idhealt.com — A Level is an internationally recognized qualification and can be your ticket to university in the UK, especially if you are aiming for a top-ranked university or plan to study a specialized subject such as Medicine, law or mechanics.
But what exactly is A Level and how is it different from pre-university programs like Foundation, International Baccalaureate? Let’s answer the question above by better understanding the advantages of a candidate having an A.
What is Level A?
A-Level, Advanced Level, or more specifically GCEA level stands for General Certificate of Education Advanced Level. It is a certificate issued by schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to students aged 16-19 before taking university entrance exams.
A level is considered the gold standard used by UK universities in particular and internationally in general in finding and screening bright candidates.
Additionally, you may have heard of the GCE O-level certificate (short for General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level).
Read More:
- Australia Worried TikTok Violates Privacy Rules
- Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Headphones 29 Hours Battery Bluetooth 5.3 360 Degree Sound
- Meta Delete Series of Fake Accounts on Facebook and Instagram
- News Videos | “Venezuelan lady who takes husbands” goes viral and receivaes a flood of responses
Level O is a general education certificate issued to students who have completed junior secondary education between the ages of 14 and 16. Therefore, this certificate is only intended to help students assess and prepare knowledge.
A level certificates are more advanced and are for students who already have an O level certificate.
Where to choose to study A-Level?
As an international student, you can study A Level at:
- Bellerbys University
- Loughborough College
- Exeter College
- University of Nottingham
- York University
What are the entry requirements for the A Level program?
There may be differences between university and college A Level entry requirements. However, students who have completed the high school program with good academic results are most likely to join this program, with some specific requirements as follows:
Students who have completed the 10th grade program and are over 16 years old
Have good academic results, usually a final grade of 7.0 or higher
Have at least IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
In what ways should you study an A Level program?
The Level is an ideal choice for high school students who know the major they want to major in or at least have the desire to specialize in a certain subject, and are planning to attend a university.
If you haven’t determined your career path yet, A Level will be the perfect environment for you to test (or get acquainted with) before deciding on a major.
What are the advantages of studying an A Level program?
The first undeniable advantage is that the A Level program will open the door to study opportunities at top UK universities such as Cambridge, Oxford. Certain majors such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering often require students to have an A Level certificate.
Furthermore, you also save time if you plan to study in the UK early. Once you have completed a course in Indonesia, you only need 2 years to take A Level courses to enter UK universities.
If you complete grade 12 and wish to continue on to university in the UK, you will need to go through an extra year of pre-university.
In addition, you will also have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the academic environment entirely in English and practice skills useful for university studies such as information analysis, creative thinking, problem solving, teamwork.
Also, changing subjects in an A Level program is relatively simple compared to changing majors after going to university. This is a good opportunity for you to approach and learn about different disciplines, helping you to better shape your future career path.
With the A-level program, you can go to school as soon as you finish grade 10 instead of having to wait 17 or 18 years to enroll in a pre-university program.
The great thing about A Level programs is that you don’t study a general education program, but rather you choose your own subjects and routes.
There is no maximum limit of subjects selected in the A Level program, considering that most students usually choose 3-4 subjects for 2 years.
How to choose A Level subjects?
Choosing the right subjects is a very important step, because if you get high marks in subjects related to your university major, you will have an advantage in the admissions process. Here are 3 factors you should consider before deciding to choose an A Level course:
- If you have an interest or talent in a particular area, there is a high chance that you will be successful in a related subject.
- If you have already determined the field of study you want to pursue, feel free to choose additional courses for your university program later. It would be a waste of time to choose subjects such as fabric design or computer science if you plan to become a doctor.
- If your future major is still a mystery, Tudepoin Education recommends choosing at least 2 basic subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, History, Geography, English Literature, Linguistics. These are excellent subjects that are required by the university as part of the entry requirements and are also a way for you to have more options when choosing a major.
Here are some popular options for students after completing an A Level course:
- Continuing to study Undergraduate: A Level is a solid stepping stone to help you successfully apply to a prestigious UK university.
- Gap year: After an A Level course, if you are still vague about the career path you want to pursue in the future, you can take a gap year to do the things you love and discover more about yourself.
- Find a job: After completing the A-Level program, you can leave school and find a job. If you are 18 years or older, you can find work without further education or training.
- Join an internship: If you don’t want to choose between continuing your studies or working, an internship could be the right choice for you. You will receive training and certifications related to the field in which you work, and have the opportunity to work in a real environment for which you will be paid.
