DD only decided what she wanted to study in year 12 after choosing her options; the degree she wants requires physics which she didn’t take. Where can she take the additional A level, assume she has to go to a private school for it? Where? How long does it take and how much it cost?
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stressedespresso · 05/07/2024 20:27
Most good colleges have ‘fast track’ A level courses for this exact reason (2 years worth of study compressed into 1). They are full on and very fast paced in order to fit all of the course content in, especially when it comes to sciences but if that’s what she wants to do then by all means go for it. At our local college the fees for fast track are £1000 per subject.
Alternatively taking a foundation year is also an option - what is she wanting to study OP?
Pretprep · 05/07/2024 20:34
Thank you. Are any good colleges in London? She wants to study Mechanical engineering
stressedespresso · 05/07/2024 20:27
Most good colleges have ‘fast track’ A level courses for this exact reason (2 years worth of study compressed into 1). They are full on and very fast paced in order to fit all of the course content in, especially when it comes to sciences but if that’s what she wants to do then by all means go for it. At our local college the fees for fast track are £1000 per subject.
Alternatively taking a foundation year is also an option - what is she wanting to study OP?
Needmoresleep · 06/07/2024 02:29
In London somewhere like DLD, MPW, Ashbourne. There are a whole load of them. Google “A levels in a year”.
A few years back we knew someone who also decided late they wanted to study engineering and so needed physics. The learning was very efficient and they got into a good University.
A slight warning. There can be two type of students at private London sixth form colleges. The very motivated, often from overseas. (A relative of DH grew up in Italy but wanted to study at a British University so went to Ashbourne. He had to work very hard but did very well.) Or you get the less academic, or less motivated who may have been asked to leave their boarding schools or are resitting. The better colleges will interview and select, and will be able to boast of impressive results.
PettsWoodParadise · 06/07/2024 07:08
Just to highlight that some maths heavy degrees do not like gap years. Maths can get very rusty very quickly so do check that aspect t too.
Pretprep · 06/07/2024 07:45
Yes, this is a risk, perhaps she can also fo further maths. It is a shame we didn’t think the subjects properly before A levels
PettsWoodParadise · 06/07/2024 07:08
Just to highlight that some maths heavy degrees do not like gap years. Maths can get very rusty very quickly so do check that aspect t too.
Needmorelego · 06/07/2024 09:07
Is she just coming to the end of Year 12?
Everyone is funded for 3 years of Post 16 education - even though most people only do the usual 2.
Could she just start the subject in September and do the extra year at 6th Form.
Needmorelego · 06/07/2024 09:07
Is she just coming to the end of Year 12?
Everyone is funded for 3 years of Post 16 education - even though most people only do the usual 2.
Could she just start the subject in September and do the extra year at 6th Form.
Needmorelego · 06/07/2024 10:15
@Pretprep does her school not offer it as a subject?
She could switch to another 6th Form or college but that would mean starting the A-levels she's already started again from the beginning.
hellsbells99 · 06/07/2024 08:59
She could also self study for further maths at AS level during her extra year - there are lots of resources online. She doesn’t even need to take the exams if she doesn’t want to, as just studying the mechanics modules will help when she goes to university.
Needmorelego · 06/07/2024 11:01
@Pretprep you won't necessarily have to pay as education is free until the end of the academic year a person turns 19.
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