3 A levels in one year

[ShouldistayShouldigo]

Is it possible? The uni I have in mind needs AAB

I don’t really want to start uni later than Sept 2021 Is there any way to sort of “catch up” on what I’ve missed since last September? (So cram them into a year and “a half”)

I am good at education and exams, my GCSE’s are high grades and if it takes hard work, hard work is what I’ll do! I’d prefer to do them in person at a college? Has anyone done them in one year at a college?

My “back up” uni just wants UCAS points which means I could do something other than A Levels right? Is there anything you would suggest? Can BTEC or Access courses be done quick enough? The uni degree would be in English.

Originally I planned to get things done by Sept 2020 and just had really poor mental health so missed lots of deadlines at the end of last year Feel back on track now though and want to get the ball rolling ASAP

Thanks!

If missing out on my first choice uni happens because I didn’t start my A levels last September then I can accept that

But holding out a little bit of hope

Are you a 'mature' student? If so check with the uni, lots will accept different qualifications.

3 A levels in a year is possible if you have no family or social life but it is going to be hard. You might be better doing 1 or 2 and aiming for a good grade.

Check out access courses they are usually for a year

The problem you will face is being accepted on a course mid year so 'catching up' on Year 12 may not be an option.
As for doing the A levels in 1 tear - Do any teach it in one year?

Why the rush? Can't you start in Sept 2020 and do two years? I know you want to go to Uni earlier but is it really necessary?

As sashh said, I would contact your first choice uni and ask what they will accept in terms of access courses/foundation programmes.

Just because they’ve published A’ Level grades as entry requirements, it doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t accept anything else.

If you can, I would recommend choosing an access/foundation course which is designed to be completed in one year rather than attempting to cram a two year A’ Level course into one year.

FE colleges should also be able to advise you on whether their courses are suitable based on your plans and tell you which universities have previously accepted them.

Personally I would suggest doing an Access course these are 1 year. It may be possible to take the subject that you wish to take at degree level in one year alongside that. Access courses are suitable for people 19 years or older.
I would also strongly suggest going to your local college who will be able to support you with your application and provide references.

I'm not in a position to give specific advice on this. Just wanted to say though, if you have just come through a period of mental health problems, examine carefully and honestly what contributed to them and whether you are now in a good position not just to work steadily and achieve, but to work over and above if you do get the opportunity to 'catch up' the year as you wish. If you push yourself to get through the A levels next year but then crash you might not get to uni by your personal deadline.

I was in a totally different situation finishing school, but didn't investigate one option for higher education because I would have had to take a gap year to do it, and was impatient to move on (for good reason). In many ways, 30 years later, I regret not considering more seriously.

Your education is for your lifetime, not a race. Very best wishes for finding the right route forward for your own success.

I haven't been able to find anywhere that teaches A-levels from scratch in one year, apart from one or two very expensive private London colleges. So you'd probably need to consider DIY A-Levels - that sounds quite daunting, three in one year studying from home.

What subjects? Ones with crossover will be easier, eg maths and physics.

One of my DD's friends decided last Christmas that she had made the wrong choices with her A levels and wished to apply for medicine. She was originally taking maths, history & English. She was allowed to switch history for biology before Christmas. She started self studying chemistry in January, completing the first year material at home whilst continuing to study for her other A levels. The college let her sit the first year chemistry exam alongside the students they were teaching so that she could have a predicted grade. In year 13 she has completely dropped English and now takes 1st and 2nd year chemistry at the same time so that she can complete the required practical, but she is working incredibly hard to catch up.

You may come unstuck if your college can't give accurate predicted grades. Did you start the 3 subjects that you are planning to finish next year? Can you start studying them again now, so that you have caught up on all of the first year work? I think your best source of advice would be the college that you are hoping to attend, as ultimately they have to decided they will give you a place.