Level
AS Level
Years
12-13 (Typically suitable for children aged 16-18)
Qualification
Cambridge AS Critical Thinking syllabus 9694
Exam board
Cambridge
Hours of study
Approx. 250 hours of study time (plus additional time for completing assignments)
About the course
View upcoming Open EventsOverview
Our AS Level Thinking Skills (Critical Thinking) online homeschooling course will help you develop advanced critical thinking skills, so you can approach and resolve complex problems. Through this course, students will:
- Learn how to break down, analyse and judge information and resolve problems, building key debating, investigating and reasoning skills.
- Strengthen their ability to evaluate arguments and construct clear, well-reasoned judgments.
- Develop transferable skills useful for university courses and careers in areas like business, law, engineering and social sciences.
Our experienced University and Careers Advisor can provide support with choosing the right A Level courses for your ambitions, as well as all aspects of applying to university including UCAS references, interview preparation and more.
Additional information
Our courses are designed to be flexible, enabling you to tailor learning to your child’s individual needs and pace. You can work through the course materials in a way that suits your family, whether that's following a structured schedule or taking a more adaptable approach.
Study method: A self-directed mix of online and offline learning with structured multimedia content. You will be supported throughout your studies with expert Tutor feedback as well as guidance from a dedicated Student Progress Manager. Please note this course can only be taken as a standalone AS Level qualification.
Course samples for AS Level courses
We provide course samples so you can explore our AS Level courses before enrolling your child.
A course sample gives you a clear preview of the course structure, content, and level, helping you decide whether it is right for your child.
A course sample includes:
- An overview of learning covered across the course
- Example lessons
- The first assignment from the course
- Information about learning materials and guidance
The course sample shows what the course would look like if your child were enrolled, helping you feel confident before moving on to making and enquiry or application.
Assessments & exams
Exams
This course will assess your understanding across two papers:
AS Level
Paper 1: This paper covers Problem Solving and lasts for 1 hour 30 minutes, accounting for 50% of the AS Level grade.
Paper 2: This paper covers Critical Thinking and lasts for 1 hour 45 minutes, accounting for 50% of the AS Level grade.
Mock exams
All of our AS Level courses include a number of past exam papers in the final module to support students’ learning. This includes the most recent paper, which can be taken as a mock exam and submitted to the course Tutor for feedback for an additional fee.
87% pass rate
In 2024, our A Level students achieved a pass rate of 87% at A*-C grade, with 59% achieving grades A*-C across all their courses.
Exam centres
You can take your AS Level exams at Cambridge exam centres in over 150 countries. We can provide details of the closest exam centre for your family.
Meet your support team
AS Level Critical Thinking Skills Tutors
Sarah Keeler, BSc, PGCE
Tutors
Subjects
- English
- English Language
- English Literature
- Thinking Skills
Teaching Levels
- Lower Secondary
- GCSE Level
- A Level
Sarah Keeler, BSc, PGCE
Tutors
I started my career teaching in secondary schools in Bristol and North Somerset in the UK. My main teaching subject is English, but I have also taught Media and Film Studies and Psychology. I am also a tutor for Thinking Skills at AS Level. I have been working for Wolsey Hall since 2014 and I thoroughly enjoy helping students across the world.
I have a degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Bath, but I also obtained a conversion degree in English alongside my PGCE. I am also an examiner and mark papers for English Language GCSE.
I love all types of storytelling, so I like to spend my free time reading and visiting theatres and cinemas. I enjoy the escapism; the ability to travel to any time or place in history – if only in my imagination!
I always like to encourage my pupils to read as much as possible and I like to share book recommendations. I’ll read almost anything but have an interest in gothic literature and Thomas Hardy in particular.
I grew up in Bristol and love city life, but I equally like relaxing in the countryside when the UK weather permits! I also like to travel when I can to experience new cultures and visit historical buildings, especially cathedrals.
Learning should be an enjoyable process and I like to continue my own studies in other subjects as well. I have attended summer schools at Cambridge University and have recently enjoyed Art classes. I hope to study for my Master’s degree in the future.
I hope I can share my passion for education, and I am keen to ensure that all students can reach their potential.
Steph Williams, BSc, PGCE
Tutors, Learning Support
Subjects
- Psychology
- Thinking Skills
Teaching Levels
- GCSE Level
- A Level
Steph Williams, BSc, PGCE
Tutors, Learning Support
I have worked as a teacher of Psychology, Sociology & Thinking Skills since 2002. After completing my BSc in Psychology & Sociology, I began teaching A-Level Psychology at various sixth form colleges in Surrey. During this time, I completed my teaching qualification at Greenwich University.
Throughout my teaching career I have worked in the UK and overseas, in Oman. Whilst overseas, I taught International Baccalaureate (IB), including English, Humanities and Theory of Knowledge. Furthermore, I am a qualified Life Coach and Nutritional Therapist. Since 2019 I have worked as an online tutor, supporting students with Psychology/Sociology and providing academic coaching support. I also work as an A Level and GCSE examiner.
