A-Level Programmes Study Mode: Full Time | Course Level: Level 3

Course Summary

Where will this course lead?

A-Levels provide an academic route for students wishing to progress to university as part of their wider career journey. If you haven't yet decided on your future career or university options, A-Levels can help you keep your options open. These qualifications are also highly-regarded by employers.

What will I study?

Business Studies

The A-level Business course introduces you to all you need to know about working in business, providing a solid foundation for further study. With a focus on helping you to become a good decision maker, you'll learn essential managerial skills, alongside techniques to help you become an analytical problem solver. These skills are all highly sought after and valued in a wide range of careers, further study and career opportunities. If you'd like to study business, finance or management at university, A-level Business provides an excellent foundation. The skills you learn are transferable across a broad range of subjects and careers. Whatever you choose to do in the future, you'll find that the things you learn in this course will help. For example, you'll probably work with lots of different people, so knowledge of motivational theory will help you to work well with others and help them achieve their potential. You might have ambitious plans to start your own business. If that's the case, you'll find the marketing and finance topics particularly useful.

History of Art

The study of Art in its historical contexts will give you the opportunity to gain crucial knowledge of world civilisations. You will gain valuable visual and analytical skills that can be applied in many walks of life and the understanding of how images and objects work to shape our social and political identities. You will also develop your skills of research and investigation into art through first hand experience.

You will also develop skills of analysing sculpture and architecture and understand its historical, social and cultural contexts. You will learn about the European tradition of Art, from Classical Greece (500 BCE) to the present. You will explore composition, colour, pictorial space, light and tone, form, line, scale, texture, pattern and other formal elements to achieve certain effects.

If you wish to study Art related subjects in the future, A level History of Art will provide a thorough grounding in the analytical skills you will need to succeed.

Sociology

A level Sociology aims to provide you with an in-depth understanding and respect for the social world around you, the diverse society we live in and factors which can affect the behaviour of individuals. It allows students to think critically, reflectively whilst understanding the issues that affect society today and its gradual evolution. and the ability to recognise the environmental factors affecting the behaviour of individuals and groups, and by extension, society. Through the study of Sociology as an evidence-based approach to understanding social phenomena, our students will develop the courage and resilience to appreciate the causes, impact and subsequent consequences of societal change on the structure of social institutions such as the family, education, religion and crime. Furthermore, you will develop the necessary skills to scientifically investigate society, critically assess evidence and build the courage to consider solutions to today's societal issues. Through studying A level Sociology, you will develop key values of respect, responsibility, resilience, kindness, and courage. You will be equipped with a greater understanding of the challenges facing not only you, but society as a whole. You will learn the fundamentals of the subject and develop skills valued by higher education (HE) and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking, and research. You will build on skills developed in the sciences and humanities, enabling progression into a wide range of other subjects.

Law

The A level Law curriculum will allow you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role of law in today's society, alongside an awareness of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and how this applies to our lives. It also aims to enrich learning through an insight into the sector, developing your skills in both internal assessments and external examinations, whilst having the competence to develop your career. The skills you will develop through this curriculum are highly sought after by higher education and employers and will allow you to progress onto a higher-level study or an associated and challenging career such as Solicitors, Barristers, Legal Executives or Paralegals. The specification develops your analytical and problem-solving capabilities as you will learn to apply legal rules when analysing a scenario, allowing you to identify the key facts from which legal issues arise. You will learn how to formulate a legal argument, analysing legislation by applying the rules and principles of statutory interpretation and analysing case law by applying the doctrine of precedent. Using your evaluative skills, you will learn how to formulate a reasoned argument to support a particular scenario by reference to the relevant legal rules and principles that support that argument.

Psychology

This course will offer you an insight into Psychology. You will learn about the key aspects of the subject as well as develop your own academic skills including critical analysis, independent thinking, and research. You will learn about the understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies and ethical issues in relation to psychology. If you are interested in learning about the human mind and why we act and think the way we do, then this is the ideal choice of subject for you. Another benefit is the development of communication skills throughout your course. These skills will be invaluable in your future career within psychology. There are many career paths to consider including clinical psychologists, sports psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology and counsellors, teacher, and researcher.

