Advantages of Studying A-levels in the UK

In summary, there are many advantages in studying for your A-levels in the UK. They include the following:

  1. Save one year, start university studies one year earlier and earn one more year of income in your life time.
  2. Better chance of getting 3 or 4 As because:
    • Small class size averaging 9-15 students enables teachers to give personal attention to all students.
    • Conducive and yet competitive environment which encourages students to give of their best.
    • Supervised study periods daily which ensures that all work is done up to date.
    • Weekly tests, giving students not only regular practice in tackling examination questions but also a familiar setting so that the final examinations are no different or more threatening than the weekly tests.
    • Modular A-level system with option to re-take AS units – no need to remember 2 years’ work and tow main exams lighten exam stress.
    • Fewer subjects – concentrate only on the 4 main subjects
    • AS units are easier and yet carry equal weights in the overall marks/grades
  3. Better chance of getting into medical and law schools because:-
    • The application process favours UK-based students as you are already in the UK and it is easier for Admission Tutors to call you for interviews.
    • UK students have opportunities to visit universities’ Open House.
    • UK students are more confident and are more familiar with the British accent, British culture, way of life, etc…
    • For medical and law students, there are opportunities to attend special workshops such as Medlink for medicine and seminars aimed giving students a taste of life in a medical/law school and learning simple medical techniques such as first aid, taking blood pressures, taking blood samples, etc… and also to attend other special training course, e.g. to learn interview techniques.
    • Some schools/colleges have a very good track record of having sent many excellent students to medical/law schools and Admission Tutors are favourably inclined towards students from these colleges.
  4. Better chance of getting into Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL and other top universities for the same reasons as  pointed out in point (3) above.
  5. Less stress, as there is no need to do General Paper, second language, H3 papers, Project and CCAs.
  6. More freedom to choose subjects, with more subjects to choose from and the chance to do triple sciences, even if not done in Secondary 4.
  7. Exposure to new ways of teaching/learning and getting weaned from rote learning, thus preparing students better for university education.
  8. Learn to be independent, and to mature faster.
  9. Enjoy living in a new country and new culture.
  10. Build up an international network, an increasingly important asset in the age of globalisation.