How to take an A or AS Level as an adult?

[Underachieving]

My local adult education centre have been stripped of all the courses I consider proper academic courses in favour of what they call leisure courses. So I can't do an AS or A2 (A Level) through the adult education service at all.

The Open University only offer degree level courses and they are far more involved than I want right now.

There is one college an hour away who do evening AS & A2 but being an hour away is a proper PITA. My car's not reliable, it's a long way to be from my small baby and it makes for a very long and tiring evening with all that travelling to consider.

I am free in the day (not working) and OH can be free for childcare duty more or less whenever I ask as long as it's not Saturday or Sunday (self-employed). So I could I suppose ask the local sixth form if I could take a course as if I were 16- but being surrounded by other peoples teenagers does not feel like much of a break from parenting to me (my eldest is 11).

Are there any good distance study colleges where I could study an AS/A2? I have looked but I only seem to be finding extortionate fees.

Has anyone got any ideas how I could do this?

The OU do something called 'openings' courses, which are not at degree level. They introduce the subject area and prepare you for academic study. The whole purpose is to build your confidence and develop your skills so that you feel you could take on a level 1 course.

Thank you Damsel for inviting me to take another look at the OU. The Openings courses you linked did not seem involved enough for me at just 15 points. I previously was under the impression that level 1 courses were always 60 points and that is too much right now. Having had another look today, they do 30 point courses at level 1. This is ideal.

In the last hour I have registered for a course (code DD131) which runs from May to October and I have applied for financial assistance. I've been told I should expect to get most of my fees paid but if I am not awarded financial help I do not have to take up my place.

DP is going to have a bit of a surprise when he gets in!

If you are intending to go to Uni eventually - then you could look for local Access courses for adults. They prepare you for uni - study skills,essays etc and teach the subject you are interested in too. The course co-ordinator also usually has links with a local Uni to take the best people from the course eg. if you do Access to Law they will have link with local Uni Law school and a feeder arrangement. Some are 1 year full time but there are often part time ones too and financial assistance with the fees

Good luck

That's great, underachieving. I hope you get the financial support and you enjoy the course. You should be able to transfer OU credits if you decide to go on to 'traditional' university education in the future too.

There are also distance home learning companies that do A levels for adults. "Oxford home learning" is one and has been good in the past. I have also done 2 ou courses in the past. They have both been very enjoyable and the organization as a whole impressive. The commitment should not be underestimated though!... Best wishes