History

The A-level History qualification has been designed to help students understand the significance of historical events, the role of individuals in history and the nature of change over time. Our qualifications will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the past through political, social, economic and cultural perspectives. The engaging topics available to you throughout the course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you require to succeed as A-level historians.

You will learn about the history of more than one country or state, including at least one outside the British Isles, through different periods and themes. You will learn about different historical perspectives, for example aesthetic, cultural, economic, ethnic, political, religious, scientific, social or technological.

English Language and Literature (Combined)

This exciting course allows you to study a range of Literature, including an anthology entitled Paris, a modern novel and a play. The course also allows you to produce your own piece of coursework based on your independent reading based on a theme. This will be a personal investigation on a theme of your choice. This coursework is 2,500 to 3,000 words.

You will also take two written exams in year one and one in year two of the course.

The course encourages a love of reading and will prepare you for your next steps. You will develop your writing skills as well as skills of analysing how writers use language to create meaning. You will have opportunities to engage in discussions in class, focussing on themes, characterisation, context and the language used by different writers to create meaning.

This A level should NOT be studied alongside A level English Literature.

English Literature

This course is engaging and exciting, allowing you to approach the study of literature through the ages, encouraging the independent study of a range of texts. This will allow you to develop a wide range of skills, such as the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research which are valuable for both further study and future employment.

Offering clear progression from GCSE, this course will allow you to build on the skills and knowledge already gained and prepare for your next steps.

You will study a Shakespeare play and a poetry anthology, all through the lens of Love through the Ages or Aspects of Tragedy.

You will also study a novel and produce a piece of writing based on your own independent study.

This A level should NOT be studied alongside A level English Language and Literature (Combined).

Photography

Throughout the 2 year A Level Course you will be introduced to a variety of Photographic experiences that explore a range of Traditional and Digital Photographic media, techniques and processes. You will explore through theoretical investigation and practical application Genres of Photography, these will include, Portraiture, Landscape, Documentary, Fashion, Experimental Image Making and Moving Image.You will gain knowledge and a full understanding of the elements of Visual Language and an awareness of the purpose of your chosen specialist area. You will gain skills in reading and interpreting an image and understand the importance on Context when developing your own Photographic responses to set briefs. Through Lectures and seminars, you will have an understanding of how images relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical context, and top the time and place in which they were created.

This is an exciting A Level to student and the skills you will learn are fully transferable to industry practice.

3-Dimensional Design

Throughout this 2-year programme you will be introduced to a variety of experiences, techniques and processes that will allow you to explore Three-Dimensional Design and give you an awareness of both traditional and new media processes. You will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources that give context to design

You will explore the use of drawing for different purposes, using a variety of methods and media on a variety of scales. You will build a detailed understanding through creative investigation and making processes of different styles, genres and traditions.

Areas of Study will include but not be limited to the following.

3D Digital Design
Ceramics
Design for Theatre, Television and Film
Interior Design
Jewellery
Product Design
Sculptures

It is important to think carefully about the combination of A-Levels in relation to your chosen career aims. To help you, we offer A-Level Pathways to help you progress to university and achieve your career ambitions.

Pathway	A-Level Subject Combination
Business Pathway	Business Studies Law English Language & Literature
Art Pathway	History of Art Photography Three-Dimensional Design
Social Science Pathway	Sociology Psychology Law
Humanities Pathway	History English Literature History of Art
Cultural Studies Pathway	English Language & Literature Sociology History of Art
Digital Content Pathway	Three-Dimensional Design Photography English Language & Literature

Students are welcome to choose one of the above pathways, or can choose 3 subjects individually from the below grid (one from each column).

Option A Choose one...	Option B Choose one...	Option C Choose one...
English Language & Literature	English Language & Literature	English Language & Literature
Psychology	History	Photography
Business Studies	Law	Sociology
History of Art	Three-Dimensional Design	English Literature

In addition, all students will have a Personal Progress and Development Session each week. You will also be expected to undertake a work experience placement during your A-Level Study Programme.

Your subject choices will be discussed and confirmed at interview stage. You do not need to select them at this stage of your application.

How will this course be delivered?

These 2-year A-Level programmes will be delivered on-site at the College's Blossomfield Campus in Solihull.