Academic Subjects
The International A-level subjects chosen by students will have a huge impact on their future studies. We recommend students choose subjects that they are both very familiar with and enjoy studying as well as being directly related to what they wish to study at university. As a general rule, we highly recommend discussing subject choice with our admissions team.
The majority of our students usually take three A level subjects. Those with very strong academic backgrounds may be allowed to take a fourth A level subject to our recommendation. Students should be aware that during the International A-Level Programme, they will be expected to develop their knowledge and understanding of their subject by applying the learned concepts and specifications to a range of different scenarios, each of which can be set in a variety of contexts.
Subject Choice
The following abbreviations appear in this specification:
- International Advanced Subsidiary – IAS
- International A2 – IA2
- International Advanced Level – IAL
Mathematics and Further Mathematics
Mathematics is the most important subject during A-level, especially for those students undertaking science subjects. Mathematics is powered by reasoning, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and even effective communication. Practically every career choice uses math in some way as well as it helps us understand the world better.
During their IAL students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and mathematical development. They will use their knowledge and skills to apply mathematics to real-life situations, solve unstructured problems and use mathematics as an effective means of communication.
Mathematics – Content and Assessment
| Pure Mathematics Unit | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| P1. Pure Mathematics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| P1. Pure Mathematics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| P1. Pure Mathematics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| P1. Pure Mathematics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| Application Units | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| M1. Mechanics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| M1. Mechanics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| P3. Pure Mathematics 3 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| P4. Pure Mathematics 4 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
Further Mathematics – Content and Assessment
| Pure Mathematics Unit | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| FP1. Further Pure Mathematics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| FP2. Pure Mathematics 2 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| FP3. Pure Mathematics 3 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| Application Units | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| M2. Mechanics 2 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
| S2. Statistics 2 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 33.3% of the total IAS 16.6% of the total IAL |
Biology
Biology is a fascinating subject for many students and is at the forefront of many recent technological advances, from vaccines to genetics. Generally, it helps us understand the living world and the ways its many species, including humans, function, evolve and interact. During their studies, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of biological concepts by applying them to a range of different practical and theoretical situations.
Biology – Content and Assessment
| IAS | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Molecules; Diet and Nutrition; Transport and Health | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 2: Cell Structure and Development; Biodiversity; Conservation. | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 3: Practical Skills in Biology 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| IA2 | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 4: Energy; Environment; Microbiology and Immunity. | Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 5: Respiration; Internal Environment; Coordination; Gene Technology | Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology 2 | Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes | 20% of the total IAS 10% of the total IAL |
Chemistry
Chemistry plays a role in everyone’s life and touches almost every aspect of our existence in some way. Most of what we use today owes its evolution in some way to the study of Chemistry. It is often referred to as the central science because it joins together physics, mathematics, biology and medicine, in other words, the earth and environmental sciences. In our programme, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of chemistry by applying the learned concepts to a range of different situations, both practical and theoretical, set in a variety of contexts.
Chemistry – Content and Assessment
| IAS | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Structure; Bonding; Introduction to Organic Chemistry | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 2: Energetics; Group Chemistry; Halogenoalkanes and Alcohols. | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 3: Practical Skills in Chemistry 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 20% of the total IAS 10% of the total IAL |
| IA2 | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 4: Rates; Equilibria; Further Organic Chemistry. | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 5: Transitions; Metals; Organic Nitrogen Chemistry | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 6: Practical Skills in Chemistry 2 | Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes | 20% of the total IAS 10% of the total IAL |
Physics
As well as playing an important role in many of the liberal arts disciplines, Physics contributes to society’s understanding of areas such as energy production, weather, medical science and space exploration. Furthermore, it also explores fundamental questions such as, ‘How did the universe start?’ and ‘What is a black hole?’
Academic success in Physics often offers a route to a rewarding and well-paid profession, along with a high level of job security. In our programme, learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject by applying the concepts learned to a range of practical and theoretical situations, set in a variety of contexts.
Physics – Content and Assessment
| IAS | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 2: Waves and Electricity | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics 1 | Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes | 20% of the total IAS 10% of the total IAL |
| IA2 | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 4: Further Mechanics; Fields; Particles | Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes | 40% of the total IA2 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 5: Thermodynamics; Radiation; Oscillations; Cosmology | Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes | 40% of the total IA2 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 6: Practical Skills in Physics 2 | Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes | 40% of the total IA2 20% of the total IAL |
Economics
Our Economics programme studies the behaviour of various economic agents, including governments, corporations and consumers. The basis of the subject involves an understanding of what happens in the financial markets and the macroeconomy. This is achieved by a statistical approach and centres on analysing and explaining their significance, thereby ultimately understanding the different policy options on offer in order to evaluate their outcomes.
Economics – Content and Assessment
| IAS | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Markets in Action | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 2: Microeconomic Performance and Policy | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| IA2 | Examination | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 3: Business Behaviour | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |
| Unit 4: Development in the Global Economy | Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes | 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL |