IA-Level Social Sciences
The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Business and the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Business are modular qualifications. The Advanced Subsidiary can be claimed on completion of the International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS) units. The International Advanced Level can be claimed on completion of all the units (IAS and IA2 units).
The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to:
- develop an enthusiasm for studying business
- develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants
- understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives
- generate enterprising and creative approaches to business opportunities, problems and issues
- be aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals
- acquire a range of relevant business and generic skills, including
- decision making, problem solving, the challenging of assumptions and critical analysis
- apply numerical skills in a range of business contexts
Unit 1: Marketing and people (IAS)
- Meeting customer needs
- The market
- Marketing mix and strategy
- Managing people
- Entrepreneurs and leaders
Unit 2: Managing business activities (IAS)
- Planning a business and raising finance
- Financial planning
- Managing finance
- Resource management
- External influences
Unit 3: Business decisions and strategy (IAL)
- Business objectives and strategy
- Business growth
- Decision-making techniques
- Influences on business decisions
- Assessing competitiveness
- Managing change
Unit 4: Global business (IAL)
- Globalisation
- Global markets and business expansion
- Global marketing
- Global industries and companies (multinational corporations)
Unit 1: Marketing and people (IAS)
- Section A: Short- and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks).
- Section B: Same format as Section A, based on different sources (30 marks).
- Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
Unit 2: Managing business activities (IAS)
- Section A: Short- and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks).
- Section B: Same format as Section A, based on different sources (30 marks).
- Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
Unit 3: Business decisions and strategy (IAL)
- Section A: Short and extended-response questions, based on sources (40 marks).
- Section B: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
- Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
Unit 4: Global business (IAL)
- Section A: Short and extended-response questions, based on sources (40 marks).
- Section B: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
- Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
Financial advisor, public relations, banking manager, sole entrepreneur, managing director, investment banker, teacher, CEO, business manager
Cambridge learners will develop:
- an understanding of the principal processes operating within physical geography and human geography
- an understanding of the causes and effects of change on natural and human environments
- an awareness of the usefulness of geographical analysis to understand and solve contemporary human and environmental problems
- the ability to handle and evaluate different types and sources of information
- the skills to think logically, and to present an ordered and coherent argument in a variety of ways an excellent foundation for studies beyond Cambridge
- International A Level in Geography, in further or higher education, and for professional courses.
The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to look at:
- Space: the implications of spatial distributions and patterns of a range of physical and human geographical phenomena.
- Scale: the significance of spatial scale in interpreting environments, features and places from local to global, and time scale in interpreting change from the geological past to future scenarios.
- Place: the importance of physical and human characteristics which create distinctive places with different opportunities and challenges.
- Environment: how the interactions between people and their environment create the need for environmental management and sustainability.
- Interdependence: how the complex nature of interacting physical systems, human systems and processes create links and interdependencies.
- Diversity: the significance of the similarities and differences between places, environments and people.
- Change: the importance of change and the dynamic nature of places, environments and systems.
Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level Geography study the following topics:
- Core Physical Geography
- Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
- Atmosphere and weather
- Rocks and weathering
- Core Human Geography
- Population
- Migration
- Settlement dynamics
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Geography study the AS Level topics and two options from:
- Advanced Physical Geography Options
- Tropical environments
- Coastal environments
- Hazardous environments
- Hot arid and semi-arid environments
and two options from:
- Advanced Human Geography Options
- Production, location and change
- Environmental management
- Global interdependence
- Economic transition
Paper 1
- Core Physical Geography
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Section A: Three data response questions (30 marks)
- Section B: One structured question from a choice of three (30 marks)
- 60 marks
- 50% of the AS level
- 25% of the A level
Paper 2
- Core Human Geography
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Section A: Three data response questions (30 marks)
- Section B: One structured question from a choice of three (30 marks)
- 60 marks
- 50% of the AS level
- 25% of the A level
Paper 3
- Advanced Physical Geography Options
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Candidates answer questions on two of the optional topics.
