Years 12 Subject Information

Students will study and complete that NCEA Level 2 English programme in order to gain their “literacy” requirement for university. English is the only compulsory subject. Students will be able to choose from the following subject options:

AS Mathematics builds on the mathematical principles learned in the IGCSE curriculum. The focus is on the transferable skills of analysis, modelling, working with mathematical information and logical and independent thinking.

AS Physics is the first step towards A Level Physics. Key physics concepts covered in IGCSE Combined Science will be expanded and new topics introduced. These include waves, matter and energy, models of physical systems, forces and fields. There is a strong practical element to this course too.

AS Chemistry has an important practical component to the course. The key concepts taught include atoms and forces, patterns in chemical behaviour, chemical bonds and energy changes.

AS Biology builds on the biological concepts taught in the IGCSE Combined Science. As well as practical observations and experiments, key concepts will include cells, biochemical processes, DNA, natural selection and organisms in their environments.

AS Computer science will build on the problem solving and computational skills learned in the IGCSE course as well as further, more intensive studies of communication and internet technologies, hardware and software and more in-depth use of programming languages and algorithms.

AS Information Technology follows on from IGCSE Information and Communication Technology.  At the AS Level students will cover topics such as Data processing and information, algorithms and flow charts, eSecurity, spreadsheets, modelling sound and video editing, databases and more.

This is a relatively new subject for Cambridge International. It follows on from the more general Design and Technology which students will have studied in IGCSE. This subject will focus more on the digital side of design such as digital photography, moving images, mobile and multimedia applications.

Business studies provides a broad perspective of business activity and gives an overview of different functions of business. It develops a student’s understanding of business, eg, Business and the environment within which it operates, market decisions, people in business organisations, operational management decisions, business and finance and marketing, human resources and finances.