Full Time A Levels at Abingdon & Witney College

A Levels at Abingdon & Witney College

• Subject area:AS/A Levels (full-time 16-19 yr olds)
• Course type:Full time

Course description
As a college of Further Education we are specialists in post-16 education. We are uniquely placed to bring together our experience of academic study, vocational training and delivery at higher education level to provide you with an inspirational, high quality and up to date A level programme. At Abingdon and Witney College Sixth Form we offer an adult atmosphere for those who see A levels as a passport to university and the world of work. Through our partnership with Oxford Brookes University, we are able to benefit from visits to specialist lectures and guest speakers at the University. Some of the staff involved in delivering A levels at Abingdon and Witney College also teach on Foundation degree and HND courses and are in a strong position to prepare students for progression to higher education.
The Sixth Form Centre includes a common room and an academic research room which is specifically designed for A level students. Teaching accommodation includes a university-style purpose built lecture theatre, specialist subject rooms including science and language labs, state of the art media and Mac suite, along with tutorial and seminar rooms. We believe that technology plays a key role in supporting learners and all Abingdon and Witney College A level students are issued with an electronic notebook to assist them in their studies. You will be able to use your electronic notebook in class, in the common room and at home to type up notes, to prepare Powerpoint presentations and to access the internet for research purposes.

Final award
A-levels are divided into two courses, AS taken in the first year and A2 in the second year; combined together they equal a full A-level. Both the AS and A2 courses comprise 2 units. On the whole, A-levels are assessed through formal examinations at the end of the AS programme and then again at the end of the A2 programme. In some practically based subjects there is also a coursework component. Both AS and A2 qualifications count towards the requirement for university entrance.

Entry requirements
To study AS/A-Levels you will normally need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above.
It is possible to progress to university without GCSE English Language and Maths at C grade or above, but your options will be reduced if you have not achieved these qualifications and it is likely to impact on your future employment opportunities. We strongly recommend that if you do not have GCSE English Language and Maths at grade C or above that you retake them as part of your A-level programme.

Additional information
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO STUDY?
When you apply to be an A level student at Abingdon and Witney College you will have a one-to-one interview with a member of academic staff to discuss your aims and aspirations for your Sixth Form studies. This enables us to design a programme of study where, with advice and guidance, you are able to personalise your timetable to suit your interests, strengths and career aspirations. We strongly believe that investing time in selecting an appropriate and relevant A level programme tailor made for you will support you in achieving your aims and ensure that you progress successfully to the next stage of your career whether that be onto university or straight into employment.
TUTORIALS
As an A level student you will have a personal tutor who will meet with you on both a one-to-one basis and as part of a tutor group. In your one-to-one meetings you will discuss your progress, work on areas that you need to develop and ensure that you are on target to reach your full potential. Through the group tutorial our A level students also undertake the Extended Project qualification which is designed to meet the needs that employers and universities are looking for and includes developing skills in
• Research
• Project management
• eTechnology
• Presentation
Taken over two years as part of our highly developed tutorial programme, the Extended Project is 100% coursework based, is equivalent to an AS level qualification and is worth up to 60 UCAS points. Your Personal Tutor will support you with applying to university and improving your employment opportunities. The tutorial programme includes a range of enrichment activities including sport, foreign language and leisure clubs. There are also optional residential trips to Disneyland Paris and New York in addition to visits specific to the subjects you are studying at A level.
*Students aged 16-18 will not be required to pay the full course fee, in most cases your fee will not exceed £150. Please contact us if you need more information regarding fees for full-time courses.

Code Campus Duration Start date Day(s)
AFA010P Abingdon Campus 1 year Sep 2010 Everyday
AFW07 Witney Campus 1 year Sep 2010 Everyday