A Levels
A Levels
A Levels are the main UK entry qualification for higher education or university, and are mainly for students aged 16-19. An A Level course lasts two years including the Advanced Subsidiary Level in year 1.
Students usually choose five subjects in year 1 and focus on four of these in year 2.
STCL offers a broad range of A Level subjects, in the Humanities, Business and Computing, Maths and Science, Languages, Media and Art and Design. For details of each course and syllabus, please download our prospectus.
Entry requirements: Standard entry requirements are 5 GCSEs grades A-C including English and Maths, or a good high school leaving certificate (at least year 11) or international equivalent. For art and design subjects you also need a portfolio of creative work. See the prospectus for specific requirements for each course.
Duration: 2 years
Fees: £5,995 per year
Art: Fine Art
This hands-on subject gives you the skills to develop your personal artistic direction. You can experiment with new materials, media and techniques, and expand your knowledge of other artists and cultures. It can be combined with Textile Design, Graphic Design, and Media Studies, but may also be taken with other subjects.
Art: Graphic Design
Teaches you how communicate clear and powerful messages using text and imagery. It includes projects in advertising, illustration, packaging and typography. You will develop ideas through sustained exploration of art and graphics materials and processes. You will gain an understanding of the work of other designers and illustrators and the ability to articulate a design brief.
Art: Textiles Design
You develop knowledge of fashion and textile design whilst working on your portfolio. Visits to exhibitions and exposure to other artists’ work are important parts of the course. You will develop your practical skills in areas such as printing and dyeing, embroidery, drawing and collage. Experimentation with colour, pattern and design is encouraged.
Biology
In year 1 (AS Level), you study key topics such as cell structure and biochemistry, moving on to look at gene technology and crop plants. Year 2 (A2 Level) covers inheritance, evolution, environment and ecosystems, and physiology.
Business Studies
Concentrating on the four foundations of business – Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Production – this teaches not only the principles of business success but also essential transferable skills such as teamwork, presenting and report writing. It combines with all subjects and gives you options for degree study or entering the job market.
Chemistry
This covers topics including atomic structures, chemical bonding, kinetics, organic chemistry, transition metals and electrochemistry. It will develop your skills in numeracy, problem solving and written and oral communication. Students often combine chemistry with other sciences.
Drama and Theatre Studies
This course offers an introduction to theatre for students with an enthusiastic interest in drama. It mixes practical work with study of plays and performance. As well as devising group projects you study plays in text and performance, look at the work of theatre practitioners and explore design and technical aspects of production. You are encouraged to respond to theatre in a creative and individual way.
English Language and Literature
This course provides an opportunity to analyse written and spoken language using a literary and linguistic approach. You will study novels, poetry and drama from a range of eras and cultures, focusing on how writers use language in their work. You cannot combine this with English Literature.
English Literature
This focuses on classic drama, novels and poetry, from Shakespeare through to contemporary writing. The AS Level typically includes a 19th Century novel, the work of a leading poet, and a post-1990 text, which forms the basis for coursework. The A2 will also include a Shakespeare play as well as further prose and poetry. English Literature combines well with other A Levels.
Film Studies
Looks at film as mass media and art. Film Studies has similarities to the study of literature and media, and therefore combines well with English and Media Studies or other humanities subjects. You analyse and interpret films, learning the critical languages that have been used to develop the medium. You will look at Hollywood, British cinema, documentary and narrative, early cinema, censorship, production values and film promotion.
German
Learn German by looking at topical issues, such as the environment, citizenship and international politics. Students also study German society and culture through texts, newspapers, audio-visual materials, novels, films and the internet. German is used actively in all classes to make students familiar with speaking and listening as well as written work.
Government and Politics
Enables students to gain an understanding of how Britain is governed. There are units in citizenship and democracy, major institutions of government, and controversial issues of today, such as race and ethnicity, the Welfare State, Northern Ireland, the EU and crime and law. This combines well with Law, Sociology, History and other humanities subjects.
History
This A Level investigates Modern American and general history, and England in the 16th & 17th Centuries. It provides coverage of events of the Early Modern past, and an opportunity to analyse the contemporary world.
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Primarily for students who aim to work in information technology, information systems and computing. AS modules include study of technologies which allow people to access and exchange information electronically and transactional websites in today’s global markets. A2 modules include designing and creating relational databases and technically complex spreadsheets. The course covers formal project management tools using specialist software.
Law
In the first year, you focus on understanding the English legal system, including the operation of the police and Criminal Evidence Act, the court system and legal professionals at work. Students also learn about the many sources of law and will gain skills for Statutory Interpretation and a grounding in European Law. This provides a foundation for the second year and an in-depth study of Tort Law.
Mathematics
Cover the essential pure mathematical disciplines including Algebra, Geometry, and Calculus. Maths combines well with other A Levels, especially science and computing. There is a choice of application mathematics modules of Statistics or Mechanics; this choice depends on other subjects taken.
Media Studies
Year 1(AS Level) deals with a range of media including newspapers, TV and the internet and addresses issues such as representation and what the media means. You will be involved in producing media projects, including videos where you will use digital cameras and editing.Year 2 (A2 Level) focuses on media as industries and the impact of globalisation, the internet and digital technology. Students look at representation of ethnicity, gender, society and morality.
Physics
This course appeals to students who enjoy solving problems and carrying out investigations with imaginative and logical thought. You study a range of theories and principles of modern physics. Year 1 includes topics such as particles, radiation, quantum phenomena, mechanics and electrical currents. Year 2 covers nuclear physics, and you have a choice of further study in astrophysics, medical physics, electronics, applied physics or the history of physics.
Psychology
Psychology, the study of social and individual behaviour, is useful for a wide range of future careers, particularly in health and social care, education, research and business. It covers all the major areas of psychology, including social psychology, developmental psychology and perspectives and research methods. It provides a thorough introduction to psychological theory and practice and will help you develop analytical skills, interpretation and evaluation. It combines with both sciences and humanities.
Sociology
Helps you develop an understanding of society – how it is organised, why structures exist, and why people behave as they do. Topics covered include the family, the education system, crime, religion, politics and the media. You learn about social research – the methods sociologists use to find out about society and people. Students gain useful transferable skills and study techniques, making this course suitable for combination with many other subjects.
Urdu
The focus is on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills; students are encouraged to use the language inside and outside the classroom. You will also study Urdu through cultural and religious topics, making use of literature, newspapers and audio-visual materials.