Hello everyone, it’s been a while. Today I want to talk about A-Levels (British) or CAPE-Caribbean. If you’re a secondary or highschool student, you’re probably having conversations about this or soon will be, because the subjects you take will determine what university courses you can apply for.
I’m not sure what the situation is across the Caribbean but on the island of Montserrat, there are only a handful of courses offered at our local college. This puts the students at a great disadvantage, pushing them to take courses they are not interested in or into the work space.
I would like to offer an opportunity for students to study the subjects they are really interested in with online alternatives. This will provide the qualifications necessary to apply for schools in the Caribbean, America, Europe or other.
If you are looking to study at UWI here is a linkhttps://apps.uwi.edu/programmes/ to their courses and requirements to help you choose the right A-level/CAPE course.
Looking to study in England: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate
CAPE: Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination
School: Caribbean Online Academy
https://www.caribbeanonlineacademy.com/copy-of-online-registration
This qualification can be used to apply to schools in the Caribbean, England and in America. For universities in America you will have to have your grades evaluated so that a GPA (grade point average) can be created which is the system they use. When I applied to universities in America I used ‘Educational Credential Evaluators’ https://www.ece.org/. For universities in other countries, you may need to use the same method of an outside evaluation.
The courses available:
- Communication Studies
- Caribbean Studies
- Sociology
- Biology
- Management of Business
- Environmental Science
- Mathematics
- Information technology
- Law
- History
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Tourism
Fees can be inquired at the contact information below.
If you’re looking to apply to the Caribbean Online Academy, late registration closes on August 18th, 2023. You can contact them: Tel: (876) 421-5979 or 519-5161
Email: info@caribbeanonlineacademy.com
A- Levels (England)
School: Open Study College
https://www.openstudycollege.com/qualifications/a-level
They offer:
- Accounting (AQA)
- Biology (AQA)
- Business Studies (Edexcel)
- Chemistry (AQA)
- Classical Civilisation (OCR)
- Economics (Edexcel)
- English Language and Literature (Edexcel)
- English Language (AQA)
- Literature (Edexcel)
- Environmental Science (AQA)
- Further Maths (AQA)
- Maths (AQA)
- Geography (Edexcel)
- History (Edexcel)
- Law (AQA)
- Philosophy (AQA)
- Physics (AQA)
- Politics (Edexcel)
- Psychology (AQA)
- Religious Studies (AQA)
- Sociology (AQA)
When applying for university in England, you must use the website UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service). When you search for a subject, a list of universities will popup. Under the school you will see UCAS points. An A Level is worth a certain number of UCAS Points.
The number of UCAS points awarded for each grade is as follows:
- A*: 56 points
- A: 48 points
- B: 40 points
- C: 32 points
- D: 24 points
- E: 16 points
Students are only required to take three subjects. The subject you choose will depend on the course you are applying for.
Here is a video that talks about some FAQs you may have about using online learning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7NlhRMN710&t=673s.
Examinations: This school uses AQA, OCR, and Edexcel examination boards.
This online school like others will only be able to arrange exams that take place in England. However, you can go to your local UWI Open Campus and request them to be an exam centre for the examination that you or a student is taking. For example, if a student is taking an AQA accounting examination, you can ask that UWI request AQA to become an exam centre so that you or a student can take the exam locally. If the student is taking a subject that uses Edexcel, apply the same method. Don’t worry that your child or student might be taking subjects that use different examination boards, they will all add up to the necessary points needed for their applications whether in England or abroad.
For more information: https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/become-an-aqa-centre
https://www.tutorsandexams.com/contact-us/
Fees: Every one of these courses cost £549 except English and Literature, Literature and Religious studies which cost £539. This fee covers the entirety of the course which spans two years. With three courses at £549 that would be £1647 for two years. (A student is required to take 3 subjects or an equivalent)
This school offers the option of having the necessary class material printed and sent to you. You can also access it digitally.
School: UK Open College
https://ukopencollege.co.uk/product-category/a-level-courses-online/
This school offers:
- Accounting Course – AQA
- Biology & Chemistry – AQA
- Biology – AQA
- Business Studies – Edexcel
- Chemistry – AQA
- Classical Civilisation – OCR
- Economics Course – Edexcel
- English Language and Literature Course – Edexcel
- English Literature Course – Edexcel
- Environmental Science – AQA
- Geography – Edexcel
- History – Edexcel (Please check the topics studied in the modules. It won’t be based mainly on the topics you would’ve learnt if you’re a student studying outside of England.)
- Law – AQA
- Mathematics – AQA
- Further Mathematics – AQA
- Philosophy – AQA
- Physics – AQA
- Politics – AQA
- Pyschology AQA
- Religious Studies – AQA
- Sociology AQA
Fees: All courses cost £539.00. This fee covers the entirety of the program which spans two years. Three courses/subjects £1617.00. (You need to take three subjects)
School: King’s Inter High
https://kingsinterhigh.co.uk/a-levels-online/
Course offered:
- Biology – Edexcel
- Business Studies – CAIE (Cambridge International Examinations)
- Chemistry – Edexcel
- Classical Civilisation – OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA)
- Computer Science – CAIE
- Economics – CAIE
- English Language – CAIE
- English Literature Course – CAIE
- French – Edexcel
- Further Mathematics – CAIE
- Geography – CAIE
- German – Edexcel
- History – CAIE
- Law – CAIE
- Math – CAIE
- Media Studies – OCR
- Physics – Edexcel
- Politics – AQA
- Pyschology – CAIE
- Sociology – CAIE
- Spanish – Edexcel
CAIE is another type of examiation board. Same method can be applied for test taking.
Fees: https://kingsinterhigh.co.uk/fees/
Art Students (Visual and Performing)
The Online College of Art & Design specialises in online courses for visual and performing arts.
https://www.artcoursework.com/courses
Courses offered
Art Courses: https://www.artcoursework.com/courses/art.
This includes:
- 3D Design
- Fine Art
- Graphic
- Illustrations
Design Courses: https://www.artcoursework.com/courses/design
This includes:
- Design
- Textile Design
- Fashion Design
- Architectural Design
- Film and Animation
- Interior Design
- Graphic Design
Photography Courses: https://www.artcoursework.com/courses/photography
- Photography
Music Courses: https://www.artcoursework.com/courses/music
This includes
- Music
- Music Technology
Fees: This information can be inquired here https://www.artcoursework.com/contact-us
Some of these courses allow you to take one subject whether fine art or fashion design and on upon completion have enough points to apply for university.
For more information on any of these schools or courses please contact the school at the links provided.
Hope this helps. Happy Studying!