Shall I do distance learning or self study Chem/Bio A-levels??

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spate88

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Hey guys, I am planning to do medicine abroad in 2018 (oct) and want to sit the As & A-level Chemistry and Biology exams in May/June 2018. I need some advice - shall I do the distance learning program with OpenStudyCollege (fast track) OR shall I self study??

I have a degree in Bsc Business and Politics, and a-levels in English, History & Politics - just want to know if it is really worth spending all the money on a fast track course OR study myself and sit the exams & practicals at the centres.

Also practicals - any others in London that people have used??

Thanks!

999tigger

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(Original post by spate88)
Hey guys, I am planning to do medicine abroad in 2018 (oct) and want to sit the As & A-level Chemistry and Biology exams in May/June 2018. I need some advice - shall I do the distance learning program with OpenStudyCollege (fast track) OR shall I self study??

I have a degree in Bsc Business and Politics, and a-levels in English, History & Politics - just want to know if it is really worth spending all the money on a fast track course OR study myself and sit the exams & practicals at the centres.

Also practicals - any others in London that people have used??

Thanks!

It depends what grades you want and how clever you are. Also depends how much money you have. Distance learning will at least offer you materials and some support. You also need to find somewhere who will accept you for practicals which can be challenging and expensive.

Compost

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You just need to sit the A level exams. There is no need to do AS - and in fact I think it isn't allowed to do them in the same season as A level. If you're applying for medicine then you will need to complete the 12 assessed practicals so look to see if a distance learning course provides any help with this.

spate88

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Hmm I need to look into sitting both As and A level then - distance learning site said it was allowed. As for the practicals will look into this! Thanks guys

Compost

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(Original post by spate88)
Hmm I need to look into sitting both As and A level then - distance learning site said it was allowed. As for the practicals will look into this! Thanks guys

Don't take the AS exams. It would be a complete waste of money as the system has changed since you took your first A levels and they are not necessary. Just do A level exams.

spate88

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Thank you!! also checked the distance learning program and it does not include the practicals, so I will find a centre to sit the 12 assessments - I did notice though that these are not marked ... they don't contribute the final A level mark but do support you in answering certain questions in the exam.

Compost

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(Original post by spate88)
Thank you!! also checked the distance learning program and it does not include the practicals, so I will find a centre to sit the 12 assessments - I did notice though that these are not marked ... they don't contribute the final A level mark but do support you in answering certain questions in the exam.

There are some private candidates who don't take them as they are so expensive to do but many courses make a pass in them a condition of the offer and Medicine is more likely than most to do this.

Parabrad

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Be realistic, if you have the money to spend on the practicals to gain accreditation in the practical endorsement's for both A levels, you might as well spend the money on the resources and tutor support and go distant learning with OSC, they're good and the prices are fair. As far as I know, no distant learning providers include the practicals in their service.

Whether or not you decide to do that, you'll probably need the pass in the practical endorsement for medicine (I say probably as it is abroad, if within the UK, then definitely), so you could be spending upwards of a grand to sit the practicals and exams at a center anyway.

spate88

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True!! I want to sit the practicals regardless, just need to find a centre now and also enquire about the costs of sitting the exams - have accounted for atleast 1k in total for all this :/ - it will be worth it though!

Still contemplating on the distance learning - it excludes the assessments/exams but does provide a tutor online - https://www.ukopencollege.co.uk/a-le...es-p-2101.html. Its expensive! 799.

Thanks guys for all the advice!

spate88

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True! I want to sit the practicals regardless - Just need to find a centre now!. As for the university requirements they don't highlight this - planning to go to either Bulgaria or Czech Republic who do not state this is a requirement. Considering the OSC route - its coming up to £800 and this excludes the assessment/exams - just a tutor online.

thanks for all the advice guys!