A-level: The classic route to any University

A level coursesA level London

A-levels are ideal for...

Students who have a clear idea of the subject they want to study at university. You can choose from a wide range of subjects including science, maths, languages, humanities and the arts. A-levels will allow you to gain entry to the most competitive degree courses at the full range of UK universities.

  • 3-5 subjects studied over two years (5- or 3- term fast-track available for students with very high English Language levels and excellent academic achievements)
  • Assessment takes place via coursework or exams for individual modules throughout the course
  • The most widely studied pre-university qualification in the UK
  • Provides access to the widest choice of universities
  • Unique Medic Programme for students interested in Medicine, Veterinary Studies or Dentistry

About the course...

Read more about the A-level programme
Why study A-levels with us?
What subject options are available?
View a sample timetable
Meet some of our A-level students

The classic route to any University, recognised around the world

A levels are an internationally recognised qualification for university entrance.

They provide in-depth study of your chosen subjects, wherever possible relating them to events happening in the real world. You will learn how to analyse information, think independently and write critically informed and interesting essays.

If you study A-levels at one of our Colleges, we will ensure you achieve your very best in order to gain a place on the most competitive degrees.

Specialist coaching from academic experts

Our students benefit from a comprehensive study support package, including University / Careers advice and assistance with university applications.

We also offer specialist training for:

  • Oxbridge: students applying to Oxford or Cambridge
  • Medicine (BMAT & UKCAT): students applying to study Medicine and preparing for BMAT and UKCAT exams can apply to join our exclusive Medic Programme
  • USA (SATS): students applying to US Universities and preparing for SATS exams

Our results are 32% above the national average

Our small class sizes mean that every student receives individual attention from our highly qualified staff, many of whom have university doctorates and are experts in their field.

This year we are celebrating our best ever results, with students progressing to The Times Top 10 University destinations, including Cambridge, Warwick, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, Durham, York.

Find out more about our student results

We offer a unique study support programme

Our students succeed because of the unique study support we provide, including:

  • Individual Learning plans: tailored specifically for you, targets are set and achievements measured to ensure you achieve your goals and reach your potential.
  • Free and unlimited supplementary tuition: if you work hard, we will provide as much supplementary tuition as you may need – absolutely free.
  • Weekly assessment and monitoring: a key to your success, these enable you to check your learning, revisit areas of weakness and be completely comfortable under exam situations.
  • Carefully balanced teaching methods: you will benefit from a variety of carefully chosen teaching methods that match your preferred learning style and prepare you for university.
  • Study skills support: our Cambridge centre offers a fully integrated programme of language support, memory enhancement, mind mapping, speed reading and brain training. With our support, reading speed, recall and memory can be increased by 40% and creative thinking by 200%.
  • Daily meetings with your Personal Tutor: for regular support and guidance.
  • Extensive support network: extending beyond the academic, our network of support and extra-curricular activities build independent, mature and caring individuals.

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Subject options

Top universities look for particular combinations of subjects at A-level and ensuring you make the right choices can be challenging. We have tailor-made a number of pathways to ensure that you choose the right subjects for your future, based on your strengths and interests. You can find out more about some subjects by clicking on the links in the table.

NB: From September 2011, the fast track (3 term) A level programme will only be offered at CATS College London. Previously the course was also available at CATS College Cambridge, but due to the specialised nature of this programme, the decision has been taken to focus all the resources for this challenging course in one centre.

Students already holding offers for the one Year A level in Cambridge will be eligible for the course in London; alternatively they can apply to transfer to the 2 year programme in Cambridge.

Please contact Central Admissions for more details.


View Cambridge options
View Canterbury options
View London options
Download subject descriptions

CATS College Cambridge

6 terms: Choose 4 subjects for the first year, three of which will usually be studied in the second year.