- Each topic consists of one structured question (10 marks) and a choice of essay questions (20 marks).
- 60 marks
- 25% of the A level
Paper 4
- Advanced Human Geography Options
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Candidates answer questions on two of the optional topics.
- Each topic consists of one structured question (10 marks) and a choice of essay questions (20 marks).
- 60 marks
- 25% of the A level
Geography, marine biology, ecology, teacher/lecturer, surveyor, geology, environmental management, environmental consultant, water quality surveyor/analyser, cartographer, climatologist, geospatial engineer, hydrologist, renewable energy specialist
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Psychology: This qualification consists of two externally examined units. The International Advanced Subsidiary is the first half of the International Advanced Level qualification and consists of two IAS units, units 1 and 2. This qualification may be awarded as a discrete qualification or may contribute 50 percent towards the International Advanced Level qualification. Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Psychology: This qualification consists of four externally examined units. The International Advanced Level consists of the two IAS units (units 1 and 2) plus two IA2 units (units 3 and 4). Candidates wishing to take the International Advanced Level must, therefore, complete all four units.
The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to develop:
- Critical thinking skills: a critical perspective on psychology by analysing the way psychological theory and research can be critically evaluated.
- Self-monitoring: ability to work autonomously, be self-motivating and self-monitoring, reflecting on psychological learning and drawing on their ability to apply concepts coherently and with reasoned logic.
- Interpersonal skills: provide opportunities for students to engage with others to discuss and debate psychological explanations of human behaviour and the issues surrounding the use of psychology within society.
Unit 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology
- Topic A: Social psychology
- Topic B: Cognitive psychology
Candidates must answer all questions from three sections. Section A: Social psychology, totals 26 marks and comprises short-answer questions and one eight-mark extended open-response question. Section B: Cognitive psychology, totals 26 marks and comprises short-answer questions and one eight-mark extended open-response question. Section C: comprises one 12-mark extended open-response question on either social or cognitive psychology.
Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Learning Theories and Development
- Topic C: Biological psychology
- Topic D: Learning theories and development
Candidates must answer all questions from three sections. Section A: Biological psychology, totals 34 marks and comprises short-answer questions and one eight-mark extended open-response question. Section B: Learning theories and development, totals 34 marks and comprises short answer questions and one eight-mark extended open-response question. Section C: comprises one 12-mark and one 16-mark extended open-response question. The 12-mark question covers either biological psychology or learning theories and development and the 16-mark question covers both biological psychology, and learning theories and development.
Unit 3: Applications of Psychology
- Topic E: Developmental psychology
Optional topics (students must study one of the following topics):
- Topic F: Criminological psychology
- Topic G: Health psychology
Candidates must answer all questions from Section A and all questions from a choice of two topic areas in Section B. Section A: Developmental psychology, totals 32 marks and comprises short-answer questions and two eight-mark extended open-response question. One eight-mark question focuses on developmental psychology and one eight-mark synoptic question is based on developmental psychology and issues from units 1 and 2. Section B: presents candidates with a choice of one from either criminological or health psychology. Each section totals 32 marks and comprises short-answer questions and two eight-mark extended open-response questions.
Unit 4: Clinical Psychology and Psychological Skills
- Topic H: Clinical psychology
- Topic I: Psychological skills
Candidates must answer all questions from five sections. Section A: Clinical psychology, totals 32 marks and comprises short-answer questions. Section B: Clinical psychology, comprises one 16-mark extended open-response question. Section C: Psychological skills, totals 20 marks and comprises short-answer questions drawing on research methods from other topic areas (except topics F and G). Section D: Psychological skills, comprises one eight-mark extended open-response question based on the analysis of a key question from other topic areas (except topics F and G). Section E: Psychological skills, comprises one 20-mark synoptic question based on issues and debates from other topic areas (except topics F and G).
