- A level Courses
- Biology A level
- Business A level
- Economics A level
- English Language A level
- English Literature A level
- French A level
- History A level
- Law A level
- Mathematics A level
- Psychology A level
- Sociology A level
- Spanish A level
Each of our A level distance learning courses is divided into two parts: the AS level and the 2nd Year (A2 level). While both contain roughly the same amount of learning material, the conceptually more difficult elements will almost always be at post-AS level.
AS level exams may be taken after one year of study but results from AS level exams no longer count towards A level results. As level is now effectively a stand-alone qualification.
Most of our A levels are assessed by written exam papers. Some courses, English Language, English Literature and History have coursework, also called non-exam assessment (NEA). Where NEA is required, the candidate’s work is marked and moderated by OOL tutors.
Examinations take place each summer. There are no longer any winter examinations.
For most A levels no one source of information is enough to give students the breadth of knowledge required to get the very best marks. So for each of our A level courses, we recommend a set textbook to help students with their studying.
In addition to the set text, each course includes a list of suggested further reading to help you gain a broader understanding of your subject
By clicking on any of the book images on this website, you will be taken to the relevant page on the Amazon website where you can order a hard copy of the text.
Some courses, Like Maths, the Modern Foreign Languages and business studies also include access to exclusive online resources.
The majority of our A level courses have specific entry requirements. For further information, please see individual subject details.
Oxford Open Learning will usually permit entry onto our A level courses with a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C and above. Preferably, these will include English and Maths.
A level Featured Courses
English Literature A level
English Literature A level, as well as being a fascinating and enjoyable subject, will prepare you well for both university and the world of work.
Spanish A level
Studying any Modern Foreign Language is fun, but it is also very attractive to employers worldwide.
A level FAQs
An A level is the gold standard of British Further Education. Normally studied over two years by 16 to 18 year olds, the A level is the most common qualification needed to progress to university.
You will sit your examination as a Private Candidate at a local school, college or tutorial centre. Entering for examinations is your responsibility but our Exams team and Student Advisers will give you all the help you need. If your course includes coursework (NEA), this will be marked by Oxford Open Learning tutors but written exams will still be taken locally.
This is very hard to answer as the definition of an online course is very broad and encompasses everything from an unsupported multiple choice testing engine to a virtual environment which attempts to carry out lectures via webcast. We prefer to provide you with hard copies of your course materials, as we feel this is still the best way to study these academic subjects.
Each of Oxford Open Learning Trust’s courses are supported by a fully qualified, subject-specific tutor to whom you will be able to submit your assignments and questions electronically by email. More importantly, you will have a free phone contact number for your tutor, so you can receive personalised tuition on a one to one basis. However, the assignments from some of our courses, such as the Maths A level assignments, are much better done using pen and paper and so can be sent to your tutor either using the post or by scanning and emailing.
AS levels can be taken as a stand-alone qualification, but they no longer make up the first part of a full A level course. Studying a new syllabus A level, you will need to sit all of your exams in one sitting. If you are unsure about your subject or syllabus then please feel free to speak to one of our student advisers.
Different students will study for different lengths of time. Traditionally an A level is studied over roughly two years, but some students will feel that they have the time to study a course over one year or slightly less. Whilst we do enrol all throughout the year we do have deadlines in place for enrolling towards specific exam dates. To study an A level requires an average total of 700 study hours so it is important that you are realistic about the amount of time you can set aside for your studies in a given time frame.
