How to Pass A-Level: 10 Important Tips

Schools and colleges will usually look for at least five GCSEs (either NECO or WAEC), between A-D pass. Depending on what you want to study at university, English, maths and sometimes Economics (e.g., if you want to study Business Management) are often the essential subjects to study in your GCSE. While credit in C is the popular minimum requirement, higher WAEC or NECO grades (i.e., As and Bs) will leave you in a better position to apply for an A-Level.

A-Levels is an exam taken after completing your compulsory secondary education (in the UK). As an international student, A-Level follows the completion of your secondary school education, including the WAEC and NECO exams. The WAEC and NECO exam are equivalent to the UK GCSE qualification. Generally, A-Level is similar to the Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post UTME).

You can study up to three subjects. These subjects are usually offered: English Language & Literature, French, Mathematics, Art, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Information Technology, History, Geography, Business, Psychology, Economics, Law, and Modern Foreign Languages.

A-Levels does not have any mandatory subjects. As a result, you have the freedom to choose the subjects that interests you the most or that you feel will be beneficial to your future studies or career. If you are considering a particular institution, you should check which subjects they offer in advance, as this can differ among schools.

The A-Level is typically taken between the ages of 16 and 18, at the end of your secondary education, but you can also take the exams as a mature student afterwards.

A-Levels are usually studied over two years. Institutions offering A-Level training will require you to dedicate up to two years of intensive study across several subjects of your choosing.

During the two years between 2016 and 2018, AS Levels were reformed and became separate qualifications. AS Levels is equivalent to the first year of a 2-year A Level course. However, most UK universities do not accept AS Levels alone for undergraduate degree admission.

To understand how to pass A-Levels, note that exams are now the primary way A-Levels are assessed, which occur at the end of your second year. At the end of your first year, i.e., the AS Level, you will still take exams, but these won’t contribute to your final A-Level grades.

The subjects that are exceptions to this are – art and design, which requires coursework throughout the year; chemistry, biology, and physics, which have a practical element.

The tuition fee for an A-level course (2 years duration) may cost around £5,750 – £28,000 per year, depending on the location of the school or college. You should also consider the living expenses as separate from the fees above. Locations like Oxford, Cambridge, and London are expensive, whereas places like Nottingham, Hull, Newcastle etc. are more affordable. You may be able eligible to access scholarships, if available.

Based on our expert analysis, these ten schools are among the best in the UK for A-Level training:
1. Westminster School
2. Oxford International College
3. Cardiff Sixth Form College
4. Brighton College
5. Concord College
6. Ruthin School City of London
7. Canford School
8. Bellerbys College Cambridge
9. Wellington College
10. Marlborough College
11. Bishop’s Stortford College
12. Freemen’s School

There are many schools and colleges in Nigeria that are accredited to offer A-Level training. The Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE) has several schools and centres in Nigeria where you can enrol for A-Level. Exams can also be taken in these schools.