A Level online course information


Overview

Information about our A Level courses

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we offer a wide range of online A Level courses for homeschooling students. All our courses are designed to support independent learning and help your child grow in confidence and knowledge. 

We offer AS and A Level courses through the Cambridge, Edexcel and Edexcel International exam boards. In the UK, most students take three A Level subjects over two years. In the first year, students study at AS Level, progressing to full A Level in the second year. Studying at both levels leads to a full A Level qualification, however we do offer some standalone AS Level qualifications through Edexcel. Some students may choose an extra AS or a fourth A Level, especially for more competitive courses.   

When thinking about university, it’s a good idea to choose subjects that match the entry requirements or suggestions for the course your child is interested in. You can find more details on the UCAS website

Exams 

  • Cambridge exams take place in May/June and October/November worldwide, with an extra March session for some subjects in India.
  • Edexcel UK exams are available in May/June, both in the UK and internationally.
  • Edexcel International exams are held in January, May/June, and October, but are not available to students based in the UK. 
An older female student working at her desk with her laptop and reading notes she is making.

Importance of A Level education

Help your child unleash their potential with a world-class online A Level education 

As your child moves from GCSE Level to A Level, you might be wondering what changes this may bring. A Levels involve the most independent learning out of all the study levels, which means they also require greater critical thinking and time-management skills, so it’s important that your child feels ready and knows they can ask for support when needed. 

We recommend choosing subjects your child enjoys, feels confident in and believes they can do well in. Some university courses ask for certain A Level subjects, so it’s important to be confident in your choices. If a subject doesn’t feel like the right fit, it might be worth thinking about whether the course or career path is the best one for your child. 

To enrol on an A Level course with Wolsey Hall Oxford, your child will need at least a Grade C or 4 in both English and Maths at GCSE Level. These grades are also often needed for university entry. 

Why choose us over other UK sixth form colleges

Wolsey Hall Oxford is a great choice for families looking for a personalised, world-class online education. Our flexible approach encourages independent learning at A Level, a valuable skill for university and beyond. With over a century of experience, we've helped thousands of students achieve their academic ambitions whilst learning from home.  

We don’t offer any live lessons, fixed timetables or crowded classrooms, meaning your child is free to create a study schedule that works for them - working through their courses at their own pace, in their own way, and at times when they feel most focused. 

During their A Level studies, your child will receive feedback from experienced subject Tutors and ongoing guidance from a dedicated Student Progress Manager (SPM). 

If your child is thinking about university, our University Advice Service can provide support with choosing the right A Level subjects, exploring university options in the UK or abroad, and managing applications, interviews, personal statements and the UK clearing process if needed. For the best support, we suggest contacting our University Advisor early to help students choose the right courses and plan their future. 

This flexible structure gives students the opportunity to enjoy a more personalised, balanced and engaging learning experience — whether they need extra support in a particular subject, more stimulation to stretch their abilities, or more time to pursue commitments outside their education. 

Here’s how our approach compares with a typical UK A level secondary school or sixth form college:
UK Sixth Form colleges
Wolsey Hall Oxford
Students follow a fixed timetable with set lessons each day.  Students have the flexibility to create a schedule that suits their routine and learning pace. 
Learning takes place in a classroom setting, with one teacher leading a group of students.  Learning is guided independently at home, with detailed Tutor feedback and support from a dedicated Student Progress Manager. 
Most students take three A Level subjects over two years, usually selected from a limited choice based on the school’s timetable.  Your child can choose the number and combination of AS or A Level courses that best match their strengths, interests and future plans - with no timetable restrictions. 
All students follow the same academic calendar, progressing at the same pace.  Your child can study at their own pace - with 12 months to complete an AS Level and up to 24 months for a full A Level, depending on their needs and availability. 
Progress is measured by classroom assessments and national tests.  Progress is tracked through Tutor-marked assignments and internal assessments. Past papers are included in the course materials, and students have the option to complete a mock exam for personalised Tutor feedback (for an additional fee). This all helps prepare them for their final A Level exams, which are taken externally at an approved exam centre. 
One-size-fits-all approach.  Personalised learning based on your child’s stage, interests, and confidence in each subject. 

 

What’s included in our A Level courses

Our online A Level courses combine high-quality resources with expert academic support, giving students the tools to study independently, explore subjects in depth, and prepare with confidence for their final exams. 