Subject Cambridge
(6 terms)
Cambridge
(5 terms)
Cambridge
(3 terms)
Medicine Biology ; Physics ; Chemistry ; Maths ; Further Maths Biology ; Chemistry ; Physics or Maths Biology ; Chemistry ; Physics or Maths
Business, Finance and Economics

Business Studies ; Maths ; Accounting ; Computing
or
Economics ; Maths ; Accounting ; Further Maths

Business Studies ; Maths ; Accounting ; Economics

Accounting ; Maths ; Business or Economics
or
Maths ; Business ; Accounting or Economics
Life Sciences Biology ; Maths ; Chemistry ; Physics ; Computing or Further Maths or Psychology

Biology ; Chemistry ; Physics
or
Biology ; Chemistry or Physics; Maths or Computing

Biology ; Chemistry ; Physics
or
Biology ; Chemistry or Physics ; Maths
Engineering Physics ; Maths ; Chemistry or Computing ; Further Maths or Biology Maths ; Chemistry ; Physics Maths ; Chemistry ; Physics
Humanities, Law and Social Sciences History ; Sociology ; Geography or Psychology ; English Literature or History of Art N/A N/A
Media Media Studies ; Photography ; English Literature ; Graphics N/A N/A
Fashion, Art & Design and Performing Arts 3D Design ; Art Video ; Textiles ; Sociology ; Photography ; Performing Arts ; Music ; History of Art or Photography or Business ; French or Italian ; Fine Art or Graphics N/A N/A
Architecture Fine Art ; Physics ; Maths or a Humanities subject N/A N/A
Languages Students are encouraged to study their native language at A level (French, Italian, Chinese, German, Japanese, Spanish and Russian) N/A N/A

Students are also encouraged to study their native language at A level.
Language options may be limited to AS level only. Other foreign languages may be provided by arrangement.

Please note that not all subjects are available every year - please check on application.

CATS College Canterbury

6 terms: Choose 4 subjects for the first year, three of which will usually be studied in the second year.

Subject Canterbury
(6 terms)
Medicine Biology ; Chemistry ; Physics ; Maths ; Further Maths
Business, Finance and Economics Business Studies ; Law ; Computing ; Maths or Economics
or
Business Studies ; Accounting (AS level only) ; Maths ; Computing* or Further Maths
Life Sciences Biology ; Maths ; Chemistry ; Physics or Computing
or
Biology ; Maths ; Chemistry; Physics or Psychology or Environmental Systems & Society**
Engineering Physics ; Chemistry or Computing ; Maths; Further Maths or Biology
Humanities, Law and Social Sciences Law ; Sociology ; Psychology* ; Geography* ; World Literature**; History** ; Theatre Arts**
Media Media Studies* ; Computing* ; Geography* ; Psychology ; Theatre Arts**
Fashion, Art & Design and Performing Arts Art & Design + 3 subjects depending on career goals
Architecture Arts ; Physics ; Maths ; Further Maths
Languages available Beginners French, Spanish, Mandarin or Japanese

* September start only
** IB subject, available as a 4th A Level subject

Students are also encouraged to study their native language at A level.
Language options may be limited to AS level only. Other foreign languages may be provided by arrangement.
Please note that not all subjects are available every year - please check on application.

CATS College London

Subject London
(6 terms)
London
(5 terms)
London
(3 terms)
Medicine Biology ; Chemistry
plus 2 subjects from
Physics, Maths or Psychology
Biology ; Chemistry
plus 1 subject from
Physics, Maths or Psychology
Biology ; Chemistry
plus 1 subject from
Physics, Maths or Psychology
Business, Finance and Economics Maths ; Further Maths ; Economics ; Business Studies ; Accounting ; Politics ; Psychology ; Sociology Maths ; Economics ; Business Studies ; Accounting ; Politics ; Psychology ; Sociology Maths ; Economics ; Business Studies ; Accounting ; Politics ; Psychology ; Sociology
Life Sciences Biology ; Chemistry
plus 2 subjects from
Physics, Maths, Further Maths or Psychology
Biology ; Chemistry and Maths
plus 4th subject in 2nd year, either Psychology or Physics
Biology ; Chemistry and Maths
plus 4th subject in 2nd year, either Psychology or Physics
Engineering Physics ; Maths ; Further Maths
plus two subjects from
Biology ; Chemistry
Maths ; Physics
Plus one subject from
Chemistry or Biology
Maths ; Physics
Plus one subject from
Chemistry or Biology
Humanities, Law and Social Sciences Politics ; Psychology ; Economics ; Geography ; History ; Sociology ; French Politics ; Psychology ; Economics ; Geography ; History ; Sociology ; French Politics ; Psychology ; Economics ; Geography ; History ; Sociology ; French
Media N/A N/A N/A
Fashion, Art & Design and Performing Arts Fine Art ; Textiles ; Photography Fine Art Fine Art
Architecture Arts ; Physics ; Maths ; Further Maths Arts ; Physics ; Maths Arts ; Physics ; Maths
Languages available Chinese ; French ; German ; Italian ; Japanese ; Russian ; Spanish French ; German ; Spanish ; Italian French ; German ; Spanish ; Italian

