Yr 2 Extension Courses

Spring 2013

AS Citizenship

• AS Citizenship is open to all second year students.

• It is a combination of topics drawn from Government and Politics, Law and Sociology.

• It carries the same UCAS points as any other AS subject and is recognised by all universities

• Students sit two examinations in May.

• Learning activities include group work, individual research tasks, discussions, and teacher led activities.

• There will be opportunities for taking part in trips to the Houses of Parliament, student conferences and various types of courts/tribunals.

• Students will be informed about and encouraged to take part in citizenship activities in college and in the community.

• There will also be opportunities to attend presentations given by visiting speakers such as MP’s and representatives from pressure groups.

AS/A2 Critical Thinking

• Better A Level results

• Better Uni prospects

• Better job prospects

• Better life!

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AS/A2 Critical Thinking

• AS Critical Thinking directly follows on from ‘Thinking and Reasoning Skills’, building on what you have already learned. • An opportunity to turn your TRS skills into a full AS level.• The latest research shows that students who study Critical Thinking tend to do better in their other A Levels.• Critical Thinking could help with UCAS applications and interviews. The skills are highly valued by universities & the qualification may count for UCAS point offers.• Many university entrance tests (e.g. LNAT/BMAT) are based on CT skills, which the AS will help prepare you for.

AS/A2 Critical Thinking

• Two exams in May/June.

• Exam preparation won’t interfere at all with your other subjects – in fact, it will help you to do better in them.

• For those who have done AS Critical Thinking in your first year - you can take it atA2 in your second year.

• Look at the QE Online site for more information or speak to Paul Joseph (room M27).

Extended Project Qualification

The Extended Project is an opportunity to do a piece of extended work on an area of interest to you.

What it involves is:-

•Choosing an area of interest – this may be related to an aspect of your A-level work, or something entirely different.•You come up with a title for the project, and what you are aiming to do•You plan, research & carry out the project, keeping records of everything you do.•You deliver a presentation on the project, where you are asked questions about it.

Extended Project Qualification

The finished project could be…

• a written report• a book or guide• a performance• a piece of art• an exhibition• a piece of music or a film• a website or a piece of computer software• a model or construction• a video diary

• The University welcomes applications from students who have taken the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). We see this as positive evidence of motivation to explore a subject in greater depth, as well as an opportunity for further development of analytical, critical thinking and independent research skills. If your results fall short of the offer level by a small margin, for example one A-level grade, your Extended Project result will be taken into account by the academic admissions selector.

University of Essex • From now on all applicants for our Humanities courses

(excluding Music), and Human and Social Sciences courses (excluding Maths) undertaking an EPQ will be made an alternative offer alongside our traditional offer.  

Extended Project Qualification

(continued)•The alternative offer will be one grade reduced from our traditional offer in exchange for an A in the EPQ. It is our hope that this will send out a clear message to students that we value the EPQ, and appreciate the hard work that goes into completing one.

University of Southampton

•[We] encourage students to complete an EPQ, where possible, as we value the development of skills in independent study and research, which an EPQ can offer. … an EPQ in the subject that is related to the course or discipline that you wish to progress into … may be taken into account by admissions tutors when making decisions between applicants of equal academic standing.

University of Sheffield

Extended Project Qualification

AS General Studies

What will I learn?• The course is designed to encourage a keen

understanding of contemporary issues and current affairs.

• Students are taught to present logical arguments and to interpret the relative merit of different pieces of evidence.

• Studying General Studies helps you to develop critical thinking, debating, communication and essay-writing skills.

• The course enables you to make use of and build on the specialist knowledge you already have and broaden your knowledge of areas you know less about.

• The main topic areas are Science & Technology, Politics & Society, Arts & Media, Business & Industry and Beliefs & Values.

AS General Studies

How will I learn?• Taught blocks and independent study.• Students need to take an interest in current affairs

outside of class.• Lessons are varied, and include class discussion,

group research, student presentations, relevant DVDs and newspaper articles, worksheets and practice questions.

What next?• A good grade will show that you have studied a broad

curriculum and can think critically and flexibly and communicate clearly about a range of contemporary issues.

• Many university courses make offers which count AS General Studies as equivalent to any other AS level subject. However, each course sets its own grade/points requirements, so do your research carefully!

Asset Languages

• An opportunity to learn a completely new language (“beginners’ level”) or to improve your skills in one you have already studied (“intermediate level”).

• The languages available are German, Italian, Spanish, and French.

• Work in lessons will include role play activities, listening tasks, and reading, with a mixture of pair work, group activities and individual work.

Guten Tag? Hola? Salut? Zdravstvuj ? Hej? Ciao?

Asset Languages

The work covered on the course leads to certification via a test at the end of the year in one or more skill (speaking, listening, reading, writing).

(Examination board: OCR)

At beginners’ level the topics you

cover may include the family, shopping, daily routine, eating

out, and asking for directions.

Asset Languages

Why study a language? Languages give you the edge in the job market. A recent survey showed that European languages, in particular French and German, are highly sought after by employers. 74% of employers are looking for people with conversational competence.

Learning languages gives you greater opportunities to travel and work abroad.

Universities value languages. UCL, for instance, requires a Modern Language GCSE at grade C or above for all of its programmes. (Otherwise undergraduates must take a language course at UCL.)

Certificate in Financial Studies

The course has been designed by the Institute of Financial Studies, a non profit making organisation that provides training for the financial services industry•The course has been designed to encourage individuals to make informed and confident decisions regarding their finances.

•It will help you to become aware of personal financial issues and addresses the need to improve financial literacy.

•It aims to develop an appreciation of the need for financial understanding and should benefit students as they become independent citizens

Certificate in Financial Studies• The IFS provides teaching materials and the

assessment materials that you will use• The CFS is UCAS accredited and is graded and is

given UCAS points in the same way as an AS course• Students take three units

• Unit 1. Why Money Matters.• Unit 2. Risk and Reward in personal Finance.• Unit 3. Making Personal Financial Judgements.• Units 1 and 2 are examined using hour long online

multiple choice tests• Unit 3 is written exam of 90 minutes based on a

written case study

Certificate in Financial Studies

• In 2013/4 this course may be available to students who are not taking a Business related course at AS or A2 level

• Students need to have an interest in finance. This course will appeal to students who want a better understanding of the typical personal financial issues we all face, such as budgeting, obtaining loans and mortgages and tax issues.

• It may also be of interest to those who are thinking of a career in the financial services industry.

• The course makes considerable use of on line resources

Yr 2 Extension Courses

Spring 2013