What are A Levels?

A Levels, also known as advanced level qualifications, are subject-specific qualifications that allow you to progress to university, work, or further training. Typically studied over two years at post-16 or sixth form level, students choose either three or four A Levels that will aid them in their next steps.

The reason many students choose to study A Levels is because they wish to achieve the UCAS points they need to secure a place on their chosen degree course at their desired university. To find out how many UCAS points your A Level grades will translate to, read our guide on UCAS points here.

How do distance learning A Levels work?

Studying your A Levels via distance learning simply takes location out of studying your course. You are still able to study a fully recognised and accredited qualification without actually having to attend school or college.

You’re in charge of your studies. This means you can study around your life commitments instead of fitting life around your learning. There are no scheduled classes to attend or a timetable to abide by. Our A Level courses are tailored for people who need to fit learning around their existing commitments. Specifically designed to be studied from home, we have made it easy to study around your busy schedule.

Our online A Levels are independently accredited by established examination bodies including AQA, OCR, and Edexcel. Each independent awarding body performs detailed, rigorous checks to ensure our courses meet their high standards.

Distance learning doesn’t mean that you are on your own. Your dedicated, personal tutor is with you throughout your journey to offer unlimited support and advice when you need it. You’ll have full access to our online support and tutor helpdesk and our learner services team is just a phone call away.

A Level packages – exams and assessments

A Levels are assessed primarily through examinations, and in some cases, coursework and/or practical sessions too, which are then combined to give a final grade. If you are planning to go on to higher education, this grade can then be translated into Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) points, with up to 56 points awarded per A Level.

To help you achieve the best possible grade, our A Levels include learning activities and a number of tutor-marked assignments, providing you with detailed feedback to help you fine-tune your technique before taking your exams. Your assignments can also help your personal tutor to provide you with a predicted grade, where this is required, for your university application.

Where practical assessments form part of your A Level course, we can provide this at our partner centres. There is usually a choice of dates for these hands-on sessions, and they are always scheduled on non-working days. More information is included with the relevant courses on the following pages.

When you enrol with OSC, you can choose to add your exams (and practical assessments where applicable) to your enrolment. If you choose this option, we will take care of booking and paying for your exams for you, allowing you to concentrate on your studies.

A Level grades

Understanding how A Level grades are calculated and what they mean is essential for any student taking these exams.

Our A Level grades guide answers some common questions about A Level grading, including what grades are considered a pass, how many UCAS points an A Level is worth, and how A Level grades are calculated, so take a read to find out all you need to know.

If you're worried about the outcome, our guide on what happens if you fail A Levels offers reassurance and outlines the fantastic alternative options you can consider.

Tutor support

When you study your A Levels with us, you’ll get unlimited, personal tutor support. Your tutor will be on hand to guide you through your course and help with any questions you may have, ensuring you are fully prepared for your examinations. You’ll never be alone. This is just one of the many benefits you’ll get from enrolling with Open Study College.

Also check out our study techniques to help you ace your A Levels!

Want to learn more?

Watch our in-depth video on how you can study A Levels online with Open Study College.

To find out more about the online A Levels we offer at Open Study College, download our A Level prospectus.