Welcome to the General Studies Department

General Studies is by several magnitudes the most popular A level exam taken in England. Students at Hayfield take the subject during Year 13, the AS course being taught in the Autumn Term, the exam being taken in January. The A2 course is then taught in the Spring term, the A2 exam being taken in the May/June session. The AS and A2 exams are worth the same UCAS points as any other subject.

General Studies course is compulsory for those students taking 3 A2 subjects and attendance for at least one lesson per week is strongly encouraged for those taking more than 3 A2s.

Teaching staff:

Mr G. Hand (Head of Department)

Each year a variety of additional teaching staff bring their experience and knowledge to the department.

Course Structure:

Unit 1 Culture and Society
Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes worth 50% of AS and 25% of A2.
Topics range from the differences between cultures to the British political system.

Unit 2 Science and Society
Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes worth 50% of AS and 25% of A2.
Topics range from the origins of the universe to research methods in science.

A2 General Studies:

Unit 3: Culture and Society
Written paper, 2 hours worth 25% of total A level marks.
Topics range from the roles and responsibilities of artists to social interaction.

Unit 4: Science and Society
Written paper, 2 hours worth 25% of total A level marks.
Topics range from the concept of life and matter to the contribution of science and technology to different societies.