The Course

The London Examinations GCE A Level offers a unique and progressive avenue to students seeking breadth of achievement, flexibility of assessment and a stress-reducing modular format for examinations.

Drawing upon a 160-year history, the new London GCE A Level has a more staged approach to learning. This is done via an AS level for each subject. The Advanced Subsidiary level consists of three modules which bridge the gap between the GCE O/IGCSE level of study and the GCE A level.

This programme is typically completed over 18-24 months. Candidates have to take two types of modules in this programme: the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) modules, generally studied in Year One, and A2 modules, studied in Year Two. Candidates have to complete the AS modules before embarking on the A2 modules. St. Francis offers a unique mix of Social Science and Business subjects for the Year 2006.

Entry to Singapore’s premier Universities – National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and Singapore Institute of Management University (UniSIM) becomes a reality as are openings to reputable Universities worldwide. Good grades across a cross-functional field and broad analytical skills are critical. The London GCE A Level equips you with these skills and provides the added flexibility.

St. Francis offers a mix of Social Science and Business subjects. More subjects will be added over time.

Advantages of this programme

1. Modular system
The modular system allows candidates the flexibility of when to take the modules of their choice.
2. Better grades
Candidates have an opportunity to re-take any module in which they think they can perform better. The better results will count towards to the final award. Once the candidate completes the required combination of AS and A2 modules, only the best grades within 4 year time frame, in the combinations are taken into account in the final award.
3. Frequency of exams
Held twice a year, the frequency provides more choices of when to take the exams within a short span of time instead of waiting for 12 months. This allows the candidate to plan the duration of the study.
4. Coursework
For some modules, coursework is offered as an alternative to written examinations.

Modules offered in St. Francis Academy

To satisfy the Mother Tongue requirement for admissions into Singapore Universities, students can take Mother Tongue offered by the Singapore-Cambridge Board. (i.e Chinese / Malay / Tamil / French / Japanese)

The minimum entry requirement into the local Universities is passes in 2 AS and 3 A2 modules. A candidate in St Francis Academy will have to complete all the AS modules in Year One, and choose any 3 or 4 A2 modules in Year Two. This is to fulfill the requirement that a candidate must have a combination of all the subjects reflected. As an example, if the candidate chooses to do 2AS modules in Year One i.e. General Studies, Applied Information & Communication Technology; he will have to do the 3A2 units in the other modules of Accounting, Economics & Business Studies in Year Two.

(Please click on the subject name below to view the curriculum description.)

General Studies (8206)
• develop a greater awareness of human knowledge, understanding and behaviour
• think critically, logically and constructively about significant problems, acquire an appreciation of the strengths and limitations of different approaches and demonstrate an ability to justify their own
• communicate with coherence and clarity in an appropriate format and style.

Economics & Business Studies (8128/9128)
• develop an understanding of relevant economic and business concepts and theories and an ability to apply them to a range of real-world issues
• apply economic and business concepts and theories in a range of contemporary contexts
• analyze, explain and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the market economy and the role of citizens, businesses and governments within it.

Accounting (8011/9011)
• a knowledge and understanding of the purposes of accounting, of accounting concepts and techniques
• the skills of numeracy, communication, presentation, analysis and evaluation of accounting information;
• the ability to compile accounting reports in good format and to use them as the basis of informed and rational decision-making;
• a capacity for logical and objective thought which will serve as an end in its own right, as well as a basis for further study in accounting.

Mathematics (8450/9450)
• develop an understanding of coherence and progression in mathematics and of how different areas of mathematics can be connected
• recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically and understand the relationship between ‘real-world’ problems and standard and other mathematical models
• develop an awareness of the relevance of mathematics to other fields of study, to the world of work and to society in general Applied Information & Communication

Applied ICT (8751/9751)
• to provide an in-depth understanding of the nature of current computer-based ICT systems
• to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to maintain and manage computer-based ICT systems
• to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to produce ICT-based solutions to problems using appropriate techniques of analysis, design and implementation

Examination Dates
The written examinations are held twice yearly, in January and May/June.

Scholastic Aptitude Test
You can study for the S.A.T at St. Francis with expert instruction at additional cost. Programmes are conducted by professionals, with strong interest in education and rich in teaching experience. You can also sit for the S.A.T Examinations as St. Francis is also a registered examination centre.

Admission Requirement

3 ‘O’ Level/ GCSE/ IGCSE Passes or equivalent

* St Francis is an International Examination Centre for the London Examinations