The Student Room Group

Can I still get into universities for an LLB with A/Ls taken as a private candidate?

I took my AS Levels as a private candidate (I didn't attend school and self-studied my way through the syllabus at home). Therefore, my latest school record dates back to when I went to school before sitting my AS Levels, over a year ago. I left school as I was moving countries and ended up sitting for the exam privately in the country I moved to. However, I was only a few months into graduating from that school. I also have done multiple extracurriculars throughout the multiple schools I have been to (I have been in 3 schools in 12 years), However, I do not have a lot of outstanding achievements in these. I am sitting my A2 Levels in about 6 weeks and I am working to achieve A*A*B, the lowest AAC.
I take three A Levels: Law, Psychology and Biology, and I received an A(90), B(79) and D(58) for my AS in that order. I also have an outstanding achiever award for getting the highest grades in the country for my Law AS Level.
However, with the low Biology result, and the extra work I need to put in to make up for it, I have been stressed out over whether I can even get into a good university no matter how good my results are if I do not have a school record or strong extracurriculars to back me up. The reason I didn't go to school here is because there weren't any Cambridge schools I could afford to get into in my area, and most schools did the local syllabus.
However, I do plan on taking a gap year to intern at a law firm and additionally also get some external volunteer work done when I go back to my home country next year. However, I also have the option to go to one of the local schools and get a school record by taking their local syllabus on the side - this is a lot of work, but I am willing to work for it if necessary. As for my old school records, they are not in depth and there are a lot of gaps I can't fill in my record as that was the way in my home country.
I apologize for blurting everything I have on my head (especially the unnecessary bits) but I do wonder what would be useful for me to focus on and whether simply focusing on my A Levels would be enough for now to apply for universities. I am looking to apply to any universities in England, Australia and New Zealand.
Original post by Hazel_Wallflower
I took my AS Levels as a private candidate (I didn't attend school and self-studied my way through the syllabus at home). Therefore, my latest school record dates back to when I went to school before sitting my AS Levels, over a year ago. I left school as I was moving countries and ended up sitting for the exam privately in the country I moved to. However, I was only a few months into graduating from that school. I also have done multiple extracurriculars throughout the multiple schools I have been to (I have been in 3 schools in 12 years), However, I do not have a lot of outstanding achievements in these. I am sitting my A2 Levels in about 6 weeks and I am working to achieve A*A*B, the lowest AAC.
I take three A Levels: Law, Psychology and Biology, and I received an A(90), B(79) and D(58) for my AS in that order. I also have an outstanding achiever award for getting the highest grades in the country for my Law AS Level.
However, with the low Biology result, and the extra work I need to put in to make up for it, I have been stressed out over whether I can even get into a good university no matter how good my results are if I do not have a school record or strong extracurriculars to back me up. The reason I didn't go to school here is because there weren't any Cambridge schools I could afford to get into in my area, and most schools did the local syllabus.
However, I do plan on taking a gap year to intern at a law firm and additionally also get some external volunteer work done when I go back to my home country next year. However, I also have the option to go to one of the local schools and get a school record by taking their local syllabus on the side - this is a lot of work, but I am willing to work for it if necessary. As for my old school records, they are not in depth and there are a lot of gaps I can't fill in my record as that was the way in my home country.
I apologize for blurting everything I have on my head (especially the unnecessary bits) but I do wonder what would be useful for me to focus on and whether simply focusing on my A Levels would be enough for now to apply for universities. I am looking to apply to any universities in England, Australia and New Zealand.

The answer to the question in the thread title ("Can I still get into universities for an LLB with A/Ls taken as a private candidate?" is yes. Universities (in the UK) don't care if you take them privately.

As you'll be taking a gap year, you don't have the issue of predicted grades (which can be a problem for those taking their exams privately).

There are two challenges you may face:
When you apply to university (in the UK at least) you'll be asked to provide the details of a referee - someone who can write a reference describing your academic background and your suitability for the course. As you've switched schools so much, and are taking your exams privately, that might be tricky. Do you know who you would use?
That Biology grade. :frown:

Do you have any particular target universities in mind?

Quick Reply