Intake of students with new A Level qualifications

Dr Glynis Perking.perkin@lboro.ac.uk

Overview

• The key changes to GCE A Levels

• The subjects with new syllabi examined in2017

• Dates for additional subjects

• Core content and assessment proceduresfor each subject with links to additionalinformation (AQA examinations)

The key changes to GCE A Levels

The key changes are:

• Mainly assessed by examination

• Non-modular with assessment taking place at the end of the course

• AS Level is a stand alone qualification and no longer counts towards A Level

• Content has been reviewed and updated with input from university staff

Subjects with new syllabi – taught from 2015 and examined in 2017

Art and Design (slides 6-8)

Biology (slides 9-11)

Business (slides 12-14)

Chemistry (slides 15-17)

Computer Science (slides 18-21)

Economics (slides 22-25)

English Language (slides 26-28)

English Language and Literature (slides 29-31)English Literature (A) (slides 32-34)English Literature (B) (slides 35-37) History (slides 38-40)Physics (slides 41-43)Psychology (slides 44-46)Sociology (slides 47-49)

Implementation of new syllabi for additional subjects

New GCE A Levels will be introduced for additional

subjects with examinations taking place in 2018 and 2019

Art and Design A Level – core content

Students choose one topic from:

• Art, craft and design• Fine art• Graphic communication• Textile • Three-dimensional design• Photography

Art and Design A Level – assessment

• Personal investigation – non-examination assessment (60%)

• Externally set assignment - non-examination assessment (40%)

Art and Design A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/art-and-design/specifications/AQA-ART-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302101/A_level_art_and_design_subject_content.pdf

Biology A Level – core content

1. Biological molecules2. Cells3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms5. Energy transfers in and between organisms6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems8. The control of gene expression

Biology A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2 hour written examination, short, long and extended response questions (topics 5-8 plus relevant practical skills) (35%)

• Paper 2 – 2 hour written examination, short, long and comprehension response questions (topics 1-4 plus relevant practical skills) (35%)

• Paper 3 – 2 hour written examination, structured questions, critical analysis and essay response questions (topics 1-8 plus relevant practical skills) (30%)

Biology A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/biology/specifications/AQA-7401-7402-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593849/Science_AS_and_level_formatted.pdf

Business A Level – core content

1. What is business2. Managers, leadership and decision making3. Decision making to improve marketing performance4. Decision making to improve operational performance5. Decision making to improve financial performance6. Decision making to improve human resource performance7. Analysing the strategic position of a business8. Choosing strategic direction9. Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies10.Managing strategic change

Business A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2 hour written examination, multiple choice, short answer and essay questions (all topics) (33.3%)

• Paper 2 – 2 hour written examination, data response questions (all topics) (33.3%)

• Paper 3 – 2 hour written examination, case study plus questions (all topics) (33.3%)

Business A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/business/specifications/AQA-7131-7132-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302103/A_level_business_subject_content.pdf

Chemistry A Level – core content

3.1 Physical chemistry with subsections 3.1.1 to 3.1.12

3.2 Inorganic chemistry with subsections 3.2.1 to 3.2.6

3.3 Organic chemistry with subsections 3.3.1 to 3.3.16

Chemistry A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2 hour written examination, short and long answer questions (topics 3.1.1-3.1.4, 3.1.6-3.1.8, 3.1.10-3.1.12 and 3.2 plus relevant practical skills) (35%)

• Paper 2 – 2 hour written examination, short and long answer questions (topics 3.1.2-3.1.6, 3.19 and 3.3 plus relevant practical skills) (35%)

• Paper 3 – 2 hour written examination, questions and multiple choice questions (any topic and practical skills) (30%)

Chemistry A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/chemistry/specifications/AQA-7404-7405-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593849/Science_AS_and_level_formatted.pdf

Computer Science A Level – core content

10. Fundamentals of programming

11. Fundamentals of data structures

12. Fundamentals of algorithms

13. Theory of computation

14. Fundamentals of data representation

15. Fundamentals of computer systems

16. Fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture

Computer Science A Level – core content continued

17. Consequences of uses of computing

18. Fundamentals of communication and networking

19. Fundamentals of databases

20. Big data

21. Fundamentals of functional programming

22. Systematic approach to problem solving

23. Practical project

Computer Science A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2.5 hours on-screen examination, short response questions and programming (topics 10-13 and 22) (40%)

• Paper 2 – 2.5 hours written examination, short and extended answer questions (topics 14-21) (40%)

• Non-exam assessment – practical problem (using topic 22) (20%)

Computer Science A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/computing/specifications/AQA-7516-7517-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302105/A_level_computer_science_subject_content.pdf

Economics A Level – core content

Individuals, firms, markets and market failure1. Economic methodology and the economic problem2. Individual economic decision making3. Price determination in a competitive market4. Production, costs and revenue5. Perfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly6. The labour market7. The distribution of income and wealth: poverty and inequality

Economics A Level – core content continued

8. The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in marketsThe national and international economy9. The measurement of macroeconomic performance10. How the macroeconomy works: the circular flow of income, AD/AS analysis and related concepts11. Economic performance12. Financial markets and monetary policy13. Fiscal policy and supply-side policies14. The international economy

Economics A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2 hours written examination, data response and essay questions (topics 1-8) (33.3%)

• Paper 2 – 2 hours written examination, data response and essay questions (topics 9-14) (33.3%)

• Paper 3 – 2 hours written examination, multiple choice and case study questions (topics 1-14) (33.3%)

