A-Levels represent both an opportunity to learn and to advance your career. They allow you to study the subjects you’re passionate about in great depth. After which you will get a nationally recognised qualification for your trouble. This can either help you to get a better job or get into university.
A-Levels are recognised by employers and universities alike both in the UK and abroad. They allow you to explore subjects of interest in real depth, before studying them further at university or using them to progress in your career.
A-Level study adds significant value to your CV as A-Level qualifications indicate students have achieved a high standard of learning. As such, A-Level study proves learners can confidently proceed into further study and that they have developed skills valuable to the job market.
Whether you are looking to progress to undergraduate study or you’re hoping to move up in your career, achieving A-Levels will help. Recognised and valued worldwide, each A-Level is worth up to 56 UCAS points. The points of which provide access to UK universities and higher education colleges.
Typically offered at brick-and-mortar colleges and sixth forms, taking A-Levels online allows you to study the same course, but with the flexibility and benefits that come with studying at home.
A-Level Online Courses are Flexible
Whether you’re a first-time student or revisiting a subject you need for university. Anyone can study A-Levels online and reach the next step in their plan. Achieving your goals without committing to a college timetable.
Not everyone has the time or freedom to commit to full-time A Level study so, while traditional colleges are a perfectly acceptable route for education, they don’t cater for everyone’s circumstances.
Not only are some unable to study in a classroom, many simply don’t want to. The thought of going back to school is a source of anxiety for some.
Whatever your situation or background, through distance learning A Levels, you can study when and where you wish. There are no classes or timetables, so you are in control of how and when you learn. No more swapping shifts so you don’t miss a class and no need to arrange a babysitter.
While students have two years to complete the online A-Levels, they can also work through the course materials as quickly as they like since they are all immediately available online. Having the option to complete at your own pace provides a genuine opportunity to submit a university application sooner than you would otherwise be able to.
What’s more, there’s no need to wait until September to start. Enrol on distance learning A-Levels at any point of the year and start learning. Despite exams taking place once a year in May/June, should you effectively plan and structure your A-Level study time, completing within a shorter timeframe is possible.
There are also a number of flexible ways to pay for your A-Level study course.
A-Levels Require Discipline
With the level of flexibility offered by home learning comes a great deal of responsibility. It is completely up to you how well you do in the course and how quickly you achieve your grades.
You’re in charge of setting goals and deadlines to make sure you are ready for your exams. And you’re the one who needs to motivate yourself to keep up with the course content. There won’t be any mandatory assignments or mid-term tests to keep you on track, or a teacher making sure you’re doing your work. It’s all on you.
It’s not always easy to keep on top of things yourself. Setting out a structure around your available time and sticking to it will help. Plus, giving yourself smaller goals to work towards throughout the A-Level study course can make the overall coursework look more attainable. This should help avoid the issue of not completing within the two-year timeframe and having to re-enrol. Which is a time and money expense you really wouldn’t want.
A-Level Online Courses Provide the Same Qualification
The course materials covered in an online A-Level are more or less the same as one offered by your local college. All recognised A-Levels go through the same Ofqual accreditation process. So, as long as your distance learning A-Levels have the Ofqual seal of approval, your qualification is no different.
A-Levels are extremely valued by employers since they demonstrate your ability to understand complex ideas and apply them either through assignments or exams.
Through your A-Level study experience, you will develop skills like information analysis, critical thinking, how to construct and deliver evidenced arguments and points of view, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. These skills help you stand out among the competition when applying for work.
You Learn at Your Pace
Online learning allows you to structure your own learning to a more enjoyable pace that caters to your needs. By working at a speed you are comfortable with you remove any fears of falling behind the class, instead simply focusing on the content of distance learning A Levels and taking it all in.
If you find a topic difficult, you can take more time on it, perhaps contacting your tutor to discuss it further. If there’s a topic you’re a whizz at, you can spend less time on it and move on to another.
You can gauge how you are doing in your A-Level study course from the feedback you get from your tutor, and allocate more time to modules that need more attention. Maximising efficiency and removing the anxiety that is often associated with classroom learning.
What’s more, the A-Level study course materials are aimed at mature learners, so you’ll be studying topics designed to be more relevant to you.
Learn with Dynamic and Engaging Course Materials
When you enrol on our distance learning A-Levels, you receive instant access to the entire course materials in an online portal. These have been designed to cover the content in clear, manageable chapters, with learning activities to challenge you along the way.
You’ll learn through a variety of mediums, such as video, audio and other visual means. This ensures the course materials are engaging and diverse. As they are always available, there’s no fear of missing what the teacher said because you couldn’t take notes quickly enough. You can take your time and take it in.
Through distance learning, you get the same quality of education as you would in a physical college with the benefit of working in your own time.
Receive One on One Tutor Support
Online learning providers should give you access to a tutor to guide you throughout your studies.
Tutors provide constructive feedback for you to build on and any help if you’re stuck. So, you won’t be left completely alone during your learning.