Students are also encouraged to study their native language at A level.
Language options may be limited to AS level only. Other foreign languages may be provided by arrangement.


Please note that not all subjects are available every year - please check on application.


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Sample timetable 

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
09.00-10.00 Philosophy Self-directed Study Further Maths (pure) Spanish Economics
10.00-11.00 Philosophy Self-directed Study Further Maths (Statistics) Spanish Economics
11.15-12.15 Self-directed Study Self-directed Study Spanish Further Maths (Pure) Further Maths (Pure)
12.15-13.15
Self-directed Study Self-directed Study Spanish Further Maths (Statistics) Further Maths (Statistics)
13.15-14.15 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
14.15-15.15 Economics Further Maths (Pure) Self-directed Study Spanish Self-directed Study
15.30-16.30 Personal Development Economics Self-directed Study Further Maths (Statistics) Self-directed Study
16.30-17.30 Philosophy Economics Spanish Surgery Philosophy A2 Level Philosophy

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Programme assessment

Students will be assessed to determine suitability for their enrolled programme. We reserve the right to counsel them to a more appropriate programme as a result of this initial assessment. Click here to find out more.

Where can I study this?

Course details

Age: 16+ (17+ for 3 term option)
Hours in class: 25-30 hours per week
Academic level: 11 years of schooling completed with a good school report
(nb. 3 term fast-track requires top grades at GCSE/equivalent and a formal interview)
English Language level: IELTS 5.0+ / TOEFL (Internet) 61+
(3-term fast-track min IELTS 5.5+)
Course length:

  Cambridge / London Canterbury
6 terms Yes Yes
5 terms Yes No
3 terms Yes  No

Entry dates:

  September January
6 terms Cambridge
Canterbury
London
Canterbury
5 terms ---- Cambridge
London
3 terms London
Cambridge
----

A level student

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Altyn Sencheva

Altyn Sincheva
Altyn, from Kazakhstan, achieved AAABC in 2010, and progressed to Durham University studying Economics and Business. 

"CATS College has a friendly atmosphere, the teachers are lovely and so helpful. They're always available to help if you need it.

There's a great international community here and there's always something happening. It's an exciting place to be!"

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Head of Maths & Science

Mark Whittaker

Mark is Head of Maths and Science at CATS College Cambridge and teaches Physics.

"I gained a degree in Physics and Theoretical Physics at Durham Universiy, before working in the materials science indutry and carrying our R&D (research & development) work; particularly in semi-conductor materials. This also allowed me to develop my Chemistry and Engineering skills.

I began teaching at CATS Cambridge 12 years ago and love the interaction with students from all over the world. It is also great to advise our students on how they can apply their scientific studies to future careers, as I did before moving into teaching."


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Head of Humanities

Christabel Dunmar

Christabel Dunbar
Christabel is Head of Humanities at CATS College Canterbury.

"I am responsible for the students and teachers in the Humanities department, with its 8 subjects, and teach Media Studies at A-level and Foundation. I also advise students on their UCAS applications and help them to reach their chosen university destinations.

I'm from Scotland originally and graduated from Edinburgh University. I love writing and reading, and my favourite interests are cooking, movies, games and animation."


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