Question 1

Can I extend the time on the course?

Accepted Answer

We can always give you more time by extending your course duration by 3 or 6 months. This will be an additional charge starting from £345 for 3 months. Please contact the college directly to arrange a course extension.

Question 2

Why study A-levels online?

Accepted Answer

Studying A-levels online allows you to learn at your own pace and ultimately achieve the qualifications you desire from the comfort of your own home.

Question 3

Why are A-levels so hard?

Accepted Answer

A-levels can be difficult but provided you allocate a reasonable amount of study time to each subject, you will be able to achieve a good grade. It can often feel like a lot of information to take on board, but with Barston you will be fully supported throughout your studies.

Question 4

When is A-level results day 2025 (when are A-level results out)?

Accepted Answer

A-level results day 2025 is Thursday 14th August. (14/08/2025)

Question 5

When do A-levels finish?

Accepted Answer

A-levels have different finish dates. All A–levels finish between May and June.

Question 6

When are A-level exams 2025 (when do A-levels start)?

Accepted Answer

A-level exams in 2025 in the UK are likely to begin in mid-May and run through June, following the typical exam schedule. The specific date depends on the exam board. You can find all the information on our A-level courses page.

Question 7

What is included in the cost of my course?

Accepted Answer

Almost all of our courses, you’ll be provided with everything you will need, including all your course materials and unlimited student support. For some qualifications such as A-levels and GCSEs, however, you’ll need to pay separately for your exams, as well as supplementary reading material.

Question 8

What skills does French A-level give you?

Accepted Answer

In addition to being able to communicate confidently in French, you will improve your analytical skills and increase your knowledge of historical events.

Question 9

What is the difference between A-levels and AS levels?

Accepted Answer

The difference between A-levels and AS levels is the depth of study throughout the course. AS levels cover the basics of a subject, whereas A-levels dive deeper into more complex aspects of the subject.

Question 10

What is an O-level?

Accepted Answer

An O-level was a qualification taken by school students aged 14-16 below A-level. They have since been replaced by the GCSE in 1988.

Question 11

What are the A-level grades?

Accepted Answer

A-levels are graded on a scale on A* to E – with A* being the highest grade possible.

Question 12

What are A-level pass grades?

Accepted Answer

Any grade from A* to E is considered a pass.

Question 13

What are A-levels to GPA?

Accepted Answer

UK A-level Grade 
UK AS Level Grade 
US GPA Score 
A 
A 
4.0 
B 
B 
3.3 
C 
C 
3.00 
D 
D 
2.0

Question 14

What are A-level night classes?

Accepted Answer

You can utilise distance learning to study for any A-level course you wish to take. Learn from the comfort of your own home and structure revision around your current lifestyle.

Question 15

What A-levels do you need to be – a nurse, architecture, lawyer, accountant, marine biology, dentist, to study law?

Accepted Answer

There are specific A-levels which will enable you to pursue your chosen career. Check out our comprehensive guide on what A-levels give you the best chance to progress onto higher education.

Question 16

What A-levels do I need for medicine?

Accepted Answer

To study medicine, one must possess an A-level qualification in either chemistry or biology, or preferably both.

Question 17

Is this the same qualification I would achieve in a traditional school or college?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You study the same curriculum, take the same examinations, and get the same qualification. The only difference is that the course is specially designed to be studied in your own time, at your own pace.

Question 18

What happens when I am struggling to meet the course timeframe?

Accepted Answer

We understand that things happen in life that might impact your study plans. For example, money, children, and work can often take priority and it is easy to fall behind on your course. Firstly, try not to worry; contact your tutor and let them know about your situation. Your tutor is there to support you and will be able to rearrange targets to make a more realistic timeframe for achieving your qualification.
Student wellbeing is our priority here at Barston, but we cannot help you unless you let us know there is an issue. If you do not want to talk to your tutor about the problem, you can reach our student support team on LiveChat via our website. We will do all we can to help you get back on track to reaching your goals.
If you have a health condition or an immediate problem that is affecting your ability to continue, you should contact our student support team straight away. They may be able to temporarily pause your course so that you can focus on your priorities and then continue studying when you are able to. However, if you reach the end of your course duration and still need more time to complete the work, there will be a fee to extend your tutor support and mark any remaining work.

Question 19

How quickly can I complete my course?

Accepted Answer

Your course will have a set duration, either 6, 12, 18, or 24 months. However, you have the freedom to complete your course in a time frame that suits your personal life and commitments within your course duration time.
If your course is over 12 months, we suggest you aim to submit at least one assignment a month. However, if you complete your assignment before the deadline, your tutor can mark it sooner and, if the work is satisfactory, you will progress ahead of your timeline to complete your course sooner. The ownership is on you to progress at your own pace within your course duration time. We are here to support you throughout this.

