Im going back to uni to do a MSc but..... I have recently been a college lecturer teaching both A Levels and Access! If independent study, lots of academia, facts and minutiae, exams and subject depth is what you want/ need, do A Levels. Access is very intensive assignment-wise but if you keep on top of them as they come in, you should be fine. There are lots of essays, some presentations, maybe posters, some exams.... all different forms of assessment and as said above, if you fail an assignment you can resubmit it though it will be capped at a pass. Classes tend to be much bigger for Access (I had 2 in one A2 class and 45 in an Access group!). The quality of the Access course varies hugely on the college and the board (I have been at drastically differing organisations), and some tutors are more lenient than others. A levels are externally marked exams but internally marked coursework. Some colleges have a better reputation with HE institutions for Access, so you might get looked upon more favourably if you study at one college rather than another. I think Access is better geared towards returning learners, and often come with study skills elements, flexible lecture options, and start assuming next to nothing ( my first biology lecture intro started with Year 7 stuff that most of the adults had forgotten!). And I dont know who would ever say A Levels are easy or easier than Access. Nope. HTH