If an online learning provider doesn’t have this included in the course, then it probably isn’t legit.
With learndirect, each A-Level study student is assigned a highly qualified and dedicated tutor, with proven expertise in their subjects. So, as much as you are studying alone you are not alone.
Should you need it, you can receive one-to-one academic support by email. Simply reach out to them with your questions and they will be happy to help.
For all non-subject-related queries, you can contact our friendly student support team.
How to Study an A-Level at Home
Studying from home gives many of us the opportunity to get back into education, without having to sacrifice our income. As most of us have full-time jobs or families, going back to college isn’t a viable option.
Online learning offers the opportunity to learn whichever subject is relevant to you from the comfort of your own home.
Although online learning is definitely a different experience from the more teacher-led studies it’s not any less effective. If you’re open-minded and determined to succeed, then studying an A-Level from home is a very rewarding experience. Our tips will help you nail the process!
Choosing Your Course
It’s important when choosing to study any course that you have thought of what your objectives are and what you plan on doing once you’ve qualified.
If you’re looking to go to university after your A-Level study, then make sure the course is relevant to the degree. You wouldn’t want to put in the hard work to find that the university requirements differ from what you anticipated.
For example, if you want to study Humanities at university then ideally, you’d take A-Level Psychology or History.
Universities can set their own entry requirements which means each course may vary slightly. So, it’s your job to double-check that the course you’re doing will get you where you want to be.
One of the other advantages of studying your A-Levels online is the number of A-Level study courses available.
Where other colleges must have a certain level of interest in a course to run, distance learning providers have more flexibility since there are fewer costs involved in running courses.
This means online course providers can invest in many more and run them indefinitely. Giving you a much wider variety to choose from.
Choosing a Learning Provider
Another thing to consider is who you’re enrolling with. All A-Level qualifications have to be regulated by Ofqual to ensure the quality of the content and legitimacy of the course.
If a learning provider is offering an easier/cheaper way of getting an A-Level, then chances are it’s a scam. Especially if there is no mention of any awarding body or regulator.
Ofqual stands for the Office of Qualification and Examination Regulation and is a non-ministerial government agency. Therefore, if your provider has their stamp of approval, you’re good to go.
This also means that distance learning providers and physical colleges both offer qualifications of the same value. The main difference is the flexibility you have to study whenever suits you and the more independent learning style.
Preparing for Your Learning
Studying from home gives you the comfort and flexibility that physical colleges just can’t match. You won’t have to travel to class and sit in a draughty room. Simply open your laptop, log in and begin.
However, it’s still important to set up your learning environment appropriately to get the most out of your studies. The most successful online students not only plan their study sessions in advance but also set up their workspace efficiently.
An ideal workspace would have:
- A big enough desk or table to work from and lay out everything you need
- A comfortable dining or desk chair
- No distractions so you’re more likely to stay focused
- Everything you need nearby so you’re not constantly getting up to retrieve things
Breaks
Breaks give your mind time to process the information which in turn means it’s more likely to retain it. As well as reducing stress by splitting your study sessions into more manageable chunks.
Breaks make it easier to remain focused whilst you’re studying because you know you have an allocated time to relax.
However, when you do have a break, try not checking your phone or watching tv, they’re too distracting. Research shows that it takes around 20 minutes to get focused again after a distraction. This means that when you finally get back to studying your first 20 minutes won’t count for much.
It’s better to get away from your workstation to stretch your legs and get some fresh air instead. By doing so you’ll give yourself a better chance of getting focused again whilst still allowing time to unwind.
Get Creative
Online learning courses often lay out their information across various different mediums. This could mean incorporating text, watching videos and looking at images.
This gives you a more varied learning experience which in turn makes it more engaging. Studies show that online students are five times more likely to retain the information presented to them.
You can also further this by being varied in your notetaking and how you revise. Trying out different approaches will assist you in actively processing the information. As well as making the experience more enjoyable.
For example, taking mock exams is a great way to exercise the knowledge you’ve gained. Alternatively, flashcards can provide a fun way to lay out information in a different way.
It’s your learning experience, so it’s up to you to try things and see what works best.
The thing about distance learning is if something isn’t working out, you’re in control and you can change your approach. There isn’t a group project where your team aren’t pulling their weight or a teacher clicking through slides too fast.
You can work at whatever pace suits you and in whatever style as well.
Study An Online A-Level With Us!
Online courses allow you to not only learn from home, at your own pace, but they also teach you to study independently. Which is a skill you’ll certainly need to succeed at university.
Whatever reason you have to get back into education learndirect could have the course for you.
learndirect is one of the UK’s leading online learning providers offering courses from GCSEs to A-Levels and more.
All our courses are guided by expert tutors to support you through your studies. As well as flexible payment options to help you spread the cost.
If you’re ready to start learning, then get in touch with one of our advisors or enrol online today.
Alternatively, find out more by downloading our FREE A-Level faculty brochure below!
