A Levels and Baccalaureate
General qualifications at Level 3 include A Levels, AS Levels and Baccalaureates.
A Levels and AS Levels
A Levels are the more traditional Level 3 qualifications and still the most common university entrance qualifications.
How do A Levels work?
The first year of 6th form leads to AS exams – and AS Level is a qualification in its own right. You can then progress to A2 (a full A Level) in a second year of study.
Applied A Levels
Applied A Levels are designed to develop your knowledge and skills in broad vocational areas. They are an excellent preparation for further study or training.
Applied A Levels cover areas such as science, IT, engineering, health and social care, business studies, leisure and tourism, and art and design.
You can take a mixture of Applied A Levels and more academic A Levels at the same time. If you do this, remember that Applied A Levels can have two different values:
- Singles are worth the same as one A Level.
- Doubles are worth two A Levels.
Baccalaureates
There are two types of baccalaureate offered in Norfolk – the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the AQA Baccalaureate.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Often referred to as the IB.
a Level 3 programme designed for highly motivated students
The IB is a Level 3 programme designed for highly motivated students and is offered in a limited range of schools.
IBs are internationally recognised qualifications based around detailed academic study of a wide range of subjects, including languages, the arts, science, maths, history and geography.
The IB leads to a single qualification, rather than separate qualifications for individual subjects. However if you don't achieve the full diploma, you'll be awarded a certificate for each subject taken.
AQA Baccalaureate
Usually referred to as the AQA Bacc.
The AQA Bacc is just being piloted by a few 6th forms in Norfolk, starting in 2009. Find out more about it from the AQA Bacc website.
