What Are A-levels & How Do Online A-levels Work In The UK?

July 15, 2023 |  10months | General

Key takeaways

A-levels meaning

There are a multitude of exams that students around the world can take to demonstrate their expertise in different subjects. These exams vary from one country to another and depend on the level the student is at. At high school in the UK, A-level exams are taken by students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are preparing to enter university.

By this point, most students have already sat their GCSE exams and have to decide on their A-level subjects based on how they’ve performed and the subjects that are important for the university and courses they want to pursue.

In-person vs. online learning

Courses for A-level exams can be taken in person or virtually.

While in-person courses can have benefits in terms of socialising with your classmates and teachers, online learning offers many other advantages in terms of flexibility, reduced costs, customisation, and tracking options.

Benefits of online A-level courses

Flexibility and convenience

Preparing A-level exams remotely provides extra flexibility compared to studying in person. Students can choose to study from different locations and at different times, which allows them to adjust their study routine around their daily schedules.

Personalised support from tutors

When studying an A-Level course with CloudLearn, each student is assigned a tutor whom they can contact 24/7 via chat to receive personalised support with any questions they may have.

Self-paced learning

By learning through an online platform, students can plan their study schedules as they wish. They can navigate the content at their own pace, allowing them to revise and ask as many questions as needed.

Study from anywhere

Studying remotely not only prevents students from attending schools or educational institutions but also allows students to take lessons from different locations and without the requirement to attend school or an educational institution.

Personalised schedules

Students can match their learning schedule to the rest of their daily activities or jobs, as they can decide when to take lessons without restrictions.

Progress tracking and feedback

The CloudLearn platform records data of the lessons taken, messaging with tutors, mock exams results, and any other activity done in it. This way, students can keep track of their progress and adapt their study strategies accordingly.

Gain extra skills

Using an online platform may also teach students to use IT resources that are not taught in school. Besides, students have to adjust their own schedules and make their own choices about the subjects they take. This can reinforce their independence and encourage them to gain responsibility for their own studies, as they are not imposed on any structures.

How do online A-levels work in the UK?

There are many variables to take into consideration when planning to sit for A-levels exam. Getting insights about the process will help you make informed decisions as to which are the best options for you.

Subjects

An A-level is not a predefined, general-knowledge exam that all students take. There is an exam for each subject, and students need to choose which ones they wish to take. The most recommended path to take is deciding upon a degree beforehand, and creating a list of intended universities. This way, students can research which A-levels are required for their chosen degree and their required grades.

Grades & percentages

A-levels are graded from A* to E, A* being the highest mark possible that requires +90% of correct answers. If students do not pass the exam, they will be granted a U mark, which stands for “unqualified”. Each of these marks represents a percentage of correct answers:

A*	90% +
A	80-89%
B	70-79%
C	60-69%
D	50-59%
E	40-49%
U	0-40%

If you didn’t get the grades you need for your ideal university choice, you can always retake A-levels for a second chance.

Duration

The duration of exams depends on the subject you are taking and their exact specifications. Exams are made up of several sections called components. For example, maths exams are usually composed of pure maths, statistics and mechanics sections. Each exam may have a different number of components that vary in duration. These choices determine the overall duration of your exam. Still, the average is between 2 and 3 hours.

Requirements

There are no specific prerequisites to sit for an A-level exam in the UK, but we recommend having sat the GCSE exam for every subject you are preparing to study at A-level.

Exam preparation

In a school setting, A-level preparation takes approximately two years. However, when studying online with CloudLearn, you set the pace of study, so you can prepare for exams in as little as just a few months if need be. Students select the subjects they want to sit for and enrol in our programs to study online with the help of our tutors, who are available to contact 24/7.

Final grade calculation

In the past, the process was divided in two and students had to take an exam after finishing the first year. This exam, called AS, allowed students to continue studying, and it represented 50% of the total A-level mark. By the end of the second year, students used to sit for the A2 exam, the second part of the A-level, and the average of both marks was the final result of the A-level for that subject.

