Students are offered little respite as they jump straight into A levels after completing their GCSE exams. Pupils will normally be asked to select their desired A level subjects before March of year 11. It is incredibly important to pick the A level topics based on strengths and interests, as these topics will play a critical role in students future prospects. That is why you need to be well-informed on what they should study and how many they should realistically add to their workload.
What are A Level Qualifications?
A levels (Advanced Level Qualifications) are offered to students in the United Kingdom who have passed their secondary school education. They are a respected form of higher education that universities and professional sectors require you to complete in order to be accepted onto undergraduate degree courses or into a new job. Often studied over a two-year period, they are designed to help students develop a deep understanding of their chosen subjects.
A levels are typically divided into a variety of subjects, including arts, sciences and humanities. The grades a student can achieve in their A level exams range from A* to E. These are used by universities to help determine eligibility for admission and to make decisions about scholarships and financial aid.
As well as providing a barometer for universities to make their course selections, A levels are also an excellent way for students to gain transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, that are valuable across any discipline or profession.
How many A Levels do you need?
Universities and other higher education institutes require a minimum of three A levels to qualify for their courses – including the top performing Russell Group universities like Oxford and Cambridge. More may be needed depending on the individual course, but it is rare for a university to demand more than three.
You are, however, able to take as many as five A level qualifications upon completing your key stage four GCSEs or equivalent exams. Why would you take more than you need? At certain schools and colleges, students will be encouraged to take more to broaden their opportunities and personal development. Students may want to increase their chances of qualifying for different university courses. Each university will ask for A levels in specific fields depending on the nature of the degree. For example, a data science course might ask for students to have passed A levels in maths and physics to accept their application. By taking up to five A levels, students will be able to broaden their interests and therefore keep their options open as to their next academic steps.
The obvious downside to taking more than three A levels is the amount of work that needs to be completed. Just like their GCSEs, students will have to attend classes, study, and pass exams in each individual course – and this is where JK Educate can help.
How JK Educate helps you pass your A Levels
Qualifying with three A levels is more than enough hard work for the vast majority of students. JK Educate offers outstanding A Level tutoring from our pool of experienced teachers and professional tutors to help students thoroughly prepare for their exams. JK tutored students achieve success either through our sustained programmes or short-term boosters. Whether they need to get back on track with their studies, need specific preparation for an exam or subject, or just need that extra all-round support, JK Educate has the expertise to develop students’ skills outside the classroom.
Tutoring to suit your needs
JK Educate tutoring is available in-person in London or online internationally. We cater to all situations to deliver the best service possible. During summer months or Easter breaks, many of our JK students like to keep up with their studies via our online tutoring.
Our programmes are flexible to suit students’ individual situations, including:
- Long-term A level tutors to offer support throughout the course, as often as daily or weekly.
- Short-term tuition before mock or final exams to help with last minute revision.
- Tutoring sessions during a school holiday, to cover A Level topics learned during the previous term.
Contact Us
If you or your A level student would benefit from:
- One-on-one learning to focus on needs and strengths.
- Targeted support for a specific A level subject or topic.
- More confident exam preparation.
- A personalised study plan.
Contact the JK Educate team to find a tutor today, or learn more about our A level tutoring.
