Can an 18 year old do a 1 year Fast track A level course w/out paying thousands?

I've just finished my BTEC level 3 Art and Design and now I feel like I should take A levels because many universities take preference to A levels other than BTEC.
I hold a place in Westminster University for Contemporary Media 2014 but Im not sure about it and I don't want to go for the course because its my only option and become a number on the drop out rates.
Taking A levels would open doors for more opportunities, I want to do a fast track 1 year A level course during my gap year on Film studies, psychology, critical thinking and maybe history but all I've found is private institutions that charge grands, I cant afford that.

Do you think its worth going for A levels in these circumstances?
What state sixth forms/colleges offer a fast track 1 year course?
If I cant find a fast track should I do the full 2 year A levels or should I forget it and go for Contemporary Media in Westminster in 2014? PLEASE HELP!

Reply 1

Vibenation

18

Original post by Junior Djau

I've just finished my BTEC level 3 Art and Design and now I feel like I should take A levels because many universities take preference to A levels other than BTEC.
I hold a place in Westminster University for Contemporary Media 2014 but Im not sure about it and I don't want to go for the course because its my only option and become a number on the drop out rates.
Taking A levels would open doors for more opportunities, I want to do a fast track 1 year A level course during my gap year on Film studies, psychology, critical thinking and maybe history but all I've found is private institutions that charge grands, I cant afford that.

Do you think its worth going for A levels in these circumstances?
What state sixth forms/colleges offer a fast track 1 year course?
If I cant find a fast track should I do the full 2 year A levels or should I forget it and go for Contemporary Media in Westminster in 2014? PLEASE HELP!

I ain't from london but I give you some advice. About your options.

1.

You can consider redoing A levels, if you start your full time course before your 19. Then you get to study for free.

2.

You could start a new BTEC course and then only do the first year off the BTEC and cash it in so you can go uni next year or just do the full 2 years if you don't mind the extra year. This means that you be getting 1 Alevel worth of UCAS points.

3.

There are a fast track Level 3 course called Access to Higher Education. Basically its decided for people over the age 19 years old and it lets you study 1 subject where you to gain certain amount of credits to pass the course.

4.

You could do your a levels for this year then do an access course but I doubt that you would want that. Honestly ask your college if you can do your A2 for next year and try and get better grades. That all I can give you in terms of advice.

5.

Also you can get into clearing, its a UCAS scheme that starts after A level result day which lets you apply for vacancies for university course. You can check on UCAS websites or newspaper and apply for uni places.

Reply 2

Junior Djau

OP

2

Original post by Vibenation

I ain't from london but I give you some advice. About your options.

1.

You can consider redoing A levels, if you start your full time course before your 19. Then you get to study for free.

2.

You could start a new BTEC course and then only do the first year off the BTEC and cash it in so you can go uni next year or just do the full 2 years if you don't mind the extra year. This means that you be getting 1 Alevel worth of UCAS points.

3.

There are a fast track Level 3 course called Access to Higher Education. Basically its decided for people over the age 19 years old and it lets you study 1 subject where you to gain certain amount of credits to pass the course.

4.

You could do your a levels for this year then do an access course but I doubt that you would want that. Honestly ask your college if you can do your A2 for next year and try and get better grades. That all I can give you in terms of advice.

5.

Also you can get into clearing, its a UCAS scheme that starts after A level result day which lets you apply for vacancies for university course. You can check on UCAS websites or newspaper and apply for uni places.

Thanks for the advice but the only thing I'm willing to do right now is 1 year Fast track A levels.
I have been told about access but I'm not interested in doing that, I would definitely not go for BTEC again either, much less for 2 years. If I were to do any thing for 2 years it would be my full 6 terms A levels but I really don't like the idea of finishing my A levels at the age of 20 and being in a class full of 16 year olds while I'm 18... This is why a 1 year Fast track would be more suitable for me.
Btw I'm not going for A levels to get a better grade, I've got a DMM on my BTEC. I'm going for it to better my chances in the future and in University course choices. My first option was Film and television on Westminster, I didn't get accepted but my application was transferred to the Contemporary Media department, which wasn't my first choice and got accepted there... That tells you how much respect my qualification imposes... :s-smilie:

Do you OR ANY ONE ELSE know about any sixth/forms colleges etc I should look in to?

