<h4>What is it?</h4> <p>Approximately half of all sixteen years olds go on to take A (Advanced) levels. These are academic qualifications valued by both universities and employers. </p> <p>A levels are two year qualifications with grades [A* - E] based on final exams taken at the end of the course. Most students take 3 A level subjects but some start with 4 and usually drop 1 after the first year.</p> <p>Some schools also offer students the opportunity to take AS level qualifications in year 12. An AS is equivalent to about half an A Level and will take one year.</p> <p>AS and A level grades both carry UCAS tariff points for a university course. Although AS levels only carry 40% of the points of an A level.</p> <p>What A and AS levels you can choose will be determined by what is available in your school or college. If you want to do a specific higher education course in the future it is a good idea to check which A levels may be needed for that course.</p> <h4>Where could I study?</h4> <p>Most young people take A level courses in school, at a 6th Form College or at a local further education (FE) college but be aware that not all colleges offer A levels..  It may be possible to combine studying A levels and other qualifications such as a BTEC in some schools and colleges.</p> <h4>Options after the course?</h4> <p>A and AS levels are one of the main routes into higher education, but they can also be useful if you want to go straight into a job or progress to an Advanced, Higher or Degree Apprenticeship.</p>