How Much Does it Cost to Sit an A Level Exam Privately?

October 20, 2023 |  2 years | A-Level Fundamentals

The cost of A-Levels varies depending on the subject and exam centre. For instance, Edexcel exams cost a minimum of £111.70, but you must also consider the administrative fees each exam centre charges.

At CloudLearn, A-level courses are available for £399. If you opt to book the exam only, the cost ranges from £490 to £710 depending on the subject. The good news is that these prices cover the entire exam with no hidden fees. Plus, if you combine multiple courses, 5-15% and the exam-course bundle will get you even better deals.

How much does it cost to resit A Levels in 2025?

At CloudLearn, the cost of taking A-levels remains the same, whether it’s your first or second attempt. You can benefit from interest-free instalments to make payment more manageable, and booking multiple courses at once entitles you to discounts of 5-15%.

Factors Influencing the cost of private A-levels

Course Selection

One of the main factors that can affect course prices is the number of subjects selected. The same principle applies to courses at private institutions.

Additionally, different subjects may have different prices based on the accommodations needed to prepare and sit for these exams. For instance, some science A-levels require practical components, which increase the price to more than £1,000.

Tutor Support and Mentorship

At traditional schools, students usually attend classes with a group, and on some occasions, it can be difficult to keep up with the pace of lessons. To make up for this, schools often offer additional tutoring sessions, but these may be time-restricted or limited, or even charged for in private schools. For this reason, more and more students in the UK are hiring sessions with private tutors. At CloudLearn, students study topics on their own, but they can always contact their assigned tutor for unlimited support to ask questions, all included in the total price.

Online vs. Offline Learning

In terms of costs, being able to adjust schedules at your convenience allows you to use your time wisely, even dedicating part of the day to a part-time job and earning extra money without neglecting your studies.

Online platforms offer completely virtual courses that do not require you to use anything but an electronic device. This reduces the cost of buying and printing resources. At the same time, online courses help reduce other side costs, like commuting expenses. This contributes to making all the process more cost-effective.

Additionally, the prices of online courses are typically lower than their in-person alternative, since physical institutions need to cover expenses for buildings, furniture, teachers and studying resources. It is true, on the other hand, that students under 19 can access A-level courses for free at traditional institutions. However, spaces are very limited.

How much does each A-Level exam cost?

The cost for booking A-levels depends on the subjects chosen and the configuration of the exam papers, and whether or not they include any written/coursework components or physical laboratory practicals.

Subjects that include these elements are more expensive as they require more staffing and administrative consideration, not to mention the hiring of laboratory venues and equipment.

At CloudLearn the exam fee you are quoted at the point of enrolment is all you need to pay and covers the total cost for all examination papers, marking and certification. CloudLearn absorbs the annual exam fee increases so there are no hidden charges.

The total cost for booking written exams with CloudLearn is £490 to £710. The cost for Science exams that include a 4-day practical laboratory is £1,680, and written exam+course work, £2,080. Keep in mind that no extra fees will be charged, ensuring you won’t have any surprise expenses afterwards, as long as you enter for the exams in the recommended timeframes.

Financial Support and Discounts

Whether you choose online or offline learning, there are a few other tips you can follow to reduce the costs for A-level exams and preparation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Students can be granted a percentage off their A-level course tuition when applying for certain academies. These scholarships are granted based on the students’ academic performance, certified by their GCSE grades or predicted results, their total household income, and other aspects regarding their extracurricular interests and the enthusiasm they show towards their studies.

Certain schools may offer up to a 60% discount, while the government can offer students over 19 an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for courses, which does not take into account academic performance, credit checks or employment status. The best part is you can select the percentage of the total to request based on your financial status to later return to the government.

Early Bird and Bulk Course Discounts

We strongly advise students to book their exams at least 6 months prior to the day of the exam. This not only sets a clear deadline for your study plan, but also guarantees the lowest registration price. Booking closer to the final date can result in Late Fees or High Late Fees.

In addition, booking more than one course at CloudLearn will help you save by getting special discounts for volume enrolment. The more courses you enrol on, the lower the price! For 2 courses, you will be granted a 5% discount, for 3 courses 10%, and for 4 or more courses, a 15% discount off the total.

Payment Plans

One of the most useful alternatives that distance-learning platforms like CloudLearn offer is the possibility of paying in monthly instalments. This allows students to split the total into smaller, more affordable payments that can help them with their finances. The total can be spread over a period of between 6 to 48 months with an option of interest-free instalments.

Other Tips and Recommendations to Reduce Costs

Make use of free resources

While CloudPort includes all the necessary materials you need to prepare for exams, you may also want to consult other sources of information for further comprehension. To do so, we recommend using free resources to keep on reducing costs. Find virtual booklets on examination boards’ websites, attend your local library, and contact former students to ask for materials that they don’t use any more. Another great resource is watching YouTube videos from tutors or former students who share advice based on their experience preparing and sitting for A-levels.

Join study groups for collaborative learning

When going to the library to collect materials, ask about study groups and find other students to gather and study together. You can also contact peers through virtual platforms (such as CloudPort) and arrange meetings in person. This will help you share information, discuss topics and test each other before the exam in more interactive ways, without spending extra money. Besides, it may even help reduce your total study time, as alternative points of view provide a quicker understanding of topics, and make the learning journey fun.

Take advantage of our tutoring services

CloudLearn is one of the few platforms that offers unlimited tutoring for students, so use that to your benefit! Contact your assigned tutor whenever you need help and to ask for study tips, without investing a single extra penny.

CloudLearn: Offering Affordable Online A-Level Courses

When comparing CloudLearn’s prices to other platforms’, the difference is clear: our fees are lower than all our top competitors, with up to 40% lower prices! Not to mention that you can always get up to a 15% discount by enrolling in several courses at once.

Additionally, we not only offer courses at a more affordable price, but also plenty of options and benefits for students: let us help you find the most suitable exam centre for you, pay your exam fees in just one payment that covers everything, and contact your tutors whenever you need with unlimited tutor support.

Conclusion

While many colleges offer courses to prepare students for A-levels, online courses are probably the best cost-effective option for those looking for innovative learning methods. Fast-track your progress, study from anywhere, unlimited tutor support, and pay in instalments. All with a 100% pass guarantee! Enrol in our A-level courses now!

FAQs

Are online A-levels cheaper than traditional ones?

Considering several aspects involved in preparing for A-levels and exam fees (materials, commuting, tutoring sessions, and more), online courses tend to be more cost-effective than traditional ones.

How do discounts work for multiple A-level courses?

At CloudLearn, multi-course discounts depend on the number of courses you are booking. For 2 courses, you will be granted a 5% discount, for 3 courses, a 10% discount, and for 4 or more courses, a 15% discount.

Are there any hidden costs to be aware of with private A-levels?

Not at CloudLearn! Students pay for their courses and their exams. Exam fees include everything, including registration, examination centre charges, administrative fees, and certification. Students don’t have to worry about surprise expenses.

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