculum 2000 which split the A-level into two parts, the AS and A2 examinations. The former is generally taken in Year 12/lower sixth and the latter is generally taken in Year 13/upper sixth. AS-level (Advanced Subsidiary) is a qualification in its own right, resembling the old Advanced Supplementary examination (which shared the same initials). Satisfactorily completing both AS and A2 units results in the award of an A-level qualification.

Related Topics:
1951 - Higher School Certificate

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While A-levels are a qualification in their own right, they are often the prerequisite for university-level study as well, making them a de facto university entrance examination (though certain universities also require applicants to take separate entrance examinations). Universities in the United Kingdom frequently demand that applicants achieve a minimum set of grades in A-level examinations, or the equivalent in other examination systems, before accepting them. While the government has rejected plans to introduce an English Baccalaureate modelled on the International Baccalaureate, at the time of writing (August 2005), the government is still re-examining the existing structure and may recommend changes.

Related Topics:
De facto - English Baccalaureate - International Baccalaureate

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