Economics A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/economics/specifications/AQA-7135-7136-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302106/A_level_economics_subject_content.pdf

English Language A Level – core content

Methods of language analysis underpin each component4.1.1 Textual variations and representations

4.1.3 Children’s language development

4.2.1 Language diversity and change

4.2.3 Language discourses

4.2.4 Writing skills

4.3.1 Language investigation

4.3.2 Original writing

English Language A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2.5 hours written examination, analysis of text and discursive essay questions (topics 4.1.1 and 4.1.3) (40%)

• Paper 2 – 2.5 hours written examination, evaluative essay, analysis of text and a directed writing task (topics 4.2.1 – 4.2.4) (40%)

• Non-exam assessment – 2000 words, language investigation and 1500 words original writing (topics 4.3.1 – 4.3.2) (20%)

English Language A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-7701-7702-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302109/A_level_English_language_subject_content.pdf

English Language and Literature A Level – core content

Methods of language analysis underpin each component 4.1.2 Remembered Places

4.1.3 Imagined Worlds

4.1.4 Poetic Voices

4.2.2 Writing about Society

4.2.3 Critical commentary

4.2.4 Dramatic Encounters

4.3 Making Connections

English Language and Literature A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 3 hours written examination, open and closed book, questions on prose and an anthology (topics 4.1.2 – 4.1.4) (40%)

• Paper 2 – 2.5 hours written examination, open book, re-creative writing, critical commentary and questions (topics 4.2.2 – 4.2.4) (40%)

• Non-exam assessment – 2500-3000 words, personal investigation (topic 4.3) (20%)

English Language and Literature A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-7706-7707-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302108/A_level_English_language_and_literature_content.pdf

English Literature (A) A Level – core content

4.1 Love through the ages

4.2 Texts in shared contexts (WW1 and its aftermath or Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day)

4.3 Independent critical study: texts across time

English Literature (A) A Level –assessment

• Paper 1 – 3 hours written examination, open and closed book, essay questions (40%)

• Paper 2 – 2.5 hours written examination, open book, question and essays (40%)

• Non-exam assessment – one essay 2500 words, critical study and a bibliography (20%)

English Literature (A) A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-7711-7712-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302110/A_level_English_literature_content.pdf

English Literature (B) A Level – core content

4.1 Literary genres - Aspects of tragedy or Aspects of comedy)

4.2 Texts and genres (Elements of crime writing or Elements of political and social protest writing)

4.3 Theory and independence

English Literature (B) A Level –assessment

• Paper 1 – 2.5 hours, closed book, written examination, questions and essays (40%)

• Paper 2 – 3 hours open book written examination, questions and essays (40%)

• Non-exam assessment – two essays of 1250-1500 words (20%)

English Literature (B) A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-7716-7717-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302110/A_level_English_literature_content.pdf

History A Level – core content

• Component 1 – Breadth study (choice of topic)

• Component 2 – Depth study (choice of topic)

• Component 3 – Historical investigation (Personal study)

(Note – studying the history of more than one country is compulsory)

History A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2.5 hours written examination, question linked to historical interpretations and two essays (40%)

• Paper 2 – 2.5 hours written examination, question linked to sources contemporary to the period and two essays (40%)

• Non-exam assessment – a personal study of 3000-3500 words (20%)

History A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/history/specifications/AQA-7041-7042-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302102/A_level_history_subject_content.pdf

Physics A Level – core content

1. Measurements and their errors2. Particles and radiation3. Waves4. Mechanics and materials5. Electricity6. Further mechanics and thermal physics7. Fields and their consequences8. Nuclear physics

Physics A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2 hours written examination, short and long answer questions and multiple choice questions (Sections 1 to 5 and 6.1 (Periodic motion)) (34%)

• Paper 2 – 2 hours written examination, short and long answer questions and multiple choice questions (Sections 6.2 (Thermal physics), 7 & 8)) with assumed knowledge of earlier sections) (34%)

• Paper 3 – 2 hours written examination, short and long answer questions (Practical Skills and data analysis plus questions from chosen optional component) (32%)

Physics A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/physics/specifications/AQA-7407-7408-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593849/Science_AS_and_level_formatted.pdf

Psychology A Level – core content

1. Social influence

2. Memory

3. Attachment

4. Psychopathology

5. Approaches in Psychology

6. Biopsychology

7. Research methods

8. Issues and debates in Psychology

Psychology A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2 hours written examination, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions (topics 1-4) (33.3%)

• Paper 2 – 2 hours written examination, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions (topics 5-7) (33.3%)

• Paper 3 – 2 hours written examination, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions (topic 8 plus questions from chosen optional components) (33.3%)

Psychology A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/psychology/specifications/AQA-7181-7182-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593849/Science_AS_and_level_formatted.pdf

Sociology A Level – core content

4.1 Education with Theory and Methods– 4.1.1 Education– 4.1.2 Methods in Context– 4.1.3 Theory and Methods

4.3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods– 4.3.1 Crime and Deviance– 4.3.2 Theory and Methods

Sociology A Level – assessment

• Paper 1 – 2 hours written examination, short answers and extended writing (topics 4.1.1 – 4.1.2) (33.3%)

• Paper 2 – 2 hours written examination, extended writing (questions from chosen optional components) (33.3%)

• Paper 3 – 2 hours written examination, short answers and extended writing (topics 4.3.1 – 4.3.2) (33.3%)

Sociology A Level – links to more detailed information

• http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/sociology/specifications/AQA-7191-7192-SP-2015.PDF

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302111/A_level_sociology_subject_content.pdf

Thank You