Why fast track one year A level courses at RIC? One popularly held misconception that Rochester Independent College debunks with complete and cheerful confidence is that “A levels have to be two year courses.� As RIC students show with year after year of fantastic results, A levels ranging from the Sciences to the arts can be done successfully in just a single year of study. These courses are available to students from the age of 17 upwards and it is quite usual for students who are 18, 19 or 20 to join the College to begin these intensive courses. These accelerated pathways suit both those with a history of academic high achievement and those needing to change direction or catch up.
Will I be able to aim at a top university after a one year A level course? RIC students studying A levels on intensive one year courses in 2020 are again holding an impressive range of offers from the UK’s top universities. These include: Mathematics and Statistical Science at UCL, English Literature at Bristol, Medicine at Southampton, Medicine at Sheffield, Computer Science at Imperial, Pharmacy at KCL, Maths and Statistics at Imperial, Physics at Manchester, Fine Art at The Slade and Business and Management at Exeter. Recent university placements from the one year A level course include Computer Science at Warwick, Law at KCL, Psychology and Philosophy at Oxford, History at Cambridge, Fine Art at UAL, Medicine at Oxford, and Vet Medicine at RVC.
One of this year’s students Jiryayus Jirapong is a Gold Medal winner in the International Mathematics Olympiad. Jiryayus joined RIC from Thailand in 2019 for a one year A level course. He has an offer to study Maths at Trinity College, Cambridge. Jiryayus says: “At Rochester Independent College I was taught by teachers who are excellent in the subject. With the small class size, teachers were able to answer all questions, look closely at the individual process, and give constructive feedback to homework. In addition, there was a weekly practice test to make sure that we really understood the lessons and to make us familiar with the exam style.”
Who are one year A levels for? Students take one year A level courses for a variety of reasons. International students with a good academic background join directly from overseas and can study one year A Levels at RIC as an alternative to foundation courses. Top grades at A level remain the most reliable passport to the best universities, including Oxbridge and the rest of the G5. Students transfer from other UK and international schools to one year A level courses at RIC if they need to change subjects and direction or catch up and revise the first year of A level comprehensively alongside the second year material. This allows them to still complete their sixth form within the standard two year period and aim for a good university. Students also transfer after completing the first year of the IB if they feel A levels are more suitable. Students who need to retake their A levels and spend an extra year at school to aim at their first-choice university. This can be a passport to Russell Group universities who accept retake students for most courses.
What are the advantages of international students studying at a College like RIC where most students are British? One of the elements of the winning formula at RIC is the dynamic mix of local students from a variety of backgrounds with inspirational young people from overseas.
Speaking, and improving your English is inescapable. It’s a perfect stepping stone to a UK university. The College student body only 25% international alongside 75% from the local area or the rest of the UK. We have 345 students on roll each year with 110 boarders.
Class sizes are extremely small, usually numbering around 6 motivated and hard working students. This means that every student has access to individual attention. Problems can be quickly diagnosed and tackled. Progress is rapid. This is due to a combination of intensive teaching and examination practice and high levels of motivation on the part of the student.
The application process • Submit the most recent two years’ school reports (in English) • Complete our application form • Pay the registration fee • Attain 6.0 IELTS level or equivalent (students under the age of 18 can take RIC’s own English test). • Complete an interview in person or by Skype/Zoom to discuss your previous educational history and university aspirations. The aim of this interview is to help plan a bespoke pathway to help you secure your first choice university place.
Rochester Independent College 254 St Margaret’s Banks Rochester Kent ME1 1HY Tel: 01634 828115 Principal: Mr Alistair Brownlow admissions@rochester-college.org
www.rochester-college.org