A-levels

A-levels

A-levels and the International Baccalaureate are both brilliant systems at preparing students for university. This is why King's Wimbledon offers both programs at study in year 12 and year 13. At King's Bangkok we favour A-levels for a number of reasons, and we feel they will enable our students to excel and reach the best universities in the world. 

A levels are a two year program that runs from the start of year 12 to the end of year 13.

We believe that A-levels are the very best for our students:

- Students can study for 3 or 4 A-levels. Students can choose any combination the school offers and are not obliged to take a science, language, humanities or English as they would be in the IB.

- Certain popular favourable subject combinations, such as 3 sciences, are allowed by A-level but are not possible with IB.

- A-levels have sufficient flexibility in the timetable to allow students to explore an EPQ. EPQ stands for extended project qualification. It is an independent research task and involves either writing an extended essay of about 5,000 words or creating a product with an accompanying shorter essay of about 1,000 words. 

- A-levels allow students who find English challenging the opportunity to complete an IELTS program which is required by top universities in the English-speaking world for study. 

- A levels allow students to develop independence and problem solving capabilities as well as taking responsibility for their own research; both skills that will set them up perfectly for study at international universities.

- King's Bangkok aims to offer A-levels in the following subjects in the upcoming years:

Mathematics, further mathematics, English literature, biology, chemistry, physics, geography, history, Mandarin, Spanish, French, Japanese, psychology, economics, business  studies, physical education, design technology, art, music and drama. 

Here at King’s Bangkok, we ensure that your child is well prepared to not only complete but also to achieve excellence in A-levels. We know that it is very important as a basis for higher education. Our intention is to provide your child with what is needed for whatever further education path they wish to pursue. 

However, years 12 and 13 are not only about the A-levels and academic development. These are character-shaping years which are crucial for setting students up for life. With King’s Bangkok, you can rest assured that your child will be given the best opportunities to become a successful young adult that embodies our core values of respect, tolerance, kindness and care for all.  
 

A-level stands for advanced level

• Students normally take 3 or 4 A-levels in year 13.

• They study for two years (year 12 and year 13.)

• In some subjects, the courses are broken into AS-levels that students take at the end of year 12 and full A-levels students taken at the end of year 13.

• Universities in the UK will make offers based on A-level teacher predictions. 

• Students will have to work hard in year 12 to get good offers. 

• Offers are conditional and the students will need to hit their grade offer to accept their place.

• American universities will be less interested in subject combinations as they run their own entrance programs featuring tests and essays. The school will support in these applications. 

UK universities will require certain combinations of subjects for and minimum grades for select courses.

• Architecture: maths and physics are preferred.

• Business studies: maths is preferred and business studies is preferred

• Computer Science: applicants should ideally offer maths and physics. Computer science is also desirable. 

• Economics: applicants must take maths A-level. Economics A-level is optional but suggested.

• Engineering: applicants are expected to take maths (for the best universities further maths is preferred) alongside physics. DT is a good supporting subject.

• English: applicants need to take either English literature or combined English language and literature at A-level.

• History: applicants must take history A-level.

• History and Modern Languages: applicants must take an A-level in the relevant language and history.

• Law: There are no specific requirements but an essay subject such as English or history is preferred.

• Maths: applicants are normally expected to offer maths (for the best universities then further maths) and physics is preferred.

• Medicine: applicants must take chemistry A-level, and it is suggested to take two further A-levels out of biology, physics, maths and further maths.

• Modern Languages: applicants must take at least one of their selected languages at A-level.

• Music: applicants must take Music A-level.

• Sciences: Students should take their preferred science(s) and for the best universities maths is also considered favourable.

• Psychological & Behavioural Sciences: applicants must take at least one out of maths, biology, physics and chemistry.