Statistics A-level

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With the power of modern computers, it has perhaps never before been so important to really understand what different statistical measures and tests are telling us. If you want to try to investigate whether a new medical treatment has had positive results; how would you do it? You may want to investigate whether there is a relationship between the size of town you grow up in and your annual salary at the age of 30; how would you do it? In both of these cases, you would need to use a particular Statistical Test. A good understanding of Statistical Tests is essential in many social science-based degree courses, e.g. Psychology. Whilst you will be taught the relevant statistics on your degree course, if you have studied A level Statistics beforehand you will find the numerical side of your degree is so much more familiar.

What will I study in Statistics A-level?

In A level Statistics, you will study the following general aspects:

Work with Statistical Distributions, such as Binomial, Poisson and Normal;

Perform Conditional Probability calculations using Bayes' Theorem;

Design and carry out a statistical investigation;

Perform multiple Statistical (Hypothesis) Tests, such as Chi Squared, T Test, ANOVA, Willcoxon Signed Rank;

Work with Confidence Intervals.

Entry Requirements

Minimum GCSE Maths grade 6

Minimum GCSE English grade 4

How will I learn?

Whilst there will be strong similarities to the style of your maths lessons at school and your statistics lessons in college, there will also be some notable differences. Statistics throws up some counter-intuitive results which can stimulate some discussion about what the statistical measure is really showing. There are also many examples of poorly presented and mis-interpreted statistics.

At the end of year 1, you will design and carry out a full statistical investigation using the skills you have developed to date at that point. This will be a much more open-ended task than you are used to in GCSE Maths lessons and will conclude with a presentation of your findings which will help you develop your oracy skills.

Hence, whilst many lessons will follow the format of completing practice questions and using mini whiteboards to help you consolidate your understanding of a new concept, there will be some variation on this pattern across the two years.

How will I be assessed?

At the end of the two years, you will sit 3 exams. Each exam is 2 hours in length and has 80 marks available.

Any trips?

There are no compulsory trips as part of the course, but there may be opportunities to attend relevant lectures to broaden your understanding of statistics.

Are there any costs involved?

The most significant cost when studying A level Statistics is the Graphical Calculator you will need (the Casio CG100 is the most likely model but you can wait until the start of the course to find out more information).

We will also produce workbooks which you'll need to buy for a small cost, spread across the two years.

FAQs

Is A level Statistics easier than A level Maths?

A level Statistics involves a broader set of skills than A level Maths and in that regard is certainly not an easy option. However, the reduced algebraic skills compared to A level Maths makes it a more accessible choice for those who find solving quadratic, simultaneous and trigonometric equations a challenge.

Can I study both AL Maths and AL Statistics?

We don’t rule out this combination completely, and it is theoretically possible to study both AL Maths and AL Statistics. However, we wouldn’t normally recommend it unless a student had a particular reason. We will happily discuss your individual situation with you at our Open Events and at Enrolment to help ensure you make the right choice of programme for you.

Is A level Statistics a suitable course for students planning to study Medicine at university?

So long as the student also studied Chemistry and either Biology or Physics, then A level Statistics is a valid choice for a student applying to Medicine at university. Your top priority when applying to Medicine is to attain A grades in all 3 of your A-levels (which must include Chemistry and either Biology, Physics or Mathematics).

Where could A level Statistics take me?

A level Statistics is excellent preparation for studying degree courses such as Biology, Psychology, Geography and Business Studies at university.

A good understanding of statistics is also a great asset when working in any organisation, since any company will want to analyse its performance in some way; and that analysis will involve statistics.