1. General Studies AS-Level Find out: What it is Why you might want to 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.”

2. General Studies AS-Level AS General Studies is divided into 2 units –The Cultural and Social Domains (70%) political, social and economic issues beliefs and values, media and communication, creativity and innovations –The Scientific Domain (30%) science, maths and technology

3. What sort of topics? Cultural and Social Domains (70% of the AS) Matters of conscience Developments in the Media Creativity and the Arts British political system Voting issues Public and private sectors Division of wealth Influences on human behaviour Scientific Domain (30% of the AS) Greenhouse effect and global warming Energy Space exploration Population dynamics Health and fitness Pollution Mathematical reasoning

4. What exams? Cultural and Social Domains Unit 1 Stimulus material Short answer questions Choice of essay questions Scientific Domain Unit 2 Stimulus material Short answer questions Choice of essay questions

5. Why do General Studies? You will gain another AS qualification As an AS it carries the full range of university points. Some of the very elite universities or very high demand courses do not accept it but large numbers of the 200 or so universities in this country do. Many former students have used their General Studies grade to qualify for their chosen course. Course that does Course that doesn’t

6. Why do General Studies? The topics are relevant and interesting You can use your knowledge from your other subjects as well as from your own experience It’s useful exam practice for your other exams It involves useful skills such as –identifying different sides to an issue –structuring an argument –defending your point of view –expressing yourself clearly –logic and mathematical reasoning

7. What will it involve? One lesson a week Exams in May 2016 In addition: –Watching the news –Reading a newspaper –Thinking critically about your own experiences –Using knowledge gained from your other AS subjects and GCSEs

8. What next? If you are interested, fill out the enrolment form and give or email it to me. Providing you meet the entry requirements, I will contact you in the last week of August and check whether you still want to do General Studies. You will then be enrolled onto the course. It will be added to your timetable after your other subjects and lessons will start the week beginning the 14 th September.