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A Levels
Value Added A Level Programme
We provide an exciting range of A Level and BTEC/CACHE/UAL courses which are combined in order to provide our students with the best possible grade outcomes, which maximises their choice of university.
The benefits of this combined provision includes:
l Modular assessment of BTEC/CACHE/UAL which is closer aligned to university study l Significantly enhanced grade potential l Opportunity to include AS Level Extended Project Qualification – enhancing overall grade and skill outcomes In addition, we provide detailed support to each of our students in preparing their personal statement, as well as preparing for interviews and other selection processes to ensure they are able to secure their first choice of university.
Non A Level Equivalent Qualifications
BTEC Diplomas provide a practical, real-world approach to learning and an alternative route to traditional GCSEs and A Levels. They focus on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to succeed in employment and higher education. BTEC qualifications were established over 25 years ago and are recognised by universities, employers and professional bodies across the United Kingdom and in over 100 countries worldwide. The table below shows how many UCAS points each of the most common qualifications are worth. For example, an Extended Diploma at Triple Distinction* (D*D*D*) equates to 3 A Levels at A*.
What can I study?
The suite of ‘value-added’ courses provides an exciting mix of both traditional A Levels and nonA Level but equivalent subjects so that students can benefit from both types of pedagogy (the linear A Level and modular BTEC/CACHE/UAL). Students taking these subjects will not only be supported to achieve good quality grade outcomes but also gain additional life skills that will prepare them for study and life at university, Apprenticeships and employment.
A Levels cannot be studied individually and can only be taken in combination with the relevant vocational qualification.
For more information on our value added A Level courses, visit www.oaklands.ac.uk/ALevels
Finance & Accounting
The course is designed for students who aspire to work in the financial and accounting sector. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to information analysis for different aspects of business. It allows you to combine one A Level or an AAT qualification with a Business qualification. The AAT qualifications are respected by employers worldwide and delivers a solid foundation in finance administration, covering areas such as double entry bookkeeping to basic costing principles and using accounting software. The programme comprises: l AAT Accounting l Level 3 Diploma in Business
Mandatory units of study within Business include: l Exploring Business l Developing a Marketing Campaign l Personal & Business Finance l Managing an Event l International Business l Principles of Management l Business Decision Making.
English with Business
The course is designed for students who are passionate about pursing a career in language, including marketing, recruitment, journalism or teaching. It allows you to combine an A Level with a Business qualification. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to the different aspects of the business sector, language and linguistics. The programme comprises: l Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma Business l A Level English Language
Psychology with Business
Psychology is integral to business at every stage. This combined course of Business and A Level Psychology will give you the knowledge and skills to apply psychological principles to the world of Marketing, Business or Finance. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to the different aspects of the business sector and the aspects of people’s behaviour and thoughts, including the underlying motivations behind our behaviour, such as biological influences.
The programme comprises: l Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma Business l A Level Psychology
English with Creative Industries
The course is designed for students who are passionate about pursing a career in the creative industry, including writing, journalism or teaching. It allows you to combine one A Level with a Creative qualification. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to the different aspects of the creative sector, language and linguistics and writing. The programme comprises: l UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative
Practice l A Level English Language
Mandatory units of study within Art & Design include: l Introduction to Visual Language in Art & Design, l Introduction to Research Skills in Art & Design l Introduction to Critical & Contextual Awareness in Art & Design l Introduction to Materials l Processes & Technical Skills in Art & Design l An Integrated approach to 2D Problem Solving in
Art & Design l An Integrated approach to 3D Problem Solving in
Art & Design l An Integrated approach to Time-Based Problem
Solving l Developing an Art & Design Project l Opportunities for Progress in Art & Design, l Characteristics & Contexts in Art & Design l Preparation for Progression in Art & Design l Engaging with an Audience in Art & Design l Project Proposal & Realisation in Art & Design
Criminology with Forensic Psychology
The course is designed for students who aspire to work in the field of crime and criminality paired with the world of forensic investigation and gain a deeper understanding of what makes a criminal, from a societal, psychological and law perspective. The course allows you to combine one A Level with an Applied Science qualification. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to the different aspects of science. The programme comprises: l A Level Psychology l Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma in Applied
Science
Mandatory units of study within Applied Science include: l Principles and Applications of Science I & II l Practical Scientific Procedures & Techniques l Science Investigation Skills l Lab Techniques and their Application l Investigative Project l Contemporary Issues in Science
Nursing & Midwifery
The course is designed for students who aspire to work in the field of nursing with adults, children, mental health or midwifery. It allows you to combine one A Level with a Health & Social Care qualification. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to the different aspects of health and science. The programme comprises: l A Level Psychology l CACHE Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma in
Health & Social Care Mandatory units of study within Heath & Social Care include: l Equality, Diversity & Rights in Health & Social
Care l Human Growth & Development l Safeguarding in Health & Social Care l Communication in Health & Social Care, l Infection Prevention & control in Health & Social
Care l Psychological Perspectives in Health & Social
Care l Sociological Perspectives in Health & Social Care l Working in Health & Social Care l Reflective Practice l Protection of Children, Young People & Adults in
Health & Social Care l Anatomy & Physiology for Health & Social Care
Biological Sciences
The course is designed for students who aspire to work in the field of research relating to human health and disease. It allows you to combine one A Level with an Applied Science qualification. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to the different aspects of science. The programme comprises: l Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma in Applied
Science l A Level Biology OR A Level Maths
Mandatory units of study within Applied Science include: l Principles and Applications of Science I & II l Practical Scientific Procedures & Techniques l Science Investigation Skills l Lab Techniques and their Application l Investigative Project l Contemporary Issues in Science
Sport, Health & Medicine
The course is designed for students who aspire to work in Physiotherapy, Sport Therapy, Sport and Exercise Medicine & Sports Psychology. It allows you to combine one A Level with a Sport and Exercise Science qualification. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to science for different aspects of sport and health.
