General Studies

General Studies is one of the most popular and widely taught subjects at post-16. It is a unique course that provides a breadth of study unavailable in any other subject. It gives you the opportunity to cross boundaries between subjects, challenging you to make links and to appreciate the overlaps, so that you can develop knowledge outside your specialist areas. The syllabus is academic and skill based resulting in a qualification of status. It is also of value to you because it is about the issues that impact on everyone.

General Studies is a valuable study tool that will provide you with useful UCAS points. It is an interesting course delivered through a variety of resources such as debate, discussion, presentations, the media, investigation, comprehension, brainstorming, texts and lectures.

The AS/A2 course has something for everyone with issues relating to:

AS

• Culture and Society politics, art and artists, religion, moral issues, rights and responsibilities,
media.
• Science and Society energy, science, society and the environment, new inventions, moral
dilemmas in science, social, ethical and environmental impact of
scientific progress, social studies and research.

A2

• Culture and Society role and responsibility of artists, multi-faith, pluralistic society, power of
language to persuade and distort, problems and responsibilities of a
democracy, social interaction at all levels.
• Science and Society approach of different social sciences, solving world problems, scientific
progress, interpreting data, science and technology's role in creating
lifestyles.

Skills gained include:
communication, application of number, working with others, problem solving and opportunities for I.T.

In addition:
• Interpreting evidence, statistics and information
• Decision making
• Analysis
• Formulating opinions
• Evaluating information
• Thinking critically and constructively
• An understanding of the modern world and current issues.

These are important skills that you will be able to transfer to your other subjects and that you will need for higher education. They are also essential skills for whatever you may go onto in the future and for you as a citizen.

General Studies links with all other subjects.

Post A Level

It is an excellent preparation for university and will help you to keep your options open. It is normally accepted as a general requirement for higher education. As an additional subject, it is a definite advantage when competition is great and it can be a decisive factor in determining acceptance for University courses. Equally, you can use it to provide evidence of skills for employers.