I have a passion for teaching my subjects; they cover fascinating and engaging topics that enable us to understand the world, and the people, around us. Psychology is such a valuable subject as it extends core skills in writing, scientific enquiry and mathematical analysis. In addition, Thinking Skills is a fantastic subject to develop robust skills for both higher education and future employment. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are integral for success in many aspects of life. I am also hugely interested in the process of learning, understanding how to encourage and nurture dispositions towards learning that build academic success and independence.
I live in Dorking with my husband and two children; it is a quaint market town in Surrey famous for its Olympic cycle route and gigantic chicken statue.
Course bundles & savings
Choose the perfect combination of courses for your child with our flexible approach to homeschooling. The more courses you select, the more you save per course. Please note that short course fees are not included in bundle pricing.
1-2 courses
From £1,145 per course
3 courses
From £950 per course
4 courses
From £850 per course
Inspiring Stories
See how our students have unlocked their potential
Trustpilot Reviews
A Level reviews
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Flexible, comprehensive and supportive
I used Wolsey Hall Oxford to sit an A level in support of a career change. I had a really superb experience with the college. The online portal is easy to use. Teaching and learning materials are well curated to deliver the content. Tutors feedback is constructive, on point and quickly provided. These factors all help to ensure readiness for the exams themselves as well as development of a strong knowledge of the subject content. The administrative team were efficient and helpful. Overall and excellent experience and I would strongly recommend to anyone who can’t attend regular schooling in person or perhaps who wants to study an additional qualification alongside studies in school.
Clare W, January 10, 2025
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Highly recommended! Experienced and professional homeschooling in Zambia from Wolsey Hall Oxford!
Wolsey Hall Oxford came recommended from friends and colleagues when looking for Cambridge homeschooling family option for our 16 year old daughter in Zambia. We were not disappointed with the recommendations and the outcome of homeschooling in her selected A level subjects - Business Studies, English Language, Economics and History. The experience of the teachers and support network at Wolsey resulted in our daughter being accepted in a UK Russel Group University. Thank you Wolsey Hall Oxford team and Erica in particular, as you made it easier for us as parents throughout the homeschooling process which was new for us! Recommended by our family!
Alan Clayton, September 17, 2024
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Thank you Wolsey Hall Oxford
I'm Tejjas, an A Level student who sat the 2024 May/June A Level exams. My experience with Wolsey Hall Oxford was wonderful and I'm so happy that I decided to enrol. Courses were well organised on Canvas and flowed logically. The materials linked were useful and helped to provide a broader range of perspectives and approaches to problems or concepts. I would also recommend that other students look for materials beyond what is provided on Canvas to further their understanding if they so wish. Tutors were friendly and helpful when asked questions, and would usually respond within 48 hours. Thank you Mr Bahia, Mr Wardle, and Mrs Carpinato. Assignments were also good and feedback was useful. What was particularly good was that I felt that assignments were graded as they would be in the exams, meaning very strictly. This encouraged me to learn proper exam technique and not gloss over details that may otherwise seem trivial. This is especially helpful for essay subjects where students may mark themselves too leniently since the Cambridge-provided mark-schemes have some ambiguity. My SPM, Ms Helena Cantone, was also supportive and understanding when I missed deadlines occasionally due to personal matters. She would check in monthly to ask how I was doing and offer help, which helped to keep me motivated. I'm also very thankful to the university counsellor, Ms Sarah Wilson, for her advice and support with my UCAS application. With her referral letter and general advice on my application, I secured 5/5 offers from universities including the LSE, Warwick, and KCL. I achieved A*A*A* and hence converted my LSE offer. Overall, these 2 years with Wolsey Hall Oxford have been incredible thanks to the wonderful people involved, and I will look back on them with great fondness. Tejjas
Tejjas Kumar, August 16, 2024
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Professional, well-oiled institution
Wolsey is a highly professional institution that has clearly been operating for decades. The support, when needed, is always good. The course design and content is excellent, and makes the various subjects interesting. The tutor support is very helpful. We also appreciated the University Advice section of the school
Nicky van Hille, June 29, 2024
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Great experience throughout my school years
I have been with Wolsey since I started KS3, and I'm now going to start my final year of A levels. All throughout my time, the tutors have been fantastic and the feedback I got from them on my assignments have been good, as well as communication if I needed any additional help. For my AS level sociology, my assignment marks went from 68/100 to 90/100. Overall, probably one of the best online schooling options
Audrey M. Purinton, June 27, 2024
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Wonderful Wolsey!
Our daughter has been with Wolsey Hall for 4 years now and is on her path to begin her A-levels. We have had a wonderful experience from day one, and our current SPM, Kristina Brown, has been a superstar all the way. All questions, queries, and requests are attended to promptly and with extended guidance the whole time which is invaluable. We look forward to our next chapter with Wolsey Hall both our daughter and we as parents, are very happy with Wolsey Hall and highly recommend it to all parents looking for a top homeschooling choice.