The programme comprises: l A Level Biology OR l A Level Psychology l Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma in Sport and
Exercise Science
Robotics Engineering
The course is designed for students who aspire to work in the field of mechatronics, artificial intelligence or biosensors. It allows you to combine one A Level with an Engineering qualification. The course develops the academic and practical skills that relates to the different aspects of Engineering. The programme comprises: l A Level Maths l Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering Mandatory units of study within Engineering include: l Engineering Principles l Delivery of Engineering Processes Safely as a
Team l Engineering Product Design & Manufacture l Applied Commercial & Quality Principles in
Engineering l A Specialist Engineering Project, l Microcontroller Systems for Engineers l Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems
Mandatory units of study within Sport & Exercise Science include: l Sport & Exercise Physiology l Functional Anatomy l Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology l Field & Lab-based Fitness Testing l Applied Research Methods in Sport & Exercise
Science l Coaching for Performance & Fitness
A Level Biology
Level Exam Board: AQA
3St Albans Welwyn Garden City
This course is for those who have an interest in traditional biology and how it links to the modern world. You will need to write precisely, have well developed mathematical skills, show enthusiasm for your studies and be prepared to participate in discussions. You will need an enquiring mind and the drive to expand your knowledge base beyond the limitations of the syllabus. The syllabus is wide, diverse and exciting. It has a good balance of traditional and modern biology. Topics include: l Biological Molecules l Cells l Viruses l Disease l Reproduction l Circulatory system l Respiration and Photosynthesis l Microbiology l Genetics l Homeostasis and Ecosystems
A Level English Language
Level 3
Exam Board: AQA St Albans
English Language explores how language is used within a range of different contexts and the central role it plays in our everyday lives. This subject gives you the opportunity to investigate the significance of language usage through the analysis of a range of texts, both spoken and written.
The course encourages you to consider topics such as:
l How language can be used to create power in texts l How language varies in terms of accent, dialect, sociolect, idiolect, ethnicity and gender l The impact of technology on language l Attitudes to language change l How children acquire spoken language and literacy skills You will also have the opportunity to produce some original writing of your own, creating texts for different purposes and audiences, for example, writing an opinion article to persuade, or a short story to entertain.
AS Extended Project
Level 3
Exam Board: Edexcel St Albans
The Extended Project (EPQ) allows you the opportunity to research a subject outside of your other A Levels. It can take the form of an extended essay (dissertation), a scientific field study, a dramatic performance or a creative artefact. You will be given teaching in areas such as research skills and time management and will be supported by specialist staff who will monitor your progress, but largely this is an AS that is done independently. Ideally you will have some background knowledge of the subject you are proposing to research. The Extended Project is an ideal way to develop your research and writing skills at a higher level. It is a one year, standalone qualification that will appeal to anyone who enjoys/excels in coursework tasks.
The Extended Project is highly regarded by Russell Group universities.
A Level Psychology
Level 3
Exam Board: AQA St Albans Welwyn Garden City Exam Board: OCR Welwyn Garden City
Psychology is concerned with all aspects of people’s behaviour and thoughts, including the underlying motivations behind our behaviour, such as biological influences. Psychology is a science, so as part of the course, you will learn about the scientific methods psychologists use to observe, measure and analyse behaviour and mental processes. The first year covers the following areas: l Cognitive Psychology (memory) l Child Development l Social Psychology We also train you to become a researcher in Psychology by covering in detail Research Methods and Approaches to studying human beings. There is a strong biological component of the course and we cover the nervous and hormonal systems in Biopsychology and OCD, Phobia and Depression in Psychopathology (mental health). The second year will involve studying in detail l Forensic Psychology l Schizophrenia l Relationships You will add to your knowledge of Research Methods and learn how to conduct Inferential Statistical tests. Mathematics prepares you for a range of Higher Education courses – in particular those involving Engineering or Science.
A Level Mathematics
Level 3
Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics This course assesses content from the Pure Mathematics and Statistics sections of the specification, in the context of the Overarching Themes.
The assessment is structured in to three sections: approximately two-thirds of the marks on Pure Mathematics and approximately one-sixth of the marks on Statistics and one-sixth on Mechanics.
Each section has a gradient of difficulty throughout the section and consists of a mix of short and long questions. Some of the assessment items which target the statistics section of the content will be set in the context of the pre-release large data set and will assume familiarity with the key features of that data set.
For more information on our value added A Level courses, visit www.oaklands.ac.uk/ALevels
