What is A Level Statistics?

If you enjoyed GCSE Statistics or Maths, you might be considering A Level Statistics.

Offered by Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab), A Level Statistics teaches you the required skills to use and understand data.

This guide walks you through what the course covers, how it's assessed, what you need to take it and where it can lead.

Key Takeaways

• Pearson Edexcel is currently the only exam board offering A Level Statistics

• While it overlaps with statistics in A Level Maths, it is a distinct qualification

• Assessment is three written exam papers taken at the end of Year 13

• It opens routes into degrees in Statistics and joint honours, as well as careers in data science, business and economics

What is A Level Statistics?

A Level Statistics is focused exclusively on collecting, analysing and interpreting statistical data.

It goes well with subjects like A Level Biology, Psychology, Geography, Business Studies and Economics.

A Level Statistics vs the Statistics in A Level Maths — what's the difference?

A Level Statistics is its own qualification, but A Level Maths also involves statistics. Here are the key features of both:

A Level Statistics focuses entirely on collecting, analysing and interpreting statistical data.

A Level Maths topics come under three different areas: pure mathematics, mechanics and statistics.

If you take A Level Statistics, you’ll study statistics alone. If you take A Level Maths, statistics is just one of three areas you’ll cover.

Which exam board offers A Level Statistics?

Pearson Edexcel is currently the only exam board offering A Level Statistics. Not all sixth forms offer it, so check what your school provides before counting on it.

What do you study in A Level Statistics?

A Level Statistics includes 21 topics:

1. Numerical measures, graphs and diagrams

2. Probability 

3. Population and samples 

4.  Introduction to probability distributions 

5. Binomial distribution 

6. Normal distribution 

7. Correlation and linear regression

8. Introduction to hypothesis testing 

9. Contingency tables 

10. One and two sample non-parametric tests

11. Bayes’ theorem 

12. Probability distributions

13. Experimental design

14. Sampling, estimates and resampling 

15. Hypothesis testing, significance testing, confidence intervals and power 

16. Hypothesis testing for 1 and 2 samples 

17. Paired tests

18.  Exponential and Poisson distributions

19. Goodness of fit

20. Analysis of variance

21. Effect size

How is A Level Statistics assessed?

The table below is an overview of Pearson Edexcel’s assessment structure:

Do you need A Level Maths to take A Level Statistics?

No, but it helps if you did well in GCSE Maths and/or Statistics. In fact, many students who want to focus exclusively on statistics prefer A Level Statistics to A Level Maths.

How hard is A Level Statistics?

It’s generally not listed among the hardest A Levels, but those who found GCSE Maths or Statistics hard will likely find it difficult.

With 21 topics, A Level Statistics is very content-heavy. This can make the sheer amount of revision difficult.

However, the maths is less abstract than it is at A Level Maths. Data is becoming increasingly important, so the work you’ll be doing has clearer real-world application.

What can you do with A Level Statistics?

Here are just some of the pathways A Level Statistics can open up for you:

Further Study

• Degrees in Statistics and joint honours, e.g. Maths in Statistics or Psychology and Statistics

Careers

• Data scientist

• Business analyst

• Economist

Is A Level Statistics right for you?

If you enjoyed GCSE Maths and/or statistics, are interested in data and want a numerical A Level with real-world application, A Level Statistics is truly worth considering.

If you prefer a broader mathematical focus, A Level Maths is the better option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Level Statistics respected by universities?

Yes. Universities accept A Level Statistics as a recognised A Level worth standard UCAS points.

It's particularly valued for Statistics, Maths and other data-driven degrees.

Is there coursework in A Level Statistics?

No. The course consists of three written exam papers.

Which A Level subjects pair well with A Level Statistics?

Data-driven A Levels pair especially well with A Level statistics. These include A Level Biology, Psychology, Geography, Business Studies and Economics.

Can you self-teach A Level Statistics if your school doesn't offer it?

Yes, but it requires a lot of commitment. Most students combine self-study with tutoring.

Read our guide on how to take A Level exams privately for more information.

If you want a data-driven qualification that focuses more on statistics than A Level Maths does, A Level Statistics is worth considering. It's increasingly relevant given how much modern work involves data.