6 Reasons Foreign Students Should Consider

Studying A-levels in Britain

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4 December, 2013

The decision to study abroad is a big one, and not one to

be taken lightly. But it brings a host of benefits that you’ll
find stay with you throughout life, from a strong academic
record, to confidence and life experience, to a host of new
friends.
You should also read…
 How to Choose the Right A-levels
 The International Pupils’ Complete Guide to English Schools
In this article, we’ll look at what’s involved in studying for A-levels, as well as the International
Baccalaureate, which some consider academically tougher. We’ll run through some of the major
advantages you’ll enjoy if you choose to take this exciting step in your academic career and come to
the UK to study for these all-important qualifications. Not only will your end-of-school qualifications
affect your choice of degree and careers, the time when you take A-levels – usually, when you’re
aged 16-18 – is a very exciting one, so it’s worth thinking carefully about the best way to spend it.
All about A-levels
As an international student, you may not be familiar with the concept of A-levels, and they may
seem quite different from the equivalent qualifications in your own country, so let’s start with a bit of
background information on what A-levels are and how they work.

What are A-levels and when are they taken?

Officially known as GCE Advanced Levels, A-levels provide two years of intensive study across
several subjects of the student’s choosing, with the outcome being a series of respected
qualifications with which to apply to university. A-levels are typically taken between the ages of 16-
18 as the culmination of secondary education, but it’s possible to study them as a mature student
later on as well.

How are A-levels structured, and how many should I take?

A-levels are structured into AS levels, taken in the first year, and A2, taken in the second year.
Students typically take four AS levels, and may choose to drop one AS level for the A2 year, leaving
them with a total of three full A-levels – the minimum required for any respected university in the
UK. Both AS and A2 courses are broken into a series of modules covering different topic areas and
issues within each subject. While the AS course typically focuses on the acquisition and application
of knowledge and skills, A2 courses are generally designed to develop skills in analysis and critical
evaluation.
Many students choose to take on more than three A-levels, particularly those who are more
academic and are aiming for entrance to the top universities. Furthermore, many schools and
colleges set a compulsory extra subject, General Studies, at either AS or full A-level; this subject is
designed to broaden general knowledge andcritical thinking skills, but it is not generally
accepted towards minimum entrance requirements by respected UK universities. Indeed, not all A-
level subjects are equally well-respected; ‘traditional subjects’, such as English Literature, Maths or
Physics, are more highly regarded than newer disciplines such as Media Studies. There’s more
guidance on this in our article on choosing the right A-level subjects.

How are A-levels assessed?

Some courses are assessed more by coursework, others more by exam, so it’s worth looking that up if the type of
assessment is a factor for you.

A-level assessment is via exams and coursework, the latter being longer pieces of work that you
work on and submit during the course of your studies, not in an exam environment. For students
who crumble under the pressure of exams, coursework provides the opportunity to showcase a
range of academic skills in a less high-pressured environment, rather than just the ability to do well
in exams and remember facts.
Exams are taken at the end of each of the two years, in May and June, often following a period of
‘study leave’, during which you’ll have time to revise on your own rather than being committed to a
structured programme of lessons. Exams for certain modules of some subjects (usually sciences)
may be taken in January. Results will be released in August.
How are A-levels graded?
At the time of writing, A-levels are graded from A* to U, with A* being the best possible mark
(reflecting a total score of 90% or more) and U being Unclassified, the lowest possible mark. When
you get your results sheet, you’ll be able to work out grades for individual modules as well as being
able to see your overall result.

An alternative to A-levels: the International

Baccalaureate
The alternative qualification available at some schools and colleges in the UK is the International
Baccalaureate(IB), an internationally recognised qualification considered by some to be harder and
more rigorous than A-levels. With a compulsory six subjects, the IB provides a wider range of tuition,
including a mandatory language and mathematics subject. This will not come as good news to those
who can’t wait to give up maths! Grading differs from A-levels; the IB is marked on a scale between
1 and 7 for individual subjects, with an extra three marks for the Theory of Knowledge and Extended
Essay components, giving a maximum total of 45. The IB is assessed with a single round of exams
at the end of the two years, so if you’re not someone who copes well with the stress of exams, you
may prefer to spread your exams across two years and opt for A-levels instead. If, on the other
hand, you’re academically ambitious with a well-rounded knowledge base and skill set, you may find
you rise to the challenge of the IB.
So why study A-levels as an international student?
Now that the background stuff is out of the way, let’s get onto the real purpose of this article – a look
at the benefits of studying A-levels as an international student. If you’re still in the process of
deciding whether or not to take this step, or you need help convincing your parents that it’s a good
idea, here are six great reasons you should come to the UK to study for A-levels (or the IB – the
choice is yours!).

1. An education system respected for academic

success
The UK education system is highly respected the world over, having produced some of the world’s
greatest thinkers, writers, politicians and scientists, both past and present. Coming from abroad to
study in the UK, you’ll be part of a long academic tradition and you’ll be in an environment in which
academic success is valued and respected. Whether you choose to go to university in the UK or
anywhere else in the world, having A-level qualifications on your applications will stand you in good
stead.
2. Make it easier to apply to UK universities
 The University of Bradford’s School of Management.

