A Level Options Booklet
6th Form Handbook
A Levels: The World’s ‘Gold Standard’ of Education
The two-year AS/A-level programme builds naturally on the broad and academically rigorous IGCSE curriculum at Byron College. However, Byron College’s Sixth Form is also open to students transferring from other educational systems, provided their English language proficiency meets or exceeds the B2 level of the Common European Framework (equivalent to the Cambridge First Certificate).
At A-level, the focus shifts from breadth to depth, enabling students to explore their chosen subjects in greater detail. This specialization supports a seamless transition to university, as it allows both polymaths and specialists to excel. Our students thrive in a balanced programme that combines academic challenge with opportunities to lead, act as role models, and engage in diverse extracurricular activities essential for personal growth and the development of life skills.
Choosing A-levels as their route to university gives students the flexibility to tailor their studies to their passions, interests, and strengths. With 15 subjects available at Byron College, students take responsibility for their choices and are empowered to exceed expectations, achieving remarkable results.
In Year 12, students usually choose four Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) subjects. Depending on subject choice, tuition periods are either five or six hours a week. In addition, the most able and ambitious students are offered the opportunity to work on the Extended Project Qualification. Non- native speakers will also be offered tuition for the Cambridge IELTS exam, an additional entry requirement for many UK universities.
During Year 12 admissions officers from many UK, European and other universities present their courses to Byron College students, either in person or online.
In Year 13, students specialize further usually continuing three of their AS choices to A Level and applications are made to the universities of their choice.
During the Sixth form admissions officers from many UK, European and other universities present their courses to our students either through in person presentations or online. We offer continued guidance and advice in support of all university applications, including for Oxbridge.
For those Greek nationals wishing to be awarded the Greek Apolitirion by the Greek Ministry of Education, they will need to have gained a minimum of five GCSEs at the end of Year 11 and two A Levels at the end of Year 13.
The students sit examinations with the following examination boards:
2024 Byron College A-Level Exam Success.
Congratulations to all our Year 13 students who have achieved impressive grades and are now moving ahead with their university studies! An impressive 38% of all the A Levels taken were awarded an A*-A grade when the UK average is 28%.
All students were placed in universities of their option in the UK and around the world. Highlights from last year’s 2023 cohort include Imperial College London, University of Manchester, UCL (University College London), Durham University, University of St Andrews, University of Amsterdam, Eindhoven University of technology, University of Calgary and University of California.
University Destinations
UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS 2024-2025
Life in the Sixth Form was probably the most stressful yet best years of Byron for me. Growing up in Byron and looking up to some of the sixth formers while I was in Year 1 to finally being in their shoes myself, and inspiring others, was a very proud moment for me. Building a much closer relationship with teachers was also something I really appreciated about being in sixth form. We were able to get so close to our teachers to the point where we would see them as friends rather than a teachers; adults we could trust and share anything with. University is a new chapter of our lives, but it can never really replace Byron. I miss Byron a lot, and I even still wear my Byron hoodie to university sometimes. No matter how many more people I meet or new friends I make, it will definitely never feel the same as it was and still is with Byron. Taking A-Levels was extremely beneficial for me as the first year of university is essentially just going over A2 material, which I am already familiar with, making this transition period from school to university a much smoother process, and I would like to thank Byron and all my lovely teachers for that!
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