The UK A-levels are internationally recognized, publicly-examined, secondary school
(high school) qualifications accepted by institutions and employers worldwide. Their
main 21st century purpose is to access further and higher education but they are
also useful for career development or studying purely for interest. ITS has been an
accredited Academic Centre for teaching and examining A-levels since 2010. See our
results here. We offer
options for both the International A-level and the GCE A-level, depending on each
student's needs.
If you will be taking your exams in the UK then you
must take the GCE A-level option. ITS offers live learning options for GCE based on
hourly tutorial rates. This can be to supplement your school work or to support your
independent learning.
If you will be taking your exams outside the UK
then you must take the International A-level option. ITS offers two routes for this
version:
Online A-level study is particularly suited to those who: cannot access other
schools/institutions to complete their exams; face mobility problems that make it
difficult for them to attend mainstream schooling; are home-learners looking for
additional expert support; do not wish to attend overseas boarding schools to
complete their senior secondary education; are studying the IB, BTEC or other
syllabus but wish to add an additional subject to improve their academic portfolio;
are post-compulsory- school-age students not enrolled in another full-time secondary
school who need formal qualifications; or adult learners wishing to enhance/or
change their career or gain admission to university courses.
In
addition to taking A-levels, ITS will assist with UCAS applications for UK
universities, counsel US College admissions and provide SAT support and IELTS
support when needed.
Note: Students can either
come to Hong Kong to sit their
exams at an ITS school or ITS will advise in organizing an
alternate venue more locally. We will help you to decide the best option
depending on factors such as which country you live in, which passport you hold,
what your budget is, what time you have available and what other exam venues may
exist near you.
Here are some factors you SHOULD consider when choosing A-level
subjects:
Career – Make sure that the subjects
you are choosing are appropriate to achieve the next step on your desired pathway.
This is very important as some students reach the end of their A-levels only to
discover they haven't done the correct subjects for what they want to study at
university. Get your goal clear in your head and then work back from there to see
what you need to do to achieve it. If you find you do not like any of the steps
involved then you may need to rethink your goal or ask yourself whether you can
handle some less desirable elements to get there. If you need help, consult those
around you such as parents and teachers for their experiences. You can consult with
an ITS adviser or career coach. But ultimately, the decision is
yours.
Enjoyment – Try to choose subjects
you enjoy doing. Even if you are good at a certain subject, you might not actually
enjoy it. If you look forward to lessons, chances are you will approach them
confidently and enthusiastically and happily undertake your additional personal
study. The end result is that you will likely gain much better exam results. If you
don't enjoy a subject you should seriously question why you are considering
it.
Research –
Look carefully at the syllabuses for the subjects your intend to choose. Edexcel
provides ALL the information you can think of at https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html.
Strengths - Read through the
syllabuses for subjects you are considering doing to see whether they play to your
strengths and your enjoyment [see above].
Traditional vv
Non-traditional subjects – Some top universities will not
consider certain subjects they deem too "soft". They will only consider academic
subjects. Less rigorous subjects include Dance, Sports Studies, Photography and the
like. Both Cambridge and the London School of Economics have published lists of
these subjects on their websites, as they believe they are "less effective"
preparation for degrees. So if you are planning to apply to top universities such as
Cambridge, St Andrews, Imperial College or UCL, it is worth investigating whether
your chances of being accepted into these institutions is reduced if you take one or
more of these "soft" subjects. Check each individual course for the entry
requirements.
Workload – Another good reason to
read through the syllabuses of each subject you are considering is to check how they
are assessed. How much coursework is there? How many tests/exams are there? Are
there any practical assessments? How much reading is likely? These all effect how
many hours of study you will need to put in.
Options –
Many people do not have an idea of what career they would like to follow or even
which university course they would like to do. Even more reason to do something you
like. Go for A-levels you find interesting and are good at. This means you’re
likely to achieve high grades, and still go on to a good university course, whether
you apply immediately or if you choose to apply later on. Only very particular
courses and careers require particular A-levels [such as medicine].
Visit our International
GCSE/GCE/International A-level FAQ page
For more information please
call +852
2116 3916 or email
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.