Most home-educated students go to college or sixth-form school to study for A-levels, or other qualifications such as Btecs. However, some students do continue to study from home at 16+.
What Are A Level Qualifications?[]
A(Advanced) Levels are an academic qualification typically taken by students aged 16-18 and after GCSE or IGCSE exams. They are the most common route into further (colleges) and higher (universities) education. Other routes include Btecs, T Levels and certain apprenticeships.
A Levels are more specialised than GCSEs, allowing students to study specific subjects in greater depth. Students typically study three or four A-Level subjects over two years, with exams taken at the end. A wide range of A Levels are available, some in subjects which are not available at GCSE level. A-levels are more advanced and challenging than GCSEs and require a higher level of critical thinking, analysis, and independent study skills.
A Level qualifications are graded from A* to E, with A* being the highest grade and E the lowest. Many universities and employers use A Level grades as part of their selection criteria, with universities requiring specific grades for admission to degree programmes.
Although A Levels are usually assessed through written exams, some will also include assessed coursework or practical assignments. Students are expected to have a high level of self-discipline and independent study skills to succeed in their A-Level studies.
Studying A-levels From Home[]
Because most home educated children go on to 6th forms or FE colleges to study for A Levels, there may be less experience of A Levels in your local home educating community. Do join the groups below for more support and information.
Support Groups[]
Facebook Group Home Educating through A-levels
Facebook Group Home Education UK Exams and Alternatives
Useful Links[]
Sixteen Plus - options, child benefit etc
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) - alternatives from home education.
Applying to University after Home Education
Making entries and sitting exams
There are specific issues around taking the practical exams for Science subjects at A Level. For more information about this see this page.
A Level Awarding bodies[]
To find out what subjects are available to study at A Level and whether they are open to private candidates, you will need to read the specification (syllabus) of each one you would like to sit. Each awarding body has a list of the A Levels they offer.
AQA A Level subjects.
Edexcel Pearson A Level Subjects
Educas qualifications, including A Level
OCR A Level subjects
CCEA (Northern Ireland) A Level subjects
WJEC (Wales) qualifications including A Levels
International A Levels[]
Cambridge International A Levels[]
CAIE (Cambridge) International A-levels, are available in the UK.
They are accepted as equivalent to state-regulated A-levels by UK universities; most unis have made statements confirming this. CAIE has a search facility which allows you to find these recognition statements, but it can be hard to navigate so we have made a snapshot of recognition statements as of May 2019.
They have November and June sittings. Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically one year. Cambridge International A Levels still have the option to sit AS-levels which contribute to the final A-level grade, unlike the reformed A levels.
Assessment options
You can choose from a range of assessment options to gain Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications:
- Take the Cambridge International AS Level only. The syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level.
- Take a ‘staged’ assessment route – take the Cambridge International AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent series. AS Level marks can be carried forward to a full A Level twice within a 13 month period.*
- Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course.
* The staged assessment route is not possible in all subjects. The outcomes awarded for Cambridge International AS Level language syllabuses cannot be carried forward to Cambridge International A Level.
CIE were not effected by the A level reforms - explanation here CIE International A-levels and the A-level changes:
Edexcel International A-levels[]
Edexcel International A-levels have no coursework - they offer exam-only assessment for all subjects, including sciences. They are now available in the UK, but only through Tutors & Exams exam centres. These are modular exams, unlike A levels or Cambridge International A Levels which are all linear exams. You can also take them at overseas Edexcel centres.
A Level Reforms[]
From 2013-2019 there were large reforms to A Levels
The main features of the new qualifications are:
- Assessment mainly by exam, with other types of assessment used only where they are needed to test essential skills.
- AS and A levels assessed at the end of the course. AS assessments will typically take place after 1 year’s study and A levels after 2.
- AS and A levels are decoupled – this means that AS results no longer count towards an A level.
- AS levels can be designed by exam boards to be taught alongside the first year of A levels.
- The content for the new A levels has been reviewed and updated.
Government information on changes inc a timetable of he changes (useful if looking for past papers)
The Uni Guide (from The Student Room) to the changes
Alternatives to A Levels as a route into university[]
A-Levels In One Sitting? Retakes?[]
Does it matter if you spread your A-levels out over 3 years or more? What about resits?
Some universities, or some departments, specify that A-levels must be taken in one sitting, ie 3 A-levels with final exams taken in the same exam season. Others do not have a policy on this. Some say that applicants with resits will not be disadvantaged, whilst others may say they do not accept resit grades. Usually the university will make a statement about these things on its 'Information for applicants' page, and then on the department/ course listings you may find more detail about requirements for a specific course. The reason for prioritising first-time grades and 3 A-levels in one sitting is that very competitive courses may be fast-paced and they want applicants who will be able to keep up with the workload. Some degree courses have a lighter workload than others or may be more flexible.
Personal Experiences[]
What is it like doing A-levels from home education? How do families decide whether it is right for them? Here are some comments from home educators: Case Studies: A Levels at Home
Distance Learning Providers For A Levels[]
The National Extension College (NEC) is the oldest and possibly the most well known organisation providing distance learning for A Level courses.