Anyone ever done A-levels at home or through an online course? Opinions? (10 points)?

Question

I'm from the UK so please don't answer if you're from the US just because the schooling system is completely different there! :)

First off, I'm 20 years old. I've only recently had the realisation that I have no idea where my life is going BUT I know I still have time to turn things around. I did my AS levels when I was younger but never completed my second year. I've been to college and while I didn't absolutely hate it, I just never found the classes particularly helpful. I did 99% of the work on my own and classes ended up just being a hassle in the end, which is why I left. The only college near me is the one I attended before and it has a horrible reputation to be honest (just barely any passes etc), so I'd rather not go back there again. The only option left for me seems to be to do them at home. Maybe via an online course or something?

My questions are; Does anyone have any experience of this? Do universities take A-levels as seriously when you haven't got them through college? Or is that seen as a weakness? What's the best way to go about doing your A-levels at home?

Thanks for answering. Ten points goes to whoever gives the most detail!

Answer 1

A Levels are A Levels no matter how you get them or from where. They're issued by the exam board regardless of where (or if) you went to school. I've not done A Levels yet, I'm only 13, but my older brother and sister both did their A Levels through Oxford Homeschooling ( http://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk ). They're both at uni now, her at the University of Wales and him at Oxford (THE Oxford University, not Oxford Brookes), so, no, I don't think universities look down on A Levels done by alternative means!



Alternatively if you do want to do them online rather than by correspondence (Oxford, NEC*), take a look at Inter High. Briteschool were also planning on introducing A Levels but I don't know if they're up and running yet or still in the planning stage.



*National Extension College - http://www.nec.ac.uk/courses/category-browse?usca_p=t&category_id=3305

Inter High - http://www.interhigh.co.uk/interhigh_prospectus_advanced.asp

Briteschool - http://www.briteschool.co.uk



ETA: Apparently Briteschool plan to start running A Level courses in Sept 2012.

Answer 2

Hey,



In answer to your question, Anyone ever done A-levels at home or through an online course? Opinions? (10 points)?, I say you that this site http://onlinecollegesfaqs.net might help you in your situation



As you described; "I'm from the UK so please don't answer if you're from the US just because the schooling system is completely different there! :) First off, I'm 20 years old. I've only recently had the realisation that I have no idea where my life is going BUT I know I still have time to turn things around. I did my AS levels when I was younger but never completed my second year. I've been to college and while I didn't absolutely hate it, I just never found the classes particularly helpful. I did 99% of the work on my own and classes ended up just being a hassle in the end, which is why I left. The only college near me is the one I attended before and it has a horrible reputation to be honest (just barely any passes etc), so I'd rather not go back there again. The only option left for me seems to be to do them at home. Maybe via an online course or something? My questions are; Does anyone have any experience of this? Do universities take A-levels as seriously when you haven't got them through college? Or is that seen as a weakness? What's the best way to go about doing your A-levels at home? Thanks for answering. Ten points goes to whoever gives the most detail!" I hope it might help you.



All the Best :)

Answer 3

Firstly, a levels are a levels :) no one cares where you got them from or how you did, it's the same exam and give a universal grade.



Secondly, whilst it is possible to work from home, you will need to take the exams at a registered centre, each of which have their own policies on students being in school. If you are reluctant to contact the only cOllege in your area, I would suggest that you call some local schools which have sixth forms and explain the situation, see if you can be entered to sit the exams there. I can't guarantee it will be possible but it's worth a try. And if one say no it doesn't mean they all will.



It would be worth getting some advice from your nearest connextions centre (and I have spelled it right :P ) they offer free advice on further education and careers and know far more about this than I do :) google connexions and they should have a website with some good information, plus the location of your local centre in case you need to speak to an advisor.

Answer 4

You might want to look at the website http://www.educationotherwise.org which is about getting an education in the UK outside of the government school system. They'll have lots of information on this sort of thing.

Answer 5

1111

Answer 6

wow...it would have taken 1 day to think and 1 hour to type. It is a good set of questions not only for politicians but also for all of us