A-Levels that fit around your life

Yes. A-Levels are a nationally regulated qualification awarded by Ofqual-recognised bodies such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel, and OCR. Your certificate does not indicate how you studied. All UK universities, including Russell Group institutions, accept A-Levels gained through private study and examination in exactly the same way as those taken at a school or sixth form.

You register as a private candidate at an approved exam centre: a school, college, or tutorial centre registered with your awarding organisation. The JCQ directory lists 190+ UK centres that accept private candidates. You contact the centre directly, pay the exam fee, and sit under standard invigilated conditions. We guide you through registration and the deadlines, which centres typically set in December or January for May/June exams.

Yes. Each grade carries a value: A* = 56, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24, E = 16. Most students apply with three A-Levels, and the total points form part of the conditional offer. For example, grades AAB give 136 UCAS points. GCSEs do not generate UCAS points, but universities usually require grade 4 in GCSE English and Maths alongside your offer.

Most online providers ask for a minimum of four GCSEs at grade C/4 or above as a guideline, though many have no formal entry requirements. Some subjects recommend specific prior knowledge, for instance A-Level Maths typically assumes a strong GCSE Maths grade. If you are unsure whether your background is sufficient, speak to our admissions team and we will help you find the right starting point.

Most online A-Levels can be completed in 12 to 24 months, depending on the hours you can commit each week. There is no fixed deadline, so you progress at your own pace and book your exam when your tutor confirms you are ready. Bear in mind A-Level exams are sat once a year in the May/June series, so timing your study to an exam sitting is important.

Yes. Many popular subjects are fully exam-assessed with no Non-Exam Assessment, including Maths, Biology (most specifications), Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Business Studies, Economics, Sociology, and Religious Studies. Subjects that do include coursework include History, English Language, English Literature, and Geography. Choosing a fully exam-assessed subject can simplify the process for private candidates.

You can study any number. Most university courses ask for three, but some learners take one or two to complement other Level 3 qualifications, or add a single A-Level to meet a specific course requirement such as Chemistry for a nursing or medicine application. There is no minimum or maximum, so check the entry requirements for your target course before deciding.