WJEC A-Levels Explained: What They Are, How They Work, and Your Online A-Level Options
WJEC is the Welsh awarding body and Eduqas is its brand for England; both award full A Levels graded A* to E that UK universities accept through UCAS exactly as they accept AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Lift College delivers its online A Levels through AQA, except A Level Film Studies, which uses WJEC Eduqas.
By Dr Mark Fielding, Head of A Levels and GCSEs·Published ·Updated ·10 min read
Reviewed by Dr Kate Strohm, Managing Director
What WJEC and Eduqas are
WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee) is a UK awarding body. WJEC is used mainly in Wales; Eduqas is WJEC's brand for England. Both award full A-levels graded A*-E and are accepted by UK universities through UCAS.
Is WJEC the same as Eduqas?
WJEC is the Welsh exam board; Eduqas is the same organisation's brand for Ofqual-regulated qualifications in England. The content is similar, but English schools and online learners sit Eduqas or another English board such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel or OCR, not Welsh WJEC qualifications.
How WJEC compares with AQA, Edexcel and OCR
No board is objectively harder. All are regulated to the same national standard. What differs is specification content, exam style and subject availability.
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
The four main UK A Level exam boards compared
Board
Brand used in England
Regulator
A Level grading
Recognised by UK universities
Used by Lift College
WJEC
Eduqas
Ofqual (Eduqas); Qualifications Wales (WJEC)
A* to E
Yes, via UCAS
A Level Film Studies (Eduqas)
AQA
AQA
Ofqual
A* to E
Yes, via UCAS
All other Lift College A Levels
Pearson
Edexcel
Ofqual
A* to E
Yes, via UCAS
International A Levels (Pearson Edexcel)
OCR
OCR
Ofqual
A* to E
Yes, via UCAS
No
All four boards are regulated to the same national standard; specification content and exam style differ, difficulty does not. For how universities treat each board, see exam boards and university recognition, and for every board in one place, see UK exam boards explained. Checked 20 October 2026.
Does Lift College offer WJEC A-levels?
Not Welsh WJEC A-levels. Lift College delivers A-levels through AQA, apart from A Level Film Studies, which uses WJEC Eduqas (WJEC's brand for England). Both boards are equally recognised by UK universities. If you are choosing a Film Studies course, see best online A Level Film Studies courses UK compared.
Studying A-levels online
Online A-levels suit motivated learners who need flexibility. Written exams must be sat in person at an approved centre, typically in May-June. Lift College advises on finding centres.
Browse our online A Levels for live subjects, fees and enrolment.
Yes. WJEC A-levels are fully recognised by all UK universities and are processed through UCAS in exactly the same way as A-levels from AQA, Edexcel, or OCR. Universities assess the subject and the grade, not the awarding body.
Can I resit a WJEC A-level through a different exam board?
Yes, you can. There is no requirement to resit with the same awarding body. Many students who originally sat WJEC A-levels choose to resit through AQA, Edexcel, or OCR (for example, through AQA with an online provider such as Lift College). The content may differ slightly between specifications, so you would study the new board's specification from the start.
Does Lift College offer WJEC or Eduqas A-levels?
Lift College delivers A-levels through AQA, apart from A Level Film Studies, which uses WJEC Eduqas. We do not offer Welsh WJEC qualifications. However, our AQA and WJEC Eduqas A-levels are equally recognised by UK universities and carry the same UCAS tariff points.
What is the difference between WJEC and Eduqas?
WJEC and Eduqas are both brands of the same organisation: the Welsh Joint Education Committee. WJEC specifications are primarily used in Wales; Eduqas specifications are designed for schools and colleges in England and must meet Ofqual's regulatory requirements. Both lead to full A-level qualifications graded A*-E.
How long does it take to complete an A-level online?
Most students studying an A-level online with Lift College complete their course in 12-24 months, depending on the subject and how much time they can commit each week. Courses are self-paced, so you can study around work, family, or other commitments.
Where do I sit my A-level exams if I study online?
A-level exams must be sat in person at an approved external exam centre (they cannot be taken at home). Lift College provides guidance on finding a suitable exam centre near you. Lift College advises you on finding an approved exam centre. Study-only learners book their own centre; +Exams plans include entry via Tutors and Exams centres.
Will universities know I studied online rather than at a school or sixth form?
No. Your A-level certificate shows the subject, the awarding body, and your grade. It does not indicate whether you studied at a school, sixth form, or online provider. Universities make offers based on predicted or achieved grades, not the mode of study.
What UCAS points does an A-level give me?
Under the current UCAS tariff, a full A-level is worth: A* = 56 points, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24, E = 16. These points are the same regardless of which awarding body issued the qualification.
Do I need any qualifications to start an A-level online?
Entry requirements vary by subject and provider. At Lift College there are no formal academic entry requirements. A GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in a related subject is recommended; A-level sciences and maths strongly assume GCSE grade 6+. Generally, a GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in the relevant subject (or a related subject) is recommended as a starting point.
Is studying A-levels online right for me?
Online A-levels suit motivated, self-directed learners who need flexibility. If you can manage your own study schedule, engage with online materials, and are committed to sitting formal exams at an approved centre, online study can be an effective and convenient route to an A-level qualification.
What does WJEC stand for?
WJEC stands for the Welsh Joint Education Committee, the awarding body founded in 1948 and based in Cardiff. In England its qualifications are branded Eduqas and regulated by Ofqual. Lift College uses WJEC Eduqas for A Level Film Studies and AQA for its other A Levels.
Is WJEC Criminology an A Level?
No. The WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology is an Applied General qualification, not an A Level. It is graded A* to E and carries UCAS points like an A Level, and many universities accept it, but it is assessed partly by controlled assessment rather than by exams alone.
Which exam board is closest to WJEC?
Eduqas is closest, because it is WJEC's own brand for England. AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas A Levels all follow the same Department for Education subject content, so switching boards mainly means learning a different specification and paper format.
Is Eduqas easier than AQA?
No board is easier. Ofqual regulates all English A Levels to the same standard, and grade boundaries are set each year so that a grade means the same across boards. Lift College's AQA and Eduqas A Levels carry identical UCAS points and university recognition.
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