Paper 1
- Externally assessed
- Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Availability: January and June
- First assessment: June 2016
- 64 marks
Paper 2
- Externally assessed
- Written examination: 2 hours
- Availability: January and June
- First assessment: June 2016
- 96 marks
Paper 3
- Externally assessed
- Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Availability: January and June
- First assessment: January 2017
- 64 marks
Paper 4
- Externally assessed
- Written examination: 2 hours
- Availability: January and June
- First assessment: June 2017
- 96 marks
Psychologist, psychotherapy, psychology, sociology, educational psychologist, police, law, child psychology, criminal psychology, criminology, forensic psychology, therapist
Our approach in Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology encourages learners to be:
- Confident, communicating sociological ideas and arguments to others, and exploring contemporary social issues with maturity and insight
- Responsible, recognising the importance of culture and community and able to appreciate cultural differences and alternative perspectives on social issues
- Reflective, reviewing and refining their skills of analysis and evaluation and drawing connections between specific examples and wider issues
- Innovative, developing informed views about real-world issues, and an ability to think sociologically to understand problems and respond to questions
The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to:
- Knowledge and understanding of sociological terms, theories, methods and research findings
- An awareness of the range and limitations of sociological theory and the ability to compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives
- An appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity, and of continuity and change in social life
- An understanding of sociological research methods, including issues concerned with the planning, implementation and evaluation of research enquiry and the collection, analysis and interpretation of data
- Improved skills of communication, interpretation, analysis and evaluation
Paper 1
Socialisation, identity and methods of research
- The process of learning and socialisation
- Social control, conformity and resistance
- Social identity and change
Methods of research
- Types of data, methods and research design
- Approaches to sociological research
- Research issues
Paper 2
- Perspectives on the role of the family
- Diversity and social change
- Family roles and changing relationships
- Gender equality and experiences of family life
- Age and family life
Paper 3
- Education and society
- Theories about the role of education
- Education and social mobility
- Influences on the curriculum
- Education and inequality
- Intelligence and educational attainment
- Social class and educational attainment
- Ethnicity and educational attainment
- Gender and educational attainment
Paper 4
Globalisation
- Key debates, concepts and perspectives
- Perspectives on globalisation
- Globalisation and identity
- Globalisation, power and politics
- Contemporary issues
- Globalisation, poverty and inequalities
- Globalisation and migration
- Globalisation and crime
- Media
- Ownership and control of the media
- Traditional media and the new media
- Theories of the media and influences on media content
- The impact of the new media
- Media representation and effects
- Media representations of class, gender, ethnicity, and age groups
- Different models of media effects
- The impact of the media on behaviour
- Religion
- Religion and social order
- Religion and society
- Religion and social order
- Religion as a source of social change
- The influence of religion
- The secularisation debate
- Gender, feminism and religion
- Religion and post-modernity
Paper 1
- Socialisation, identity and methods of research
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- 60 marks
- Candidates answer four questions.
- Section A: three compulsory questions
- Section B: one essay (26 marks) from a choice of two
- Externally assessed
- 50% of the AS Level
- 25% of the A Level
Paper 2
- The Family 1 hour 30 minutes
- 60 marks
- Candidates answer four questions.
- Section A: three compulsory questions
- Section B: one essay (26 marks) from a choice of two
- Externally assessed
- 50% of the AS Level
- 25% of the A Level
Paper 3
- Education 1 hour 15 minutes
- 50 marks
- Candidates answer four compulsory questions.
- Question 4 is an essay (26 marks).
- Externally assessed
- 20% of the A Level
Paper 4
- Globalisation, Media and Religion 1 hour 45 minutes
- 70 marks
- Candidates answer two essay questions (35 marks each).
- Section A: Globalisation
- Section B: Media
- Section C: Religion
- Each section has two essay questions. Candidates select one question from two different sections.
