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Reasons to Self-Study A Levels

Reasons to self-study A Levels are wide ranging. Contrary to popular belief, A Levels aren’t subjects that have to be studied at school or college with a teacher. It is perfectly feasible for a student to decide to self study A Levels at home, either with full tutor support and an online course, or purely through text books by themselves.

Although a traditional qualification, A Levels are still flexible and so, the way they’re studied can be adapted to suit. The difference between online A Levels and traditional A Levels is purely the method of learning. The actual syllabus that students learn and cover in preparation for examination is exactly the same. The same applies to the end result, an A for a self-studied A-Level Mathematics is worth the same amount of UCAS points as one done in school.

To help students decide if self-studying A Levels if for them, we have compiled 5 reasons to self-study A Levels. The list is by no means the be all and end all of reasons, but they are good ones.

5 Reasons to Self-Study A Levels

  • Flexible study – When you opt to self-study your A Levels, then you have the flexibility to decide when you’re going to study and where. So if you want to study at work during lunch, you’re free to do so. If you want to only study at weekends, again, you’re free to do this.
  • Ability to fast track your studies – Usually, A Levels studied at school or college are studied over two years. But when you decided to self-study your courses, you can condense your studies into one year and get your A Levels faster.
  • Learn the way it suits you – It’s no secret that everyone is different and that means we all have different ways we like to learn. So when it comes to self-studying A Levels, you can choose the methods of study that really work for you.
  • Demonstrate to universities your self discipline – If there is one thing universities love to see in their potential students, it’s the ability to study independently. So opting to self-study your A Levels independently shows your potential university exactly what you’ve got.
  • Less pressure and stress with your studies – When you self-study A Levels, a lot of classroom pressure is taken away. So if you don’t fully understand something, you can just slow down and give yourself time to get it. There is no worry about keeping up with classmates.

Even with the 5 reasons listed above, it’s always important to remember that self-studying isn’t for everyone. And so before you do make the leap, make sure you take the time to check with yourself that self-study is the way for you.

A Level Subjects you can Self Study

Thanks to the internet and improved online learning portals, the range of A Levels available is huge! In fact, it’s safe to say you can self study almost every A Level that you would do at school or college. Below is a list of a few of the courses you can self study easily at home:

Believe it or not, you can even self study courses that have additional elements to them, like coursework or practicals. Although slightly more tricky to complete, you can still do the courses. So if you’re keen to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English or History, it’s still possible. You just need to keep in mind you will need an exam centre that allows for private candidates to complete the additional elements with them.

How to do your Exams

When it comes to the exams themselves, you will need to register as a Private Candidate with a local centre. You can easily find a list of centres near you that accept Private Candidates through the awarding bodies’ websites. It’s important to keep in mind the cost of sitting your exams does vary from centre to centre. So make sure you take the time to check prices before deciding on one.

Once you have picked your exam centre, the next step is getting registered to sit the exams. This process is actually incredibly simple, you just fill in a form, making sure you include your course codes and then pay your fees. From there, the exam centre will register you for the exams and request your exam papers from the awarding bodies. Once that step is done, all you need to worry about is learning your course and turning up for the exams.

The best time to book in for your exams is in the January/February of the year you wish to sit your exams. That way you have plenty of time to prepare for the exams and you don’t need to worry about completing forms at the last minute. Also, if you are opting to take courses with additional elements, it allows you time to complete these and get them submitted before your written exams.

Ready to Start your A Levels now?