C.T, June 21, 2024
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Many Thanks To Wolsey Hall
Wolsey Hall staff and teachers were always very helpful. I did not have to wait for assessment of my assignments for any length of time. The comments of the tutors helped to improve my presentation, especially in Mathematics. The encouraging and kind comments of all the tutors kept my morale high. When I had no option near my home to pursue A levels, Wolsey Hall was the best choice. Especially suited my independent style of working. Many Thanks to Wolsey Hall.
Arshnoor Singh Boparai, April 20, 2024
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Fantastic feedback, support and resources
Wolsey Hall is an absolutely fantastic choice for anyone wanting to homeschool themselves. You will have access to a staggering amount of interesting and useful course material, constant support and helpful feedback on all your assignments. I finished both my IGCSEs and my A Levels with Wolsey Hall, and did very well in both. I strongly recommend giving this school a chance!
Kaden Wolfson, January 17, 2024
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A levels at wh
My teachers and student manager were supportive throughout my 2 years with Wolsey. They were very good at prepping us for the exams and gave really specific and helpful feedback to my assignments.
Avantika D, August 23, 2023
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A great homeschooling approach
This is the best homeschooling program to support student undertaking a UK based curriculum. The platform works very well, supported by excellent tutors and a dedicated student progress manager. I recommend it for anyone looking to take IGCSE or A level qualification.
Sammy Likhali, June 27, 2023
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I have just finished two a-levels…
I have just finished two a-levels courses and I’m very satisfied with the experience Wolsey Hall provided. Always helpful and tutors always responsive with plenty of notice if they aren’t able to get back to you. All the resources and websites proved very useful and I thought the organisation of it was immaculate. Feedback was always helpful and always gave you room to improve so you can aim for very good grades.
Kim, November 29, 2022
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We were looking for an alternative online school for A Levels
We were looking for an alternative online school for A Levels. We found Wolsey Hall online, watched a few videos and filled in the information request form. Tina replied with a kind and informative email which she immediately followed up with a video call. Tina has gone above and beyond all of our expectations to help and has really made us feel like the school cares. The whole experience has left us as a family feeling confident that we have made the right choice and looking forward to getting started.
Spain Family, September 30, 2021
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Cambridge A level Psychology…
Our daughter took A level Psychology over 2 years because this option was not available through her school. Although much of distance learning is down to a student's self-discipline, having the right framework, tutor support and feedback strengthens the process. I believe that Wolsey Hall provided this, which is why the final grade result was so encouraging. I can highly recommend Wolsey Hall if you are looking for an online Cambridge option.
Parent, September 29, 2021
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No regrets at all.... Wolsey Hall are excellent.
A work move to Tokyo meant we had to make some tough decisions on A Level education for our son. Shopping around it was clear there was a plethora of distance learning providers, but Wolsey Hall seemed to stand out. We plumped for them, based upon their references and we were not disappointed; in fact we were delighted. Our son enrolled for three A Levels and it was clear from day one that Wolsey Hall were attentive, rigorous, disciplined and a delight for him to deal with. Feedback from the coursework was fast, comprehensive and very personalised, his tutors always accessible and delight to deal with, providing excellent exam preparation. The administration of the books, coursework, lesson plans and other issues was spot-on. Wolsey Hall has our strongest recommendation and they have our fulsome praise and thanks for their efforts; he passed all three with great grading and will start University this year. My Son wears his Wolsey Hall sweatshirt with pride, they are very much his Alma Mater. Delighted!
Paul, May 12, 2020
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Wolsey Hall is an excellent school for…
Wolsey Hall is an excellent school for young adults to excel in their studies. Using the homeschooling system allows adolescents to develop a sense of orderliness, perseverance, patience and importance of achievement. The way the system works is very clear, efficient and straightforward with many resources provided. Tutors are very helpful, always giving inspiring compliments as well as advising on how to improve and where to focus attention. Wolsey Hall gave our daughter a unique opportunity to study AS and A levels while living in France. We are very grateful for the invaluable help we received from all the team. The synergy of hard work and support produced exceptionally great results: our daughter was accepted to one of the best universities.
parent, October 14, 2019
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Exceptional Experience
My daughter is an American student studying with Wolsey Hall. I knew very little about the Cambridge curriculum when my daughter began her IGCSE studies, but Wolsey Hall has made every effort to help both of us along the way. Their tutors are excellent, the materials they offer are thorough and I cannot say enough good things about their support staff. My daughter achieved very high marks on her IGCSE exams and is now studying A levels with Wolsey Hall. I highly recommend them for anyone wanting an exceptional learning experience.
Elaine, September 25, 2019
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Excellent
I would recommend Wolsey Hall Oxford to anyone considering homeschooling. Each course has plenty of resources on canvas and the course books are very informative. Any questions or help that we needed (preparing and arranging exams etc) have always been dealt with by the friendly tutors and student progress manager. My daughter achieved excellent IGCSE results and is now taking an A-level course.
D Hogan, September 18, 2019
Rated 4.9 / 5 based on 413 reviews.
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