British A/O Levels?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by kajidoro, Aug 22, 2001.

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  1. kajidoro

    kajidoro New Member

    OKay, I've tried and tried to understand this, and it still means nothing to me. Can anyone help me understand the alphabet soup below?

    ...
    In order to satisfy the general entrance requirements for an undergraduate degree, students taking British GCSE/GCE 'O' levels and 'A' levels will need:

    Either passes in:
    two subjects at GCE ‘A’ Level + at least three further subjects at GCSE or GCE ‘O’ Level (at not less than grade C or a ‘pass’ if taken prior to 1975)
    or
    three subjects at GCE ‘A’ Level + one further subject at GCSE or GCE ‘O’ Level (at not less than grade C)
    or
    two subjects at GCE ‘A’ Level + two further subjects at ‘AS’ Level.
    ...

    Thanks,

    Christian
     
  2. rlevett

    rlevett New Member

    Hi, you are not the only one confused about the UK school leaving qualifications thanks mostly to politicians who love change for change sake. Even some University entrance staff are confused!

    Once upon a time there were 'O' level GCE's or just 'O' levels (Ordinary level General Certificate of Education), are the old (last ones in approx 1992 if I remember correctly)exams normally taken at 16 (school leaving age). Normally you would take upto 8 subjects. These were very academic exams - the less able (normally the poorer students in reality) took CSE's (grade 1 = grade C at O level). Grades A to C were considered good grades (D and E were considered fails by the academic universities)

    Then for fairness O levels and CSE's were replaced with GCSE's (General Certificate of Secendary Education) again taken at 16. These are grade A to G but after a lot of complaints an A* grade was introduced. Now some students take over 10 subjects. Some suggest that these are a lot easier than O-levels.

    For those who stay on after 16 there are even more options (growing by the minute as the government is probabley going to change it again)

    GCE A-levels are General Certificate of education Advanced levels taken normally at 18. These were designed for University entrance and are very academic. Normally you take 3 A-levels after two years of study (some take 4 or exceptionally 5). As a guideline Scottish and some American universities have given advanced placement to UK students with A-levels as they are very academic (but narrow especialy as most study related subjects ie all sciences).

    Then once upon a time it was decided that A-levels were too "narrow" ie you only studied 3 subjects. Hence;

    AS levels - Advanced Supplementary levels that were half of an A-level. Most universities will take them but the most academic ones look slightly down on these.

    It didnt work very well though as A-levels are the "Gold standard" that middle class parents aspire to hence;

    AS level (mark2) now these are equivalent to the first year of A-level study. These may only last one year though thanks to badly thought out implementation. The theory was that you sat 5-6 AS levels after one year and 3 A-levels after a further year.

    There are also Vocational A-levels, GNVQ,s and others that are more work based that can get you into University, and of couse Scotland has its own set of qualifications (Higher levels) that are very different!

    Thankfully now some suggest that an American style High School Diploma should be awarded at 18 getting rid of the alphabet soup of qualifications.

    Hope this is of some help! I left out quite a few alternative qualifications - its proof that us British are mad.

    Richard
     
  3. kajidoro

    kajidoro New Member

    Thanks Richard! I printed out your response and posted it next to my computer with all the school applications I am considering. [​IMG]

    UNISA - Out
    Monash - Out
    UoH - Out (huge residency requirement)
    UoL - Very likely
    USQ - Most likely

    Regards,

    Christian <-- Off to write his first major exam paper of the semester for his USQ award.
     
  4. Allen Slea

    Allen Slea New Member

    It's good that you're not considering Unisa anymore. The "alphabet soup" will kill you there. Check my topic...
     
  5. Yan

    Yan New Member

    Some US universities may grant credits to students with UK A-Level examinations. I got 16 semester credits for my 2 A-Level examinations (Economics and Pure Mathematics), i.e. 8 semester credits for each A Level examination, some 17 years ago. However, I don't know the situation now.
     

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