A level Computing - not offered at school 6th form - any way of doing DIY?

bickering · 2025-02-04T19:00:43+00:00

DS wants to choose Computing A level but his school don’t offer it. He's predicted 8-9s for his GCSEs Is there a way of doing this in parallel with his other A Level studies? Or is that a crazy idea?

DemonicCaveMaggot · 04/02/2025 19:04

It could work if your DS could find an online course. You could ask his school to enter him for the exam and let him sit it there if you paid the exam fee.

When my DC were in the US we found an online AP Chemistry (similar to UK A level) course that was excellent.

Alternatively can he take industry recognized certifications such as CISCO?

taxguru · 04/02/2025 19:05

He may have to look at alternative options, such as moving to a different school/college for sixth form. It's the kind of thing our local adult education college did back in the day by evening classes, half days, etc, but since Blair's years, they scrapped all adult education and now only serve virtually full time 16-18 year olds, so doing any kind of course part time is no longer possible.

Octavia64 · 04/02/2025 19:06

Not worth it.

If he wants to go into that area study maths and physics and do it at uni.

Original poster

bickering · 04/02/2025 19:06

DemonicCaveMaggot · 04/02/2025 19:04

It could work if your DS could find an online course. You could ask his school to enter him for the exam and let him sit it there if you paid the exam fee.

When my DC were in the US we found an online AP Chemistry (similar to UK A level) course that was excellent.

Alternatively can he take industry recognized certifications such as CISCO?

Edited

No idea?! Maybe that’s an alternative. It would be good to have something to show for it

OP posts:

Original poster

bickering · 04/02/2025 19:12

Octavia64 · 04/02/2025 19:06

Not worth it.

If he wants to go into that area study maths and physics and do it at uni.

That's what I said!
Maths & Further Maths would be useful for a computing degree and physics in case he wants to look at engineering... but he loves computing and it is such a shame he has to wait 2 years or move schools/friends. Gah!

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Original poster

bickering · 04/02/2025 19:16

DemonicCaveMaggot · 04/02/2025 19:04

It could work if your DS could find an online course. You could ask his school to enter him for the exam and let him sit it there if you paid the exam fee.

When my DC were in the US we found an online AP Chemistry (similar to UK A level) course that was excellent.

Alternatively can he take industry recognized certifications such as CISCO?

Edited

That is a thought - when i searched this up last year there was nothing online but they seem to have added things here:
https://oxbridgehomelearning.uk/course/a-level-computer-science/
Could be an option...

A-level Computer Science

Study our A-level Computer Science Course Online, CAIE Awarding body. In Your Own Time, At Your Own Pace. Benefit From Unlimited Tutor Support

https://oxbridgehomelearning.uk/course/a-level-computer-science

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Original poster

bickering · 04/02/2025 19:23

bickering · 04/02/2025 19:16

That is a thought - when i searched this up last year there was nothing online but they seem to have added things here:
https://oxbridgehomelearning.uk/course/a-level-computer-science/
Could be an option...

Show quote history

Or maybe not - the reviews aren't great

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Lyn348 · 04/02/2025 20:18

DS's A-level comp sci included an NEA so I think it would be difficult to do it yourself and then just pay to sit the exam. The NEA was hugely involved too, over 100 pages long - but he really enjoyed it. He enjoyed comp sci 100 times more than he did maths or physics.

Original poster

bickering · 04/02/2025 20:35

Lyn348 · 04/02/2025 20:18

DS's A-level comp sci included an NEA so I think it would be difficult to do it yourself and then just pay to sit the exam. The NEA was hugely involved too, over 100 pages long - but he really enjoyed it. He enjoyed comp sci 100 times more than he did maths or physics.

Thats it really - enjoying the next 2 years rather than slogging away at subjects without enthusiasm. Maybe he’s going to have to move schools

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catndogslife · 06/02/2025 14:59

This A level Computing course has excellent reviews and may be suitable for your ds. https://worthing.teachallaboutit.uk/a-level-computer-science/

A Level Computer Science – TeachAllAboutIT

https://worthing.teachallaboutit.uk/a-level-computer-science

RatherBeOnVacation · 06/02/2025 15:45

The A-level computing course is dry to say the least. My DC is taking GCSE and is really turned off by it and said A-level looked even worse. She does love programming though so is taking an online Python certification course alongside her A-levels. She is taking maths and further maths and that seems to be the main prerequisite for studying CS at most universities.

Original poster

bickering · 06/02/2025 22:27

catndogslife · 06/02/2025 14:59

This A level Computing course has excellent reviews and may be suitable for your ds. https://worthing.teachallaboutit.uk/a-level-computer-science/

Ooh good spot - thanks!

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Original poster

bickering · 06/02/2025 22:28

RatherBeOnVacation · 06/02/2025 15:45

The A-level computing course is dry to say the least. My DC is taking GCSE and is really turned off by it and said A-level looked even worse. She does love programming though so is taking an online Python certification course alongside her A-levels. She is taking maths and further maths and that seems to be the main prerequisite for studying CS at most universities.

Yes the project looks like it could be a bit dry but DS has loved the GCSE. Claims he can't get enough computing lessons!

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blippo · 07/02/2025 10:59

He could program as a hobby in his spare time. Learn a few different programming languages, get a GitHub account and start a few projects he's interested in (AI, Vision, web etc). Also contribute to a few open source projects on GitHub. This will help prepare him for a computing degree and shows interest outside of his studies.