General Studies AS Level
- AQA
Who is this course for?
General Studies will appeal to any student who is interested in the world around them and the issues and controversies which we see on the news or in the papers every day. The subject will be suitable for students who want to study a broader subject alongside a number of specialist subjects or students who wish to enhance their A Level profile. General Studies is accepted as an academic subject at universities such as the University of Birmingham.
Formal Entry Requirements
Students studying General Studies would be expected to have five GCSEs A*-C including GCSE English Language.
What does the course involve?
AS General Studies is taught for two hours a week over one academic year. There will be an emphasis on discussion and debate and the use of primary materials to explore controversial contemporary issues.
Some of the questions that you will ask in General Studies are:
• What causes human aggression?
• Is war ever justified?
• Is Britain a democracy?
• Do we live in an increasingly divided society?
• What is art?
• Who owns the media and how do they use their power?
• Is the free market always in the best interest of society?
• Is there a limit to tolerance?
• What is causing global warming?
• Is immigration a good thing?
• Who owns the land in Britain and who has access to it?
• Do we live in a consumer society?
• What is better: multi-culturalism or integration?
The course is divided into five broad areas:
• Science and Technology.
• Society and Politics.
• Arts and Media.
• Business and Industry.
• Beliefs and Values.
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed through two examinations which are sat at the end of the first year. These examinations assess students’ knowledge and understanding through a combination of essay questions (“How far do you agree that we live in a free country?”) and data response questions.
Where can I go next?
General Studies is accepted by a number of universities as contributing UCAS points towards university entry.