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.
2023 Results: Scholarships:
Demetrios Economou is well on his way to achieving his goal to become an astronaut. He begins an MEng in Aeronautical Engineering, at the age of 17, at Imperial College, London in September 2023, on a full scholarship awarded by the Masason Foundation. This organization supports youth with high aspirations and exceptional talents to develop their skills and to contribute to the future of humankind.
https://masason-foundation.org/en/scholars/
In addition to being a talented Scientist and Mathematician, Demetrios is multilingual, speaking fluent English, Greek, Japanese and Chinese, and an exceptional cellist. He served as Deputy Head boy at Byron College (2022-23) and played an active role in all areas of school life as a student leader. As an accomplished public speaker, he also embraced Model United Nations, most notably as a delegate at Byron College’s annual participation in Oxford MUN.
In his own words, as published on the Masason Foundation Generation 6 scholarship awards:
- 2013 skipped a grade and graduated primary school at age 10
- 2016 Published research book on Artificial Intelligence in Shanghai
- 2017 chosen to be in gifted and talented program, wrote my first scientific research paper on asteroid 101955 Bennu
- 2020 2nd Prize in senior category at the international coding competition “Young Coders Global Hackathon”
- 2021 got the opportunity as apprentice to researchers at the Research Center for Astronomy and Applied Mathematics at the Academy of Athens
- 2022 Gold award in the British Physics Olympiad 2022 Senior Physics Challenge
The future of mankind lies in the hands of our generation, the Mars Generation. I wish to use my skills not only as a STEM major, but also as someone with an interest in global history and politics, as well as my multinational, multicultural, multilingual background to become a bridge between JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), ESA (European Space Agency), and NASA. As an astronaut I hope to prevent future conflicts that will expand to or occur in space by encouraging a global focus on technological advancement, providing humanity with a new era of peace and prosperity, accelerating the development of humanity into an interplanetary type 1 civilization.
“If there ever was such a thing as an absolute moral imperative, it would be to explore the cosmos and embrace all within it.”
Per aspera ad astra.
Outstanding Pearson Learner Award:
Huge congratulations to our recent graduate, Saleh Abdul Qadir, who has just received an Outstanding Pearson Learner Award – for achieving the Highest Mark in the *World* for his Chemistry A Level!
This is an exceptional achievement and we are extremely proud of Saleh who has just started his studies in Dental Surgery at the Jordan University of Science and Technology – a role model for all Byron students.
University Destinations
UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS 2023
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!
Suggestions for Reading
2023-2024 AS/A2 EXAM SUBJECTS OFFERED
- Art & Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Business
- Economics
- English Literature
- Further Mathematics
- Geography
- Global Perspectives
- Greek
- History
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Sociology
- Spanish
COMPULSORY NON EXAM SUBJECTS
- Physical Education
- PSHRE
- University Preparation & Guidance
- A Level Mindset
- Research Project
- IELTS