Reply 3

Vibenation

18

Original post by Junior Djau

Thanks for the advice but the only thing I'm willing to do right now is 1 year Fast track A levels.
I have been told about access but I'm not interested in doing that, I would definitely not go for BTEC again either, much less for 2 years. If I were to do any thing for 2 years it would be my full 6 terms A levels but I really don't like the idea of finishing my A levels at the age of 20 and being in a class full of 16 year olds while I'm 18... This is why a 1 year Fast track would be more suitable for me.
Btw I'm not going for A levels to get a better grade, I've got a DMM on my BTEC. I'm going for it to better my chances in the future and in University course choices. My first option was Film and television on Westminster, I didn't get accepted but my application was transferred to the Contemporary Media department, which wasn't my first choice and got accepted there... That tells you how much respect my qualification imposes... :s-smilie:

Do you OR ANY ONE ELSE know about any sixth/forms colleges etc I should look in to?

Nope, I am not from London. You could google search for local colleges near you. Your choice any of the day.

Reply 4

Caroline Maskew

My daughter wants to do an A level in a year in Media and she won't be 19 till November 3rd this year 2016. After hopefully completing this she would then like to go to university. We seem to be having trouble finding anywhere in the London area even if she did Adult Education course in the evenings for a year as the Adult colleges won't take students if they are not 19 by August 31st? Please could we have some advice on what to do?

Reply 5

amaniia

5

Original post by Caroline Maskew

My daughter wants to do an A level in a year in Media and she won't be 19 till November 3rd this year 2016. After hopefully completing this she would then like to go to university. We seem to be having trouble finding anywhere in the London area even if she did Adult Education course in the evenings for a year as the Adult colleges won't take students if they are not 19 by August 31st? Please could we have some advice on what to do?

Hi
I know its been a long time since you posted this but I am in the same situation right now, did you manage to find anywhere?

Reply 6

Uni of Westminster1

7

Original post by amaniia

Hi
I know its been a long time since you posted this but I am in the same situation right now, did you manage to find anywhere?

Hi there

I've had a look on Google for 1 year intensive A Level courses and there doesn't seem to be many places that offer this type of course. There may be a couple of private colleges however they will be expensive.

You should look at Foundation courses instead which are 1 year in length. Which degree subject are you looking to study?

Kim
Course Enquiries Team
University of Westminster :smile:

Reply 7

amaniia

5

Original post by University of Westminster

Hi there

I've had a look on Google for 1 year intensive A Level courses and there doesn't seem to be many places that offer this type of course. There may be a couple of private colleges however they will be expensive.

You should look at Foundation courses instead which are 1 year in length. Which degree subject are you looking to study?

Kim
Course Enquiries Team
University of Westminster :smile:

Hi I can't really find anywhere that would take me on for a foundation year because I am not 19 until November, I am looking to study Law.
Thanks for responding

Reply 8

Wavyting

1

Original post by amaniia

Hi
I know its been a long time since you posted this but I am in the same situation right now, did you manage to find anywhere?

Hi am also in the same situation. I want to study law, however I want to fast track two a levels. Did you find anywhere last year?

Reply 9

amaniia

5

No I did not However I done voluntary work in the relevant field for a year and applied to uni with work experience and got in with a foundation year.

(Original post by Wavyting)Hi am also in the same situation. I want to study law, however I want to fast track two a levels. Did you find anywhere last year?

Reply 10

Wavyting

1

What course did you get on to if you don’t mind me asking?

Reply 11

amaniia

5

Original post by Wavyting

What course did you get on to if you don’t mind me asking?

I volunteered at a primary school for a year and in September I’m doing education culture and childhood at the university of sheffield.

Reply 12

Junior D

1

Original post by Junior Djau

I've just finished my BTEC level 3 Art and Design and now I feel like I should take A levels because many universities take preference to A levels other than BTEC.
I hold a place in Westminster University for Contemporary Media 2014 but Im not sure about it and I don't want to go for the course because its my only option and become a number on the drop out rates.
Taking A levels would open doors for more opportunities, I want to do a fast track 1 year A level course during my gap year on Film studies, psychology, critical thinking and maybe history but all I've found is private institutions that charge grands, I cant afford that.
Do you think its worth going for A levels in these circumstances?
What state sixth forms/colleges offer a fast track 1 year course?
If I cant find a fast track should I do the full 2 year A levels or should I forget it and go for Contemporary Media in Westminster in 2014? PLEASE HELP!

I remember making this post cause the government had extended the minimum residency for migrant applicants from 3 to 5 years and I had to take 2 years off because I had only lived in the Uk for 3 years. What a drag that was. I ended up dropping out of Queen Mary years later down the road…

Reply 13

J1pjzz

2

Original post by Junior D

I remember making this post cause the government had extended the minimum residency for migrant applicants from 3 to 5 years and I had to take 2 years off because I had only lived in the Uk for 3 years. What a drag that was. I ended up dropping out of Queen Mary years later down the road…

Hello, could I ask if you ever did get to do any Fast-Track A Levels, I know 11 years ago you could only do them at private colleges, however now you can do them online as well.

Can an 18 year old do a 1 year Fast track A level course w/out paying thousands?

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