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GCSE Photography out of school?

Hello everyone! I would really like to do Photography at A-Level and my school doesn’t offer GCSE Photography at school.

For this, I would like to do it out of school through a tutor. I have found many tutors for the subject, but the Exam Centres are the problems.

I can’t find any exam centre that does GCSE Photography, this is why I am turning to you guys for help.

Any exam centres or anything else for my plan would be amazing! Thank you.
Original post
by HarrisonList
Hello everyone! I would really like to do Photography at A-Level and my school doesn’t offer GCSE Photography at school.

For this, I would like to do it out of school through a tutor. I have found many tutors for the subject, but the Exam Centres are the problems.

I can’t find any exam centre that does GCSE Photography, this is why I am turning to you guys for help.

Any exam centres or anything else for my plan would be amazing! Thank you.

I very much doubt that you'll find one, unfortunately. :frown:

Studying for a qualification independently works well when it's assessed via exams, because exam centres already have a room of students (their own students) sitting in a hall with an invigilator. To add a additional table and chair, and have you sit the exam alongside their own students, is easy. When there's a significant coursework element involved, things become a lot more complicated.

The specification for AQA's A-level Art and Design (Photography) 7206 include a small paragraph at the end which says:

"6.8 Private candidates
These specifications are not available to private candidates." (source)

I haven't checked the specification from other A level exam boards, but I wouldn't be surprised if they says the same thing. Sorry. :frown:

Reply 2

Original post
by DataVenia
I very much doubt that you'll find one, unfortunately. :frown:
Studying for a qualification independently works well when it's assessed via exams, because exam centres already have a room of students (their own students) sitting in a hall with an invigilator. To add a additional table and chair, and have you sit the exam alongside their own students, is easy. When there's a significant coursework element involved, things become a lot more complicated.
The specification for AQA's A-level Art and Design (Photography) 7206 include a small paragraph at the end which says:
"6.8 Private candidates
These specifications are not available to private candidates." (source)
I haven't checked the specification from other A level exam boards, but I wouldn't be surprised if they says the same thing. Sorry. :frown:


Ahh that sucks. Thank you anyway!

Reply 3

Original post
by HarrisonList
Hello everyone! I would really like to do Photography at A-Level and my school doesn’t offer GCSE Photography at school.
For this, I would like to do it out of school through a tutor. I have found many tutors for the subject, but the Exam Centres are the problems.
I can’t find any exam centre that does GCSE Photography, this is why I am turning to you guys for help.
Any exam centres or anything else for my plan would be amazing! Thank you.

Hii, i am currently doing A-level Photography but i didn't study it at GCSE. I think that if you have a strong creative background as well as a portfolio you can get in hopefully. I did Graphic Communication and Art at GCSE and got 9s, they still let me in with my portfolio. But good luck!
(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 4

Original post
by used-infant
Hii, i am currently doing A-level Photography but i didn't study it at GCSE. I think that if you have a strong creative background as well as a portfolio you can get in hopefully. I did Graphic Communication and Art at GCSE and got 9s, they still let me in with my portfolio. But good luck!


Ahh alright. I am doing RMT for definite which is a D&T subject. Do you think that would be good as well as doing some photography as a hobby?

If it is needed the subjects I am doing are: Higher in all Core Subjects, Triple Sci, French, Sociology, RE and RMT.

I am not too good at art or graphics so RMT is my ADT option.

Reply 5

Original post
by HarrisonList
Ahh alright. I am doing RMT for definite which is a D&T subject. Do you think that would be good as well as doing some photography as a hobby?
If it is needed the subjects I am doing are: Higher in all Core Subjects, Triple Sci, French, Sociology, RE and RMT.
I am not too good at art or graphics so RMT is my ADT option.

RMT should be fine since in -level photography, there are many D&T skills too.

my friends did 3D design alone and still got into the course. I definitely recommend taking up photography up as a hobby just so you have relevant work to the course too!

The subjects your doing now are alright too, as long as you pass your English Language and Maths, there should be many colleges or sixth forms that accept you.

Reply 6

Original post
by used-infant
RMT should be fine since in -level photography, there are many D&T skills too.
my friends did 3D design alone and still got into the course. I definitely recommend taking up photography up as a hobby just so you have relevant work to the course too!
The subjects your doing now are alright too, as long as you pass your English Language and Maths, there should be many colleges or sixth forms that accept you.


Oh brilliant! That’s a big relief. I thought I might had to switch RMT for a second. Thank you for your help!

Reply 7

Original post
by HarrisonList
Oh brilliant! That’s a big relief. I thought I might had to switch RMT for a second. Thank you for your help!

Your welcome!! I also recommend having sketches of either your photoshoot planning or even the sketches or plans you do in RMT for your portfolio. It's a good way to show your raw thinking.

I really hope you find and get accepted into the course. Good luck!!

Reply 8

Original post
by used-infant
Your welcome!! I also recommend having sketches of either your photoshoot planning or even the sketches or plans you do in RMT for your portfolio. It's a good way to show your raw thinking.
I really hope you find and get accepted into the course. Good luck!!


Thank you I will save your comments

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