Nowadays in the new Linear A-Levels, the AS exam can still be taken and is worth approx 50% of the UCAS points, however, most students will take the full A-Level exam after studying for approximately 360 hours.

After finishing all the A-level exams for all the subjects chosen, the grades achieved make up your total A-level mark. For instance, if you got an A* in one subject, an A in the second and a B in the third, your final A-level mark will be A*AB.

A-level certification

But in the end, why is the A-level certification so important? A-levels certify that you are proficient in the areas required for universities in order to further your education. Furthermore, employers all over the world know that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to get a job position.

How to get started? (step-by-step)

Enrolment process

The enrolment process is very easy. Access our online A-Level courses, choose which ones you want to take, and add them to your basket as you would on any online selling platform.

Registration and application

Once you have enrolled, you will receive unique login details within 15 mins (if enrolled within normal UK working hours). After that, you can enter the CloudPort platform, where you will access all your course information and start studying.

Payment options and fees

At CloudLearn, students can go over the platform and courses before making a commitment by having a look at the free trial. We are the only A-level course provider that lets students experience the product first-hand!

After the enrollment process, you can choose to pay for everything at once or set a monthly instalment plan to spread the investment along the time of the course. These plans depend on how many courses you are taking. If you are lucky, you may even find some temporary sales with discounts! Visit our platform to find out about the specific fees for every course and the offers currently available.

Access to course materials

All the course materials are available on the CloudPort platform, where you will be able to consult theoretical material as well as contact your tutor or other students taking the course. If you have decided to receive printed materials, these will get to you within 8-10 business days.

Prepare for the exam

Once you have received your access to the platform, the only thing left to do is prepare for the exam. Study at your own pace, contact your tutor when necessary, and discuss with other students on CloudPort. When you feel ready, you can sit our mock exams, which will give you an overview of your performance and allow you to reinforce those areas where you may not feel as strong in. Furthermore, taking mock exams allows us to create your Predicted Grades, the marks you are expected to achieve should you continue on the same path. Six months before the exam, remember to book it! Our student advisors will help you find the perfect examination centre that is close to your location and matches your needs.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there are several ways to get ready for A-level exams. The most common way is studying in a school setting, which takes approximately two years, but students nowadays can opt to prepare on online platforms. These allow aspirant students to study at their own pace, fast-track their exams, and pay for online courses as they advance with the preparation. Choose CloudLearn to study from anywhere, with the support of your assigned tutors, and find the most suitable examination centres easily.

FAQs

What is the A-level system in the UK?

A-levels are a set of exams students in the UK take after finishing high school to certify their knowledge about certain subjects in order to access universities and jobs.

A-levels are exams to certify students’ knowledge in several areas. To acquire this certification, they need to prepare for two years, an equivalent of 360 hours. This preparation can be done at educational centres or remotely, from the comfort of your home, or even while travelling.

Can I do A-levels in one year?

Yes! At schools, students take two years to prepare for A-level, although there are programs to shorten this span to one year. Besides, our platform allows you to Fast Track your qualification, as you are not restricted by lesson schedules. This way, you can study at your own pace, fitting the required 360 study hours in just a few months.

Do you need A-Levels to go to university?

The answer to this question can vary greatly depending on each university, but the general answer is yes. Different universities may require less or more A-level exams, with different grades corresponding to different subjects. Most students at School will sit 2-4 A-Levels looking to achieve a minimum of 112 UCAS points. UCAS points are awarded based on the result achieved. For an A* grade 56 points can be achieved compared to 48 and 40 for A & B grades respectively. To calculate your UCAS points use the UCAS Tariff Point Calculator.

Do I need GCSE to do A-levels?

Not necessarily. Some schools may require students to hold a GCSE certificate, in particular for those subjects they are pursuing an A-level in, but this is not an established regulation. However, taking GCSE exams is highly recommended, as it will grant students some background knowledge in the matter.

Can adults get A-Levels?

Yes. Students in the UK usually sit for their A-levels at the age of 18, but there is no age restriction for these exams. This can occur with adults who decide to start studying later, or because they want to retake these exams.

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