Are you passionate about the planet and ready to make a difference? Our A Level in Sustainability is designed for forward-thinking students who want to explore the challenges and solutions shaping our world today.
From climate change and renewable energy to ethical consumption and global justice, this course offers a dynamic and engaging journey into the science, policy, and innovation driving sustainable development. You’ll gain critical thinking skills, hands-on experience, and the knowledge to lead change, whether in your community, future career, or further studies.
Join a generation of changemakers. Discover how sustainability connects science, society, and the economy and how you can be part of building a better tomorrow.
College entry (please refer to the Entry Requirements section in the course guide for further details).
Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on experience, you will develop the necessary knowledge and skills that can support progression to higher education study in areas that have a relationship with sustainability and environmental conservation.
In the examined unit, you will study key knowledge and understanding relevant to sustainability. In the non-examined assessment (NEA) unit, you will demonstrate knowledge and skills you learn by completing an applied practical assignment.
Assessment will be made up of an exam and the remaining 50% is made up of coursework. This qualification is a one year course and leads to a qualification that is an half A Level. It can run alongside 3 other A level subjects or a mixed program of AAQ and A levels.
• F227: Fundamentals of sustainability
This unit is assessed by an exam.
In this unit you will learn about the key topics relevant to sustainability including the interrelationships of the three pillars of sustainability (i.e. environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability). Topics include:
o Topic Area 1 Understanding sustainability
o Topic Area 2 Environmental sustainability
o Topic Area 3 Economic sustainability
o Topic Area 4 Social sustainability
o Topic Area 5 Communicating and reporting sustainable practices
• F228: Sustainability in practice
This unit is assessed by an assignment.
In this unit you will learn about the practices organisations are adopting to become more sustainable, and the technologies that are being used. You will also learn research
methodologies and how to analyse data and draw conclusions. You will use this knowledge and understanding to investigate a real organisation’s practices and recommended how they can become more sustainable.
Topics include:
o Topic Area 1 Sustainable practices in industry
o Topic Area 2 Plan research
o Topic Area 3 Conduct data collection
o Topic Area 4 Analyse data and draw conclusions
o Topic Area 5 Communicate research conclusions
The types of job roles you may progress to:
Both the subject-specific knowledge, understanding and skills, and broader transferable skills developed in this qualification will help you progress into a job role, such as:
• Carbon accountant
• Environment and sustainability lead
• Environmental assistant
• Environmental auditor
• Environmental coordinator
• Sustainability advisor
• Sustainability assistant
• Sustainability coordinator
• Recycling officer
• Waste management officer.
The types of courses you may progress to:
Both the subject-specific knowledge, understanding and skills, and broader transferable skills developed in this qualification will help you progress to further study in related areas such as:
• BA (hons) Business and Sustainability
• BA (hons) Business Management and Sustainability
• BSc (hons) Climate, Sustainability and Environmental Management
• BSc (hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability
• BSc (hons) Environment and Sustainability
• BSc (hons) Geography, Sustainable Development and Climate Change
• BA (hons) Global Sustainability
• BSc (hons) Sustainable Development
• BA (hons) Sustainable Fashion.
Our Elective Programme is designed to help you develop your gifts and interests as part of an enhanced level 3 programme. We will help you realise your potential by nurturing your talent and preparing you for study at the most prestigious universities or for progression to competitive higher-level apprenticeships. Your options range from our Honours Programme, which might include following a fourth A level, to specialist Futures Programmes that will support your career goals.
If you’re not quite ready to start on a Level 3 Technical course (T Levels) or a Vocational Level 3 course (BTEC) but want to begin on the path to your chosen career, the Transition Programme could be for you.
Transition Programmes are tailored to prepare students to move onto Technical or Vocational Level 3 study. They will give you the opportunity to improve your English and Maths, your work readiness skills and introduce you to the technical skills and concepts that you will need for future study and employment.
As part of the Transition Programme you will study a BTEC Level 2 Award in your chosen subject area as well as the BTEC Level 2 Extended Award in Work Skills. You will also have the opportunity to resit GCSE English and/or Maths if you have not yet achieved a grade 4.
Entry criteria for Transition Programmes is four grade 3s including grade 3s in English Language and Maths GCSE.