Though UK universities will usually accept A-level equivalent academic qualifications from overseas,
there’s no getting away from the fact that they are geared towards students who’ve done A-levels,
and the A-level is seen as the standard measure of academic success in the UK. The IB is
increasingly popular, but the overwhelming majority of applicants to universities in the UK will have
A-levels on which their offers will be based. Coming to the UK to study A-levels not only means that
you’ll fit in better with the UK education system and university expectations, but it’s also a solid
introduction to what it’s like studying in the UK, which will better prepare you for studying at a UK
university if you decide that’s the path you want to take.

3. A chance to develop your English skills

If English isn’t your native tongue, studying A-levels in the UK is a fantastic way to develop your
fluency in Englishto the level that will be required for entry into a British university. Immersed in
English on a daily basis, both at college and socially, you’ll quickly pick up the nuances and
subtleties of the English language – not to mention the everyday colloquialisms that no language
book will teach you.
Note, however, that you’ll need to be at a minimum level of English proficiency in order to start
studying A-levels; you will struggle otherwise. Each college will have its own admissions policy, but
will more than likely need some sort of proof that your English skills are strong enough to withstand
the rigours of A-level study. If you don’t feel confident in your level of English, it’s strongly advisable
to take an English course in it prior to your application to study in the UK.
4. Be a tourist

Highclere Castle, where the TV series Downton Abbey is filmed.

The UK is packed with interesting history, going back thousands of years and just as evident on the
streets of ordinary towns and cities as at major cultural hotspots. From ancient sites like
Stonehenge, to Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, to London’s popular tourist
 hotspots, there’s enough to see and do in the UK to last a lifetime, let alone your two years of A-level
study. That’s without even mentioning the UK’s numerous areas of outstanding natural beauty, rich
theatrical offering and the huge array of international cuisines available almost everywhere.

To get you started, and to help convince you that the UK is a great place to spend two years, here
are just a few of the places you’ll have the chance to visit if you come to study in the UK:

 Buckingham Palace, London – one of the Queen’s official residences. Make sure you catch a
Changing of the Guard!
 The Tower of London, London – where once England’s traitors were incarcerated.
 Madam Tussauds, London – pose with waxwork models of all your favourite actors and actresses
at this enormously popular museum with a difference.
 Christ Church, Oxford – and lots of other Oxford colleges, in fact. Christ Church’s beautiful hall
stood in for the Hogwarts great hall in Harry Potter.
 Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire – the stunning birthplace of war-time Prime Minister Winston
Churchill offers a pleasant foray into the Cotswolds, a famous region of the UK noted for its
quintessential English villages and beautiful countryside.
 Windsor Castle, Berkshire – another of the Queen’s official residences, Windsor has been home to
a long string of monarchs.
 Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon – visit the birthplace of the world’s most famous
playwright – and the homes of his wife, mother, daughter and granddaughter.
 Highclere Castle – if the alluring world of Downton Abbey hasn’t yet reached you, it will almost
certainly do so during your stay in the UK. It was filmed at Highclere Castle, so if you fancy stepping
back into the opulent world of the English stately home, you can’t do much better than Highclere.
 Stonehenge, Wiltshire – an ancient and mysterious prehistoric stone circle – the world’s largest.
 The Lake District – home to the poet Wordsworth and Peter Rabbit children’s author Beatrix Potter,
the Lake District National Park is famous for its breathtaking landscape of mountains and lakes. It’s
a haven of tranquillity popular with tourists and UK residents alike.
5. Make new friends with people from other cultures
Studying in the UK is also a great opportunity to mix with students from a range of other cultures,
and not just born-and-bred Brits. UK colleges are popular with students from all over the world, so as
well as British students, you can look forward to making friends with people from a variety of
nationalities and backgrounds – a culturally enriching experience that will provide a good preparation
for life at university, which will be even more cosmopolitan. The two years you spend studying A-
levels in the UK will give you the opportunity to make friends for life – not to mention a great excuse
to come back to the UK later on!

6. Boost your job prospects

 Studying in England may make it easier to find a job in future.

Studying abroad – and immersing yourself in a new culture – teaches you valuable interpersonal
skills and gives you life experience and confidence that may place you ahead of those who have not
had this experience. This will enhance your CV in the eyes of a prospective employer when you
enter the job market later on. Add to this the fact that, as already noted, the UK education system is
highly respected by employers worldwide, and you have a stronger CV and potentially better job
prospects than your peers.

We hope we’ve managed to convince you that the UK is a fabulous place to study, and that A-levels
are a great set of qualifications with which to approach university applications and, beyond that, your
career. If you’re still not sure, why not book yourself onto one of our courses and get a taster of
what it’s like to study in the UK? We have students from a huge range of nationalities, so you’ll fit
right in.