At Lift College you can study International A Levels and UK A Levels fully online, with exams at a Tutors and Exams centre in England.
International A Levels vs A Levels at a glance
| International A Level (IAL) | UK A Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Awarding body | Pearson Edexcel | AQA, Pearson Edexcel or OCR |
| Structure | Modular: six units, sat in any order | Linear: all exams at the end |
| Exam series | January, June and October | May and June only |
| Resits | Resit any single unit at the next series | Resit the whole qualification the following year |
| Grading | A* to E | A* to E |
| Science practicals | Practical skills assessed in written papers only | Written exams plus a separately reported practical endorsement |
| UK university acceptance | Accepted by UK universities; no UCAS Tariff points (international qualification) | Accepted, carries UCAS Tariff points |
| Regulation | Awarded by Pearson Edexcel to the same standard as its UK A Levels | Regulated by Ofqual |
What is an International A Level?
An International A Level is the version of the A Level that Pearson Edexcel awards in international schools in more than 80 countries. It covers the same subject content depth as a UK A Level and is graded on the same A* to E scale, but it keeps the modular structure UK A Levels used before the 2015 reforms. Each subject is split into six units, each with its own exam paper, and you bank unit results as you go. Lift College offers four International A Level subjects online: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
How is a UK A Level different?
A UK A Level is linear. Everything rests on the final exams, which run once a year in May and June, and if you want to improve a grade you resit the full set of papers the following summer. UK A Levels are regulated by Ofqual and awarded by AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR. In the sciences they also include a practical endorsement, a separately reported pass based on lab work signed off by the centre, which is why distance learners taking a UK science A Level need to arrange assessed practical sessions.
Do UK universities accept International A Levels?
Yes, but International A Levels do not carry UCAS Tariff points. UCAS only gives Tariff points to UK-regulated qualifications, so International A Levels are not on the Tariff. Universities set their own entry requirements for International A Levels and usually treat the grades in the same way as A Level grades, and Pearson publishes university recognition statements. If you are aiming at a specific degree, check that course's entry requirements page, especially if the offer is given in UCAS points, because some science degrees comment on practical skills, and confirm the subjects it asks for.
Which one should you choose?
The International A Level suits you if you want more than one exam window a year. Because units run in January, June and October, you can start at any time of year and reach your first papers sooner, and a disappointing unit result costs you one resit paper rather than a full extra year. The examined-only science route also means no practical endorsement to arrange, which removes the hardest logistics of studying science by distance learning.
The UK A Level suits you if you need a subject the IAL route does not cover, such as Psychology or Sociology, or if your target degree course specifically asks for the Ofqual-regulated qualification with the practical endorsement. Most applicants are not in that position, but it is worth checking before you enrol.
Whichever route fits, courses at Lift College start with a free 7-day trial. Nothing is charged until day 8, and you can enrol from age 14.
How do exams work for online learners?
For both routes you study online with a named UK tutor and sit your papers in person as a private candidate. Lift College's official exam centre partner is Tutors and Exams, with centres across England, and your exam entries and seat bookings are made for you. International A Level papers in England are sat at the same centres as UK A Level papers, on the dates Pearson sets for each series.
Frequently asked questions
Are International A Levels easier than A Levels?
Can I mix International A Levels and UK A Levels?
Can I resit a single unit of an International A Level?
Is an International A Level recognised for UCAS points?
Sources
- Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Levels, qualification structure and recognition (qualifications.pearson.com)
- Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications, GCE A Levels (register.ofqual.gov.uk)
- UCAS, The UCAS Tariff guide: qualifications not included in the Tariff (ucas.com)