[yda156]

I am currently in my second year of engineering, in Germany, but have realized I do not like it and would really like to study English literature in the UK.
I took IB at school, but I am not satisfied with my grades, and, more importantly, as I was sort of pressurized into studying engineering, I took all the wrong subjects.
I am now looking for a way to make amends, simply a way to get to study English at a good university- I'm rather helpless..
I wondered if it is possible to take A levels as a private candidate, having taken IB previously etc etc...
Anyone know anything? Also, does anyone have any alternative suggestions? What would you do?
Any help appreciated

[London271]

Originally Posted by yda156

I am currently in my second year of engineering, in Germany, but have realized I do not like it and would really like to study English literature in the UK.
I took IB at school, but I am not satisfied with my grades, and, more importantly, as I was sort of pressurized into studying engineering, I took all the wrong subjects.
I am now looking for a way to make amends, simply a way to get to study English at a good university- I'm rather helpless..
I wondered if it is possible to take A levels as a private candidate, having taken IB previously etc etc...
Anyone know anything? Also, does anyone have any alternative suggestions? What would you do?
Any help appreciated

Yeah you can take A Levels as a private candidate regardless of age/previous qualifications etc. The only thing that you must bear in mind is where you will take you're exams. If you are going to stay in Germany to take the A Levels you will be serverley restricted to taking you're A Levels with the Edexcel exam board and to be frank they are not good. It would be great if you could sit you're A Levels in the UK and go with AQA (exam board) they accept private candidates even if there is coursework and loads of schools/colleges/private colleges will accept you. I guessing you want to take 3 A Levels, you will want to take an A Level in English of some kind, you can take A Level ENglish Language & Lit (combined results in one A Level) you may want to take A Level English Language or A Level English Lit or both, that means you can have 2 A Levels in English, One of which will be lang and the other Lit and then choose another, what ever you're interested in.

I can't tell you what you should do, but I feel that you have already made up you're mind, you want to improve you're grades and do English and a UK University - Good For you! Do what you want to do. I did ok but not great in my GCSE's but throughout my A Levels I have taken 5 of them and they have all been A-B grades, I did it for myself. I think it would be good if you did the A Levels.

If you are going to take you're A Levels in the UK the following colleges are the best places to go to.

David Game College: http://www.davidgame-group.com/
Campbell Harris: http://www.campbellharris.co.uk/

David Game I know charge £60 per Unit (A Levels comprise of 4 Units and 6 for Science A Levels) I am not sure what Campbell charge but I am sure it will be around the same. Both are located in central London and it is very easy to get to via London Underground (subway).

Below is a link to the A Levels avaliable with AQA (GCE=General Certificate of Educaion, you will take the New GCE's the old ones are for people who took the exam in June 2009) If you click on the Subject you will find exam papers/specification etc.

A Levels with AQA: http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce.php

Good Luck, sorry about spelling/punctuation!

[JCM89]

You can take GCSEs and A-levels as a private candidate - the British Council offices in Germany act as exam centres for Edexcel so you wouldn't need to be in the UK. You may find that, if you are close to being 21, that universities are more flexible with the results you already have as at 21 you are considered under the mature students entrance requirements.

[cconstant]

Just a quick note on the previous post. I wouldn't do a mixed english lang&lit course, just do the straight english lit.
Language isn't respected at all by universities.

[simon12345]

Originally Posted by cconstant

Just a quick note on the previous post. I wouldn't do a mixed english lang&lit course, just do the straight english lit.
Language isn't respected at all by universities.

No, just no.

English Language is a perfectly fine A level which is accepted for the vast majority of university courses. It is more advisable to do English Literature, but ONLY if you can get the same or better grade in it as you can in Language. To say it isn't respected at all by universities is completely inaccurate.

The better universities for an English degree generally English Literature OR English Language & Literature combined.

[cconstant]

Originally Posted by simon12345

No, just no.

English Language is a perfectly fine A level which is accepted for the vast majority of university courses.

The better universities for an English degree generally English Literature OR English Language & Literature combined.

I never said that they weren't accepted by universities just that language isn't as respected as literature and the mixed course even less so.

I was told this by my aunt when choosing my A-levels and she used to be an English teacher (now a head teacher)

[simon12345]

Originally Posted by cconstant

I never said that they weren't accepted by universities just that language isn't as respected as literature and the mixed course even less so.

I was told this by my aunt when choosing my A-levels and she used to be an English teacher (now a head teacher)

You said it isn't respected by at all by universities which is completely inaccurate.

If the combined course is even less respected then why do the top universities for English require English Literature OR English Language & Literature at A level?, but do not accept Language?

Please note: I'm pretty sure universities outside of the 'elite' (which most people aren't even considering, which most of TSR seems to forget) accept Language for entry to an English degree. For university admissions it's better to get an A in English Language than it is to get a B in English Literature. They are two completely different A levels so for someone to instantly take Literature over Language just because it's 'more respected' is foolish if they are not good at it. It all depends on the strengths of the individual.

[cconstant]

Originally Posted by simon12345

You said it isn't respected by at all by universities which is completely inaccurate.

If the combined course is even less respected then why do the top universities for English require English Literature OR English Language & Literature at A level?, but do not accept Language?

Please note: I'm pretty sure universities outside of the 'elite' (which most people aren't even considering, which most of TSR seems to forget) accept Language for entry to an English degree. For university admissions it's better to get an A in English Language than it is to get a B in English Literature. They are two completely different A levels so for someone to instantly take Literature over Language just because it's 'more respected' is foolish if they are not good at it. It all depends on the strengths of the individual.

Yes your right I did get it the wrong ay round, the mixed course is slightly better that the language course.

An A is obviously better in language than a B in literature but if you want to study English at University then you probably shouldn't get a B in English Literature A-level.

[yda156]

thanks everyone for your replies!!
I will start looking into it all now....
thanks again