Admission to private tertiary institutions is usually very selective and high level commitment is usually expected from GCSE and A-level students; However, this allows independent tertiary institutions to maintain high standards, so they can offer their students a stimulating environment that is conducive to achieving the best grades and earning acceptance at the best universities in the UK, such as Oxford and Cambridge.
Students who want to get a place at a private tertiary institution to prepare for the sixth level / level A and the GCSE exam will usually be asked to fill out an application form. In addition, they will be asked to provide copies of the latest academic reports, or predictions of GCSE scores. For A-level or GCSE students abroad, a personal statement describing students’ achievements, interests and ambitions regarding further education can also be requested.
Students will then be asked to attend an interview; for some A-level subjects, acceptance tests may also be required, such as auditions for drama students. Interviews for places in independent tertiary education higher education are usually held in tertiary institutions; however, for overseas students who wish to apply for a place at a private tertiary institution in the UK, interviews can be conducted in the student’s country of residence or by telephone. This interview focuses on the ambitions and interests of A-level or GCSE students, not only about the academic curriculum, but also beyond. In interviewing students, the goal of the college staff is to determine that students have and will be able to achieve above-average grades.
Open Days or Open Evenings are often offered by universities to improve the education of students and their parents. At this meeting, parents and students have the opportunity to meet with teachers and college staff and to attend presentations and exhibitions of student work. This allows them to experience the activities offered by independent tertiary institutions they are considering registering.
A wide range of courses in all A-level subjects are usually available at private higher education colleges: arts and media, finance and computing, humanities, languages, social sciences and traditional sciences. At the GCSE level, courses are available in core subjects (mathematics, science, English literature, English and ICT) as well as subjects such as arts and languages.
In addition, revised exam courses can be offered during the Easter period for GCSE and A-level students.
Private tertiary institutions for GCSE and A-level preparation usually provide additional services for their students. For example, classes and tutorials are held in smaller groups; this makes it possible to give GCSE and A-level students more individual attention as well as a more stimulating and interactive environment, with the aim of enhancing their learning abilities and skills. For example, at Ashbourne College, an independent A-level and further education college in Kensington, Central London, group sizes rarely exceed ten. In addition, advanced private universities usually offer a large choice of facilities (such as computers, media or art equipment) as well as various extracurricular activities for their students, such as sports, cultural visits and international travel.
Fees vary depending on the length of the course. Courses available at independent tertiary education colleges can range from two-year A-level courses to one-year and 18-month A-level courses, two-year GCSE courses, one-year GCSE courses, etc. There are also exam fees and tuition fees that parents of students who wish to continue their education at private tertiary institutions need to consider.
However, scholarships and scholarships are often offered to high-achieving A-level and GCSE students who want to study in independent tertiary institutions for further education and will not otherwise be able to get a place. In addition to exceptional academic ability, a strong interest in further education and ambition to be accepted at top universities in the UK (such as Oxford or Cambridge) are required to obtain further education scholarships at A-level and GCSE colleges. So students who can demonstrate the ability to achieve the best grades comfortably on their GCSE and A-level exams, which makes them more likely to get a place at the best universities in the UK, will usually qualify for an A-level or GCSE scholarship.
So, even though admission to selective further education colleges and preparation for A-level and GCSE exams at these tertiary institutions is usually high-cost, high-achieving students who want to get a place at top universities may still be eligible to receive scholarships and enjoy the benefits offered by the college independent height, such as smaller class sizes and a stimulating environment, which will help them maximize their academic abilities.