Hours of study

Hours of study

Our AS courses take approximately 250 hours of study, plus the time needed for preparation of each assignment (8-12 assignments per subject) and revision at the end of each course. 

Our full A level courses take approximately 500 hours of study, plus the time needed for preparation of each assignment (16-20 assignments per subject) and revision at the end of each course. 

The total time may vary depending on the student’s ability, organisational skills and the support at home. 

Study skills sessions can be booked for those students who need a bit of extra help organising and structuring their studies. See our Learning Support services. 

We provide a handy study hours calculator to families to work out how many hours per week their child will need to study. The calculator takes into account holidays and exam dates. 

GCSE grade requirements for our A Level courses

As A Level is an advanced level of study, you’ll need to have achieved a certain grade in particular GCSE Level subjects to be accepted onto many of our courses at this level. All of our A Level courses require you to at least have a GCSE/IGCSE™ grade C or 4 in both English and Maths, and you’ll also need this to apply for most university courses too.  

You can find specific entry requirements for all our A Level courses in the table below.

A Level course
GCSE / IGCSE™ grade requirement 
Biology Biology (B or 6) or Co-ordinated Science (Extended) (BB), Maths (B or 6), English Language (C or 4). Chemistry (B or 6) is strongly recommended.
Business English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
Chemistry Chemistry (B or 6) or Co-ordinated Science (Extended) BB, Maths (B or 6), English Language (C or 4)
Classical Studies English Literature (B or 6) or History (B or 6), English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
Computer Science Maths (B or 6) and English Language (C or 4). Computer Science is strongly recommended (C or 5)
Economics English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
AS English General Paper First Language English Language (C or 4) or Second Language English Language (B or 6), Maths (C or 4)
English Language English Language (A or 7), Maths (C or 4)
English Literature English Literature (B or 6), English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
Further Maths A Level Maths (A) or to have completed the majority of the course and be predicted an A grade. English Language (C or 4)
Geography Geography (B or 6) or Environmental Management (B or 6), English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
History History (B or 6), English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
History of Art English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
Maths Maths (A or 7), English Language (C or 4)
Physics Physics (B or 6) or Co-ordinated Science (Extended) BB / Maths (B or 6) / English Language (C or 4). It’s recommended that you study A level Maths alongside this course
Politics English Language (B or 6) and Maths (C or 4) plus either English Literature (B or 6) or History (B or 6)
Psychology English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
Sociology English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)
AS Thinking Skills English Language (C or 4), Maths (C or 4)

Extracurricular activities

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we know that learning isn’t just about academics. It’s also about helping students feel connected, confident, and inspired. 

With access to their own dedicated Secondary Community website, students can make new friends and share their interests and talents with others just like them, around the world – as well as joining fun extracurricular clubs to pursue their interests. 

These include clubs focused on chess, cookery, debating and more, which all build transferable skills that will benefit students throughout their education and beyond. They’ll also be able to take part in regular student competitions. 

Whether a student is naturally outgoing or prefers to take their time socially, these creative spaces offer opportunities to connect, collaborate and feel part of a global learning community.  

Your role as an A Level parent

Your child will receive expert academic and pastoral support throughout their A Level studies with Wolsey Hall Oxford. As a parent or guardian, your role may involve helping them set up a study schedule that works around their subjects, commitments and learning pace. 

We also encourage you to stay connected with our wider parent community. Our private Facebook group for parents of A Level students offers a welcoming space to ask questions, share experiences and support one another throughout the journey.

Specialist equipment needed

 A Level course
Equipment Required
Biology Scientific Calculator
Chemistry Scientific Calculator
Computer Science Computer
Further Maths Non-Programmable Scientific Calculator
Geography Scientific Calculator
Maths Non-Programmable Scientific Calculator
Physics Scientific Calculator
Person calculating figures on a printed statement using a large calculator.

Fees

How much do A Level courses cost?

Our flexible, student-led approach gives you more choice over your child’s education - and what you pay for it. You can build a personalised course bundle based on their goals, strengths and future plans, whether you're looking for a full A Level study programme or just one or two subjects to complement other learning. 

We also offer flexible payment plans to help you spread the cost. 

For full details, visit our Course Fees page. If you’d like help putting together the right bundle of subjects, our friendly Admissions team is always happy to advise. 

Use our interactive fee calculator

Learn more about our fees

 

What’s your next step?

Our Learning Advisors are here to help and are happy to talk about how we can support your child to get the best start.

You can reach us by phone, email or live chat, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (UK time).

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