Has anyone done taken A levels years after leaving school?

[1234ThumbWar]

I'm a sahm with school aged dc's. I have always loved English literature and was devastated when I wasn't allowed to take it at O level at school. I wasn't in the top stream and it just wasn't allowed, I used to read all the books on the syllabus. I still feel cross about it and it's just occurred to me that perhaps I could study it now. I'm assuming I could do an A level rather than a Gcse, but I'm not sure of the best way of doing this.

There are a number of distance learning providers, I don't know if this is a good way of doing it or if there's any difference between providers. Do colleges do A levels part time for people like me? I'm in my 40's.

Hi 123. I am at college full-time doing a btec level 2 and then will be doing a level 3 next year and then off to uni.

One of the problems I have found is that there are less and less courses for mature students now. (There were only 3 colleges within 60 miles offering this course!)

My level 3 will not give me enough UCAS points for uni so it was suggested to me to run an alevel alongside it which is relevant.

However your going to be hard pushed to find a college that runs alevels part-time for mature students. I have not even seen any full-time alevels for matures full stop!!

A lot of courses now are mainly for 16-19 year olds and a lot of the courses that were available to older students simply is not anymore.

If you have found a distance learning course then I would definately consider this as an option. Check your local collegs as you might be lucky. In my experience my local colleges only run as levels (half an alevel) for mature students as well.

You will be able to tell whether it is for people above 19 if there is a price for the course. Then you will either have to pay (like me ) or may get funding if on means tested benefits or from the college directly.

Good luck !!

As long as it fits in with your DCs school hours, then doing a course with 16-18 year old at your local college may be option. While distance learning is more convenient, I found sitting in a classroom, getting and giving feedback, to be more helpful.

Don't worry about doing the GCSE, A Level English Lit isn't that difficult, honestly. (I did it, and I'm not exceptionally bright.)

Another option might be to explore what Lit courses the Open University offers. That way you can do it when it suits iyswim?

Hi, 1233, I failed my English Lit O Level but have just finished an English Lit degree with Birkbeck College, part of the University of London. They offer part-time courses, for one or two evenings a week. I don't know if you are near to London but some people commuted from Devon to go there!

I would recommend seeing what degree courses there are, especially with the Open University. You may be surprised at how much you can achieve now that you are a little more, er, mature! I am also 40 years old and completely messed up my A levels, and was a hairdresser and a secretary for 23 years. Now I am going to do my PGCE and become a primary school teacher. I definitely found that learning as a mature student was much more rewarding and relevant than when I was younger.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Thanks everyone. I'd prefer to be in a class, rather than working it out for myself if I can. Not near London am op the other end of the country, but very close to a University town so perhaps I ought to see what there is out there.

I'd love to do a degree, I was fortunate enough to find about the only fulfilling career that didn't need a degree. DH has often suggested it. The problem is I still want to be at the school gates at 3.30.

You can do a degree and still be at the school gates at 3:30. Most modules start around 9:30/10:00, and finish around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. (There will be exceptions, some finish at 4 or 5, but if your DCs could do after-school clubs, it may be possible).

I don't want to sound like I'm pushing you towards doing a degree but I started one, and it's been excellent so far.

HI 1234ThumbWar. Yes, yes, yes, yes - do it. I did A Level art nine years ago (thirty years late - I hadn't been allowed to take A Level art when I really, really wanted to at school (parental veto).
A year or two before that, I did GCSE maths, I'd failed the 'O' Level in the 1960s, and it had always annoyed me - I'd felt it had only just been out of my grasp.
Of the two subjects, funnily enough, I found the maths more satisfying. I'd 'sort of' enjoyed bits of the O Level maths course, but then thrown the towel in when I came to bits I couldn't get the hang of. I just gave up on it and concentrated on my other subjects.
It was SUCH a thrill to get a 'B' when I did the GCSE (Higher Tier).
Mind you, I've forgotten it all again now. But it gave my brain a great workout at the time!
I'm sure you'll do fine if you do a literature course. The fact that you chose to do the reading for a course you weren't allowed to do, proves your interest - and being interested is everything.
I don't remember how much I paid for my A Level course, but I did mine at an Arts Centre type place, about 10 hours a week I think (I work part time)

I went back and studied A level politics at my local sixth form. I was in the class with the six formers and found it lots of fun being with them all but if you don't want to be with a load of young adults then maybe look into doing an access course with the emphasis on English lit. These usually have a much broader age group. Good luck.