[lou_90]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for an examination centre in Birmingham, so far I have only found 2 centres that will accept me for AS Sociology and AS Psychology (Halesowen who have quoted me £150 per exam and a local school have quoted me £105 per exam) Unfortunately, this is money I don't have. I was also thinking about taking French and Law AS but now this seems impossible if each exam is £100-150. So my question is, does anyone know of any cheap exam centres in the West Midlands area (preferably in Birmingham) and has anyone ever received any financial help towards gaining a levels privately? (I am 22 and have never previously studied at level 3)

Many thanks for any advice offered

[blondie :)]

Have a look online, some exam boards publish places where they accept private candidates. I just found this on AQA:
http://store.aqa.org.uk/admin/librar...ND-CENTRES.PDF

I don't know the prices or anything myself though. Maybe it's just the fee you may have to pay overall anyway, for things such as extra admin costs etc.

[lou_90]

Thank you for your reply. I have contacted almost all of the centres listed for Birmingham over the past few weeks with no luck! (except the 2 places I mentioned above) My main question is about cost, really. Hoping that someone will know of a centre that doesn't charge too much and that's not too far (within an hour of Birmingham would be fine)

[lou_90]

bump

[Tw1x]

The cost for private candidates varies greatly, independent schools often charge alot more than public ones. I feel for you, it took me two years to find a centre willing to accept me. At one college I was charged 20 pounds, with a 15 pound administration fee, some charge alot more. You HAVE to be willing to travel to be a private candidate. If not, your best bt is to compile a list of all the colleges/sixth forms in the area you are willing to travel, whether they are on the AQA page or not and get in touch and ask.

[ViixKey]

as a private student i know how hard it is looking a centre, it took me ages and i had to end up doing all my exam in june. Unfortunately, the place i did it in was in london with an entrance fee of £75 but the exam was £37.50

[Data]

(Original post by lou_90)
Hi everyone,

I'm looking for an examination centre in Birmingham, so far I have only found 2 centres that will accept me for AS Sociology and AS Psychology (Halesowen who have quoted me £150 per exam and a local school have quoted me £105 per exam) Unfortunately, this is money I don't have. I was also thinking about taking French and Law AS but now this seems impossible if each exam is £100-150. So my question is, does anyone know of any cheap exam centres in the West Midlands area (preferably in Birmingham) and has anyone ever received any financial help towards gaining a levels privately? (I am 22 and have never previously studied at level 3)

Many thanks for any advice offered

I believe there's a place in Rugby (on the main line to London from Birmingham) that charged £25-30 a unit (plus any actual costs if you need invigilation on your own.) - that was about 18 months ago. It's called Lawrence something.

[lou_90]

Thanks for the advice everyone, seems as though I will have to widen my search

Data - Thanks I will look into that

[16dan2life]

Woah, they're charging a lot

I'm sure the average price is £30-40 per unit not £100

I got a quote for a bio exam from "Al burhan" school in Birmingham(bio unit 1 and the ISA exam paper) for £40 odd quid

[dg2009]

(Original post by ViixKey)
as a private student i know how hard it is looking a centre, it took me ages and i had to end up doing all my exam in june. Unfortunately, the place i did it in was in london with an entrance fee of £75 but the exam was £37.50

I use that place or will be doing.

[ViixKey]

(Original post by dg2009)
I use that place or will be doing.

WAs it called pascals college

[dg2009]

(Original post by ViixKey)
WAs it called pascals college

Yes it is. Don't like the £75 per session fee though.

[PrincessMedic]

(Original post by dg2009)
Yes it is. Don't like the £75 per session fee though.

Hey, which subjects will you be doing?

[PrincessMedic]

(Original post by ViixKey)
WAs it called pascals college

Hey, I'll be doing my exams there as well(hopefully.) I don't understand the £75 fee though...do we pay it for each subject?! Or is it just for each series, i.e. January series and June series?

[Vicki-Marie]

I'm a private tutor of sociology and psychology and my students found local schools to sit their exams at only £25 per module - I live in Devon, though, so maybe prices are different further North! Lou 90: Let me know if you want advice re which exam board/topics to choose!

[dg2009]

(Original post by PrincessMedic)
Hey, which subjects will you be doing?

Probably none now.

I'm doing practicals (bio+chem) at Oakheights in Hounslow @ £65 each and written papers at Corelli College in SE London @ £25-40 each.

[ViixKey]

(Original post by PrincessMedic)
Hey, I'll be doing my exams there as well(hopefully.) I don't understand the £75 fee though...do we pay it for each subject?! Or is it just for each series, i.e. January series and June series?

No it is just a once fee, so if you want to sit something there again in June you don't need to pay the 75 again