{"id":22923,"date":"2020-07-24T14:59:09","date_gmt":"2020-07-24T13:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stonebridge-blog.positive-dedicated.net\/?p=22923"},"modified":"2021-12-06T11:55:58","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T11:55:58","slug":"a-levels-or-diploma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/a-levels\/a-levels-or-diploma\/","title":{"rendered":"A Levels or Diploma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nowadays it\u2019s compulsory to carry on with your education in some form after completing you GCSEs. Most students opt to do A Levels or an apprenticeship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although before 2013 you could leave school and venture into the big bad world as young as 16 years old. At which point some of us wanted nothing more than to leave those dreary classrooms and annoying peers behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, now that you\u2019re older and wiser you might find you\u2019d like to get back into education. And it\u2019s never too late to start. Whether it\u2019s to improve your chances of getting that promotion or go to university to start an exciting new career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can learn at any time in your life to reach your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, as an adult you\u2019re able to tailor your learning experience to suit you and your needs. You can really think about what it is you like and make an informed decision on what\u2019s best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s plenty of courses out there but two of the most common options are A Levels or the Access to Higher Education Diplomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an A Level?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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An A Level (short for Advanced Level) is an internationally recognised qualification studied in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students between the ages of 16-19 study A Levels as the next step after completing their GCSEs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have been the standard school-leavers qualification since 1951 and is the more traditional route into higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Levels are regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations (Ofqual<\/a>) who are non-ministerial government agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ofqual ensure that all providers, online or bricks and mortar, offering A Levels meet the standard expected of them. In short, you\u2019ll get the same qualification no matter how you take it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does it work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Levels<\/a> cover a specific topic in considerable depth, improving your level of understanding on the subject matter as well as problem-solving and analytical skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Levels cover a wide variety of subjects that could make your learning experience more enjoyable. There also isn\u2019t a specific aim, so you\u2019ll cover a lot of different areas within that topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you were to study A Level Biology<\/strong><\/a> you\u2019d learn about microorganisms, cellular biology and even entire ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By covering a lot of ground you\u2019re bound to find a niche you love and want to explore further. Especially if you\u2019re unsure on exactly which direction you\u2019d like your learning to take you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Levels are also accepted by all universities, though one A Level alone is not enough. Therefore, if you didn\u2019t have any from your time at school, you\u2019d need to take 2 or 3. Depending on what undergraduate course you\u2019re looking to get into for university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be a time-consuming process if you\u2019re trying to complete them alongside other commitments. You could take them altogether but that\u2019s more like full-time study and harder to balance with an existing schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although if you\u2019re not looking to get into higher education, they could be the better choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they\u2019re the UK\u2019s standard school-leavers qualification they\u2019re recognised by employers across the world. Employers that see A Levels on a resume will know that you\u2019re academically adept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an Access to HE Diploma?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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An Access to Higher Education Diploma<\/a> is a designed for anyone 19 and over as an alternate route into university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since they were established in the 1970s they\u2019ve helped many students achieve their goals of getting onto an undergraduate degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most commonly Access to HE Diplomas are accredited by the Open College Network West Midlands. However, as long as they\u2019re regulated by Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) it doesn\u2019t matter who the awarding body is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does the diploma work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Access to HE Diplomas are equivalent to A Levels but instead of taking multiple courses – you only need the one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were to take two A Levels back to back, then you\u2019d be looking at around 18 months to two years of study. Whereas the average online learner completes their Access to HE Diploma in around 9\/10 months. Essentially, you\u2019re cutting your study time in half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the content isn\u2019t as varied as A Levels. Mainly due to the fact that Access to HE Diplomas are meant to prepare you for specific university degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)<\/strong><\/a> for those wanting to study nursing at university or the Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery)<\/strong><\/a> for midwifery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should also be noted that they\u2019re not interchangeable. You won\u2019t be able to take an Access to HE (Nursing) and suddenly decide you want to apply for midwifery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whereas universities are more lenient in terms of which A Levels you study as long they\u2019re somewhat related. Although certain subjects are very specific with their requirements such as nursing, midwifery, secondary school teaching and medical degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying to University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Both options are valid steppingstones toward higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is, however, still important to check the entry requirements for your desired institute. While all universities accept A Levels, it isn\u2019t the same for the Access to HE Diplomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access to HE Diplomas are accepted by the overwhelming majority \u2013 but not all. So, it\u2019s best to make sure the course you enrol on gets you where you want to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UCAS Points<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UCAS points are the numerical value assigned to your qualifications and their specific grading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universities often set a minimum requirement of UCAS points along with what subjects they\u2019d like you to have studied. This shows you have not only studied the relevant subjects, but you\u2019ve received a decent grade too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Level grades are divided as followed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n