General Studies AS-Level Find out: What it is Why you do it How you will do it “It was a very useful bargaining tool when I was below my required grades to get into a "good" university.” “As an employer I certainly respect candidates who have a good grade in General Studies because it shows they have a good general knowledge as well as key skills.”

What is it? General Studies is an additional AS-level that you will be entered for in year 2. Why do we do it? By doing General Studies you will:- Develop key skills such as considering issues from different angles, justifying different points of view and persuading others. Expand your general knowledge and improve your understanding of many areas relevant to modern life. Gain a further qualification and UCAS points.

What does it consist of? It consists of 2 units: The Cultural and Social Domain The Scientific Domain When will I take it? You will take one exam in the January 2013 on the Cultural and Social Domains and one exam in May 2013 on the Scientific Domain.

How will I be prepared for these exams? We will offer the following support: Introduction via Tutorial to the structure of the General Studies exams PowerPoints via Moodle on the different topics and issues Past papers and mark schemes via Moodle Revision booklets on the different topics and issues Exam preparation workshops in the run up to the exams

What else can I do? If you would like to do well in this subject and would benefit from additional frequent and regular support, then enrol on the General Studies enrichment course. This will involve a weekly one-hour lesson on your timetable, which will cover the topics as well as exam technique.

Why would I do the taught General Studies enrichment course? For any of the following reasons: because you want to be sure of passing the General Studies exams because you need more UCAS points because you only passed three AS-Levels because your AS grades are not as high as you would have liked because you are interested in the issues and would like to know more because you don’t always use your free periods as well as you could! because you would like extra enrichment credits because you want to impress universities and future employers on paper

What next? If you are interested in doing the General Studies enrichment course, please tell your tutor. A formal meeting about General Studies is planned and further information will follow shortly.