Question 20

How much time will it take to complete the course?

Accepted Answer

You typically have 24 months to complete your studies, however you may be able to finish quicker depending on the course you choose and the pace at which you are able to complete all the necessary assessments for the qualification. Please be aware, that GCSEs and A-levels exam times are determined by the curriculum timetable and are fixed dates.

Question 21

When does my student support start?

Accepted Answer

Your student support will start as soon as you have paid for your course and will last for the set duration of your course. Support is available from your tutor and our highly trained administration team who can answer any questions you have. Shortly after enrolling, you will receive the contact details for your tutor and the login details to the learning portal. From then onwards, you can contact your tutor as often as you need to; you can decide how much support is best for you. However, your tutor will not chase you for work. You are required to self-learn and reach out to your tutor for help whenever you need it. If you reach the end of your course duration and you have not completed the work, you can extend your tutor support, but there will be a fee to do so.

Question 22

Can I enrol and start today?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our accredited online courses run all year round, so you can start learning today. Once you have enrolled on your desired course you will have the freedom to study anytime, anywhere and on any device. Barston offers ultra-personalised, award-winning online learning and unlimited student support. Our GCSEs and A-levels courses are subject to curriculum timetables though you can start learning and will have access to the course material as soon as you have enrolled.

Question 23

Is there a time limit to start and finish my course?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all of our courses have time limits, which can be found on each individual course page. However, we understand that life doesn’t always go to plan, which is why we give our students the option to take a six-month study break, totally free of charge. If you simply need a little extra time to complete your assignments, we’ve also got you covered; extension fees are now tiered depending on the cost of your course, starting from £245 for a three-month extension and £345 for six months. If either of these circumstances applies to you, then you can give student support a call on 0121 630 3000 to talk through your options.

Question 24

What if I haven't studied for years?

Accepted Answer

You’re not alone! Plenty of our learners haven’t studied since school, which is one of the reasons we offer unlimited student support. And there’s no need to be intimidated – our course material is designed to be fun and engaging, and our online platform is super easy to use.

Question 25

What skills do I need to enrol on a course?

Accepted Answer

If you don’t have any prior qualifications, don’t worry – with a few exceptions, most of our courses only require a reasonable ability to read and write English.

Question 26

Will I be gaining a real qualification once I have completed the course?

Accepted Answer

You will be awarded a certificate from the official awarding body once you have successfully completed your qualification. This applies to all courses where an external awarding body is mentioned. To find out which awarding body your course is provided by, check the Course Overview section.

Question 27

Is there a required reading list?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, all of the reading material you’ll be required to complete in order to finish your course will be included when you enrol. GCSE and A-level courses may require you to do some additional reading, which will be thrown in as a free downloadable eBook wherever possible.

Question 28

How qualified is my tutor?

Accepted Answer

All Barston tutors have been carefully selected and we only hire the best! Our tutors are required to hold a teaching qualification or an assessment qualification as a minimum. On top of this, they are also expected to hold a Level 3 or above qualification in their subject area of teaching.

Question 29

How do I pay for my course?

Accepted Answer

There’s a variety of flexible payment options available, from PayPal to debit/credit card to interest-free monthly payments. It’s quick and easy to enrol online but if you prefer a little extra guidance, one of our friendly learning advisers can walk you through everything over live chat. We’ve made the payment process easy and hassle-free, with solutions to fit every pocket.

Question 30

Can I enrol on more than one course?

Accepted Answer

Definitely! You can enrol on multiple courses and study a variety of courses at the same time.

Question 31

What if I still have questions?

Accepted Answer

That’s exactly what our dedicated support team is here for! 😊 You can drop us a message in our live chat, or call us on 0121 630 3000 – we would be delighted to help.

Question 32

Can I enrol with low grades?

Accepted Answer

Barston believes everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their dreams. Our learning advisors will be able to guide you through the best course choices in terms of your ability, previous experience and outcome.

Question 33

Is an A-level higher education?

Accepted Answer

No, A-level is not higher education. A-level is level 3 education whereas higher education is Level 4 or above.

Question 34

How to appeal A-level results?

Accepted Answer

To do so, you will need to contact Tutor and Exams directly and follow their appeals process. You can find their contact details here – https://www.tutorsandexams.uk/

Question 35

How much does it cost to do an A-level as an adult?

Accepted Answer

Fees for A-level courses will vary as examinations will incur an extra cost. At Barston, we offer a flexible payment plan that can make the decision to enrol a lot easier.

Question 36

How many A-levels can you take?

Accepted Answer

There is no limit to how many A-levels you can take; however, consider how many you will need for university and the workload for each A-level you take.

Question 37

How long are A-levels?

