The Student Room Group

GSCE and A-Levels as a foreigner

Hello! I'm 25, I've just moved to the UK from Brazil and I'm still a bit lost.
I want to start studying again - maybe in the areas of nursing or psychology - and I'm confused on how to start. Schools in Brazil are different and I don't think my high school diploma will be enough to guarantee me a spot in a university here. I don't know if I need a GSCE, A-level diploma, or just Academic IELTS... Also, I don't understand how universities work here. Can I get my GCSEs or A-levels online, as in distance learning?

Does anybody have some advice?

Ps: I have EU citizenship, so I don't need a student visa or anything.
Original post by BiaWrites
Hello! I'm 25, I've just moved to the UK from Brazil and I'm still a bit lost.
I want to start studying again - maybe in the areas of nursing or psychology - and I'm confused on how to start. Schools in Brazil are different and I don't think my high school diploma will be enough to guarantee me a spot in a university here. I don't know if I need a GSCE, A-level diploma, or just Academic IELTS... Also, I don't understand how universities work here. Can I get my GCSEs or A-levels online, as in distance learning?

Does anybody have some advice?

Ps: I have EU citizenship, so I don't need a student visa or anything.

In most cases GCSE and A levels are taken whilst at school
In years 10+11 (15-16) and then A levels in years 12-13 (17-18), these are at secondary school.
Obviously you are too old and you would need to use one of the other methods.
Secondary Education as above is free to all till 19.

1. FE College.
2. Self taught.
3. Online taught.
4. Access course which is a bridging qualification that can get you into uni and takes one year.

The issue you have is that from Brazil you have no residence in the EU. EU citizens in the UK get access to home fees if they have EU nationality and have spent 3 years residing in the EU. Passport alone is not enough. You would thus be denied access to student finance, which requires 3 years residence or 5 years if you want fees as well.

This would also apply to finance for a degree. I also assume you dont have one already?

On top of that the UK is leaving the EU, so unless a deal says otherwise there will be no right to access UK fees and student loans after 2020 unless theres a deal.
This means you could be denied opportunity to access UK student finance and will be required to pay international fees i.e no better than you are now. Have to hope they agree something.
Original post by BiaWrites
Hello! I'm 25, I've just moved to the UK from Brazil and I'm still a bit lost.
I want to start studying again - maybe in the areas of nursing or psychology - and I'm confused on how to start. Schools in Brazil are different and I don't think my high school diploma will be enough to guarantee me a spot in a university here. I don't know if I need a GSCE, A-level diploma, or just Academic IELTS... Also, I don't understand how universities work here. Can I get my GCSEs or A-levels online, as in distance learning?

Does anybody have some advice?

Ps: I have EU citizenship, so I don't need a student visa or anything.

Hi @BiaWrites,

Is the High School qualification that you have the "Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio"? If so that is equivalent to AS level and therefore will be accepted by some Universities and private colleges for a foundation year - example of Bradford's entry requirements here: Brazil page. A foundation year is an access course and there are many international foundation years available specifically designed for international students who don't have the right level of qualification to entry directly into a degree programme. You will also need an English language qualification such as an IELTS.

You also need to consider the information that @999tigger has given you in their reply regarding the finance.

I hope this helps,

Shelley
Reply 3
Original post by 999tigger
In most cases GCSE and A levels are taken whilst at school
In years 10+11 (15-16) and then A levels in years 12-13 (17-18), these are at secondary school.
Obviously you are too old and you would need to use one of the other methods.
Secondary Education as above is free to all till 19.

1. FE College.
2. Self taught.
3. Online taught.
4. Access course which is a bridging qualification that can get you into uni and takes one year.

The issue you have is that from Brazil you have no residence in the EU. EU citizens in the UK get access to home fees if they have EU nationality and have spent 3 years residing in the EU. Passport alone is not enough. You would thus be denied access to student finance, which requires 3 years residence or 5 years if you want fees as well.

This would also apply to finance for a degree. I also assume you dont have one already?

On top of that the UK is leaving the EU, so unless a deal says otherwise there will be no right to access UK fees and student loans after 2020 unless theres a deal.
This means you could be denied opportunity to access UK student finance and will be required to pay international fees i.e no better than you are now. Have to hope they agree something.

Ah, that answers most of the things I was confused at. I'll do a bit of research, otherwise, I'll wait for the decision on the whole Brexit thing. Thank you so much!
Reply 4
Original post by University of Bradford International
Hi @BiaWrites,

Is the High School qualification that you have the "Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio"? If so that is equivalent to AS level and therefore will be accepted by some Universities and private colleges for a foundation year - example of Bradford's entry requirements here: Brazil page. A foundation year is an access course and there are many international foundation years available specifically designed for international students who don't have the right level of qualification to entry directly into a degree programme. You will also need an English language qualification such as an IELTS.

