A Levels are two-year courses for Year 12 and Year 13 (Form 6 and Form 7), designed for students who are 16 years old by September 1. Students can enter after completing either Form 4 or Form 5, depending on their birth month.
British universities typically require at least three A Level subjects for admission. There are no compulsory A Level subjects; students can choose from over 50 options based on their intended university major, relevant academic background, abilities, and interests.
Are you considering studying A Levels in the UK or completing the DSE to gain entry to a UK university? Visit our page on A level vs DSE to explore score distributions and discover how A Levels can provide an advantage for achieving high marks and gaining admission to your dream university.
Additionally, if your current elective subjects do not meet the requirements for a science or engineering major at a UK university, studying A Levels may be a beneficial option. For more information, check out the UK university admission requirements.
You can study A Levels at UK fUK FE Colleges , UK Sixth Form Colleges, and UK boarding schools.. Tuition fees range from HK$250,000 to HK$500,000, including room and board. Maxway Education can help you explore the best options based on your budget and needs.
If you lack the elective subjects needed for your desired university major and are currently in Form 4 or Form 5, it may be more beneficial to complete the DSE and then pursue a UK Foundation or UK International Year 1 in Mathematics.
So why consider A Levels?
1. If I choose to study A Levels in the UK because I lack Biology or Chemistry, hoping to expand my options for British universities, will secondary schools accept a Form 4 student with no relevant science background for A Level courses?
In this situation, students may consider attending a sixth-form college in the UK, where it is generally easier to access the necessary A Level courses.
If you are only 14 years old, you can opt for the British GCSE program; if you are 15, you can choose a one-year GCSE course.
2. What are the specific A Levels subjects for studying Architecture, Surveying, and Law in the UK?
Studying law in the UK: There are no specific A Level subject requirements, but it is recommended to take essay-based subjects, such as Psychology, History, or English Literature, as they may be beneficial.
British Surveyor: There are no specific A Level subject requirements for pursuing a degree in surveying.
British architectse: In the UK, architecture programs generally require a portfolio of artwork. Recommended A Level subjects include Mathematics, Physics (recommended), and Art.
3. I only have two DSE elective subjects: BAFS and Economics. Can I take three A Level subjects: Economics, Business Studies, and Mathematics?
Yes, you can, but the G5 universities in the UK—such as Cambridge, Oxford, University College London (UCL), London School of Economics (LSE), and Imperial College—consider Economics and Business Studies to be too similar. Taking both may negatively impact your grades. As a result, top boarding schools in the UK typically do not allow students to enroll in these two A Level subjects simultaneously. However, if your boarding school permits you to take four A Level subjects, you can take both Economics and Business Studies together.
4. Should I take A Level Chinese?
It ultimately depends on the level of UK university you are applying to. G5 universities, such as University College London (UCL) and London School of Economics (LSE), do not accept students whose native language is Chinese for the British A Level Chinese course.
In contrast, other Russell Group universities, including the University of Sheffield , Lancaster University , Durham University , University of Bristol , Royal Holloway University of London , The University of Manchester , and University of Liverpool, do allow students to take the A Level Chinese course.
a. UK A Levels vs. DSE
Before the pandemic, 26.4% of A Level exams in the UK scored an A or above, while 16.8% of DSE exams achieved a score of 5 or above. For more details, see A-level vs DSE.
b. Which UK A Level Subject is the Easiest?
Further Mathematics has the highest pass rate, with 57.8% achieving an A or above, followed by Mathematics at 42.2%. In comparison, only 15.1% of DSE students scored 5 or above in Mathematics, while M1 and M2 had pass rates of 30% and 39.7%, respectively.
c. Which UK A Level Subject is the Most Difficult to Achieve an A?
English has an A pass rate of 11%, and English Language & Literature has a pass rate of 12.5%. Other subjects, such as Drama, Design and Technology, Computing, Communication Studies, Business Studies, ICT, Law, Media, PE, Psychology, and Sociology, also have A pass rates of less than 20%.
6. I am currently in Form 5. Should I study A Levels or a Foundation program?
If you are considering studying in the UK after Form 5, a Foundation program may be a suitable option (Foundation to study in the UK in Form 5: Foundation A-level ). There are various British courses tailored to different student needs. Feel free to reach out for more information!
A level vs IB: Five factors to consider when deciding between studying A Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB)
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