- Externally assessed
- 30% of the A Level
Law, psychology, sociology, international relations, communications, guidance counsellor, therapist, human resources, social work, education, health
Our approach in Cambridge International AS & A Level Travel & Tourism encourages learners to be:
- Confident, in understanding and communicating the dynamic nature and importance of travel and tourism, in discussing its sustainability in the context of a changing wider world and in the practical application of problemsolving and planning skills
- Responsible, for themselves, responsive to and respectful of others through appreciating the importance of sustainability and of their own responsibility to the environment and to the future of communities
- Reflective, by considering their own learning strategies in evaluating the customer appeal, impacts and sustainability of travel and tourism destinations, in considering the values and attitudes of others as well as of themselves and in assessing their own success in event planning and management
- Innovative, through the application of their learning in unfamiliar contexts and through event planning and management in the wider world, including devising problem-solving strategies
- Engaged, intellectually and socially in investigating travel and tourism issues and in the practical, team management of an event, as well as being ready to make a difference by further developing their own personal interests and opinions, leading to possible future involvement in responsible travel in a customer-focused career or in higher-level study.
The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to:
- Understanding of the changing nature of travel and tourism and its importance:
- to destinations
- to communities
- to the environment and the economy, globally, nationally and locally
- Understanding of the importance of sustainability in travel and tourism development
- Appreciation of the importance of the customer in the travel and tourism industry
- Communication, problem-solving and planning skills
- Understanding of the importance of marketing and destination management in travel and tourism development
- Their own values and attitudes in relation to travel and tourism
students
- The changing nature of travel and tourism
- Reasons people travel
- Types of tourism
- The changing structure of the travel and tourism industry
- Travel and tourism destinations
- Types of destination
- The changing appeal of destinations to different external customer types
- Changes in travel choices, including by more sustainable means
- Trends in travel and tourism
- Changing global tourism flows
- The growth of sustainable tourism
- Sustainable tourism in practice
- Customer service in travel and tourism
- How travel and tourism organisations serve customers and meet their needs
- The importance of quality customer service
- Ways of assessing customer service quality
- Planning and managing a travel and tourism event
- Working in a team
- Choosing the event
- Producing a business plan for your travel and tourism event
- Preparing for the event
- Running the event
- Evaluation and recommendations
- Destination marketing
- Defining the tourism market – market research and analysis
- Building a destination brand
- Communicating the destination brand
- Challenges in branding destinations
- Monitoring the effectiveness of the destination brand
- Destination development and management
- Organisations involved in destination management, their roles and priorities
- Developing and managing destinations
- Impacts of tourism
Paper 1
- Themes and Concepts 2 hours
- 75 marks
- Candidates answer three questions.
- Each question is subdivided into four parts and may be based on stimulus material.
- Questions are based on topics 1–4 of the subject content.
- Externally assessed
- 50% of the AS Level
- 25% of the A Level
Paper 2
- Planning and Managing a Travel and Tourism Event Coursework
- 50 marks
- Candidates work on a project which involves planning and managing a travel and tourism event. Candidates work in a team but present their project individually.
- This paper assesses Topic 5 of the subject content.
- Internally assessed and externally moderated
- 50% of the AS Level
- 25% of the A Level
Paper 3
- Destination Marketing 1 hour 30 minutes
- 50 marks
- Candidates answer two questions. Each question is based on stimulus material and subdivided into three parts.
- Questions are based on topic 6 of the subject content; knowledge of material from the AS Level subject content is assumed.
- Externally assessed
- 25% of the A Level
Paper 4
- Destination Development and Management 1 hour 30 minutes
- Candidates answer two questions. Each question is based on stimulus material and subdivided into three parts.
- Questions are based on topic 7 of the subject content; knowledge of material from the AS Level subject content is assumed.
- Externally assessed
- 25% of the A Level
Travel agent, communications, public relations, international relations, tourism, cabin crew, airline staff, customer services agent