You also need to consider the information that @999tigger has given you in their reply regarding the finance.

I hope this helps,

Shelley

That's great to know! Thank you so much! I'll definitely check it out! :smile:
Original post by BiaWrites
Ah, that answers most of the things I was confused at. I'll do a bit of research, otherwise, I'll wait for the decision on the whole Brexit thing. Thank you so much!

The question you asked is complicated because there are so many variables.
If you aim is university in the UK, then I suggest you take a long term view.
Stay in the UK. Get a job etc.
If already in the UK before Brexit will mean you are in a better position than living outside.
You can pay for level 3 or self teach them.

Depending on Brexit you may still have a chance of getting uni fees eventually but you may have to live here 3-5 years.
Hello BiaWrites,

I can offer you some guidelines.

Universities you're applying to:
Your grades:
Which course?
https://sacu-student.com/?page_id=5203
https://university.which.co.uk/a-level-explorer
Which career?
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-match
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree
Career profiles
https://www.planitplus.net/JobProfiles?letter=A
https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-options/job-profiles
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers

You can also call and/or email the universities you consider. If you do, tell them about your grades and any experience you possess.

This link may also help you. It'll analyse your grades and demonstrate the UK equivalence.
https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/brazil
If you're considering distance learning, I have a link to the Open University.
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/ppcgeneric?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=BAU_England_-_Generics_-_Exact&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=onl04y_Z15&utm_term=[distance_learning]&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoqDtBRD-ARIsAL4pviCxc79cyNQDyIMCseq0QJV2Xt2WcJsEplM8BDtDHzOEP07RP8YhdJwaAuIKEALw_wcB

Hope this helps and do feel free to let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,
Jon
Reply 7
Original post by 999tigger
The question you asked is complicated because there are so many variables.
If you aim is university in the UK, then I suggest you take a long term view.
Stay in the UK. Get a job etc.
If already in the UK before Brexit will mean you are in a better position than living outside.
You can pay for level 3 or self teach them.

Depending on Brexit you may still have a chance of getting uni fees eventually but you may have to live here 3-5 years.

Yeah, I'll definitely think about this, but so far I love living here, so I guess I'll wait a bit. Thank you so much for all the advice!
Reply 8
Original post by De Montfort University
Hello BiaWrites,

I can offer you some guidelines.

Universities you're applying to:
Your grades:
Which course?
https://sacu-student.com/?page_id=5203
https://university.which.co.uk/a-level-explorer
Which career?
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-match
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree
Career profiles
https://www.planitplus.net/JobProfiles?letter=A
https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-options/job-profiles
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers

You can also call and/or email the universities you consider. If you do, tell them about your grades and any experience you possess.

This link may also help you. It'll analyse your grades and demonstrate the UK equivalence.
https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/brazil
If you're considering distance learning, I have a link to the Open University.
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/ppcgeneric?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=BAU_England_-_Generics_-_Exact&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=onl04y_Z15&utm_term=[distance_learning]&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoqDtBRD-ARIsAL4pviCxc79cyNQDyIMCseq0QJV2Xt2WcJsEplM8BDtDHzOEP07RP8YhdJwaAuIKEALw_wcB

Hope this helps and do feel free to let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,
Jon

Thank you! That seems really interesting, I'll have a look at it!! :biggrin:
Original post by De Montfort University
Hello BiaWrites,

I can offer you some guidelines.

Universities you're applying to:
Your grades:
Which course?
https://sacu-student.com/?page_id=5203
https://university.which.co.uk/a-level-explorer
Which career?
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-match
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree
Career profiles
https://www.planitplus.net/JobProfiles?letter=A
https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-options/job-profiles
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers

You can also call and/or email the universities you consider. If you do, tell them about your grades and any experience you possess.

This link may also help you. It'll analyse your grades and demonstrate the UK equivalence.
https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/brazil
If you're considering distance learning, I have a link to the Open University.
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/ppcgeneric?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=BAU_England_-_Generics_-_Exact&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=onl04y_Z15&utm_term=[distance_learning]&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoqDtBRD-ARIsAL4pviCxc79cyNQDyIMCseq0QJV2Xt2WcJsEplM8BDtDHzOEP07RP8YhdJwaAuIKEALw_wcB

Hope this helps and do feel free to let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,
Jon

Dude its very rude to just cut and paste my posts and pass them off as your own.

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