Accepted Answer

A-levels can take up to two years to complete. However, there are A-level courses available online which can be completed in one year.

Question 38

How do you revise for A-levels?

Accepted Answer

Barston provides a wealth of learning materials for each A-level course. You will have access to textbooks and other learning materials. You will also be appointed a personal tutor to aid with your studies.

Question 39

How do I get my A-level certificates?

Accepted Answer

Your exam centre will post your certificates to the address you submitted on your exam registration form. If you need to update your address, please let us know as soon as possible.

Question 40

How do I find out my A-level results?

Accepted Answer

You will be contacted electronically to find out your A-level results. Alternatively, they can be sent to the address you provided when enrolling on your course.

Question 41

Do you have past papers that I can use to practice for my exams?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have GCSE and A-Level past papers. Our past papers cover a variety of subjects and awarding bodies. We are adding more papers all the time.

Question 42

Can I purchase just the exam?

Accepted Answer

At Barston,  we believe the combination of our unique support and bespoke learning platform allows our students to achieve high pass rates. For this reason, we do not offer exams on their own.

Question 43

Do you need A-levels to go to university?

Accepted Answer

Completing a foundation year is an alternative method of progressing onto higher education. This involves an extra year of study, whereas with A-levels this is not required.

Question 44

Do universities like history A-level?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Both universities and employers highly respect an A-level history qualification.

Question 45

How does distance online learning work?

Accepted Answer

Once you have purchased your desired course, you will have access to our online study platform. Enjoy learning at your own pace, anywhere, anytime by accessing all the course content online, on any device. You will also have access to unlimited student support to help keep your study goals on the right track.

Question 46

When do the courses start?

Accepted Answer

Because this isn’t traditional classroom learning, simply put, you call the shots! When you enrol on a course, you’ll be given a timeframe throughout which you’ll have access to your tutor support and our online platform. The rest is up to you, which allows you to study in your own time, at your own pace.

Question 47

When do I receive my course materials?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you’re enrolled, we will get your course material ready. If you’re studying online, you’ll receive your login to our online learning portal, within 48 hours. For some courses, you’ll also have the option to receive a printed copy of your course materials in the post. If you’ve chosen this option, we’ll aim to get this delivered to your door within 10 working days.

Question 48

How is the course accessed and coursework completed?

Accepted Answer

Our online platform is simple and easy to use. You will have access to all your course material alongside additional resources, assignments and tutor information. You will be sent your login details after your enrolment is confirmed and your course(s) will be ready and available for you to start studying after you log in.
Coursework is simply uploaded for your tutor to mark… no more difficult than uploading a photo to Instagram!

Question 49

What if I want to cancel my course?

Accepted Answer

No stress, we offer a fourteen-day, money-back guarantee. If you wish to cancel your course you will need to email our cancellations team at cancellations@barstoncollege.wpenginepowered.com within 14 days, along with a reason for cancelling, and we will provide you with a full refund.

Question 50

Can you resit A-levels (retake)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you do not achieve your desired grade, resits are available. Resits take place between May and June.

Question 51

Can I do business A-level without GCSE?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you are not required to study business at GCSE to enrol on an A-level business course.

Question 52

Can I do A-levels in one year?

Accepted Answer

Yes. One-year A-level courses are available, requiring one year of intense studies. We offer fast-track courses at Barston. Check out our A-level courses page if you are interested in enrolling.

Question 53

What is an awarding body?

Accepted Answer

An awarding body is a professional organisation that sets the standards of education for different course subjects. They decide on the acceptable standard of work required by learners to achieve certification. At Barston, we have regular external visits from each of the awarding bodies to ensure that we are meeting their criteria as an education provider; this allows us to continue offering their accredited and official qualifications.

Question 54

When will an awarding body send my qualification?

Accepted Answer

Before an awarding body can issue your new certificate, you must successfully complete your studies and pass an assessment and validation process. Simply, your tutor will mark all your work, which will be sent out to an external moderator. The moderator is someone who checks your work against the learning outcomes of your course, pre-set by the awarding body. Outcomes help them identify what qualifications they’ll receive when they graduate. Every student worldwide goes through this process.
Once you’ve passed your assessment, we’ll get in touch with the relevant awarding body to send your certificate. Depending on the awarding body’s availability, this can take a couple of months. However, qualifications have been sent to graduates in as little as a week. Should you require your qualification, let’s say, for a job application, we can send out a confirmation letter. This letter will have your student number and the relevant awarding body to contact to evidence your success.
Learn more about our awarding bodies.

Question 55

What is an assessment?

Accepted Answer

An assessment is how we measure your learning and academic progress throughout the course. The grading of your assessment is determined by how well you have mastered certain target skills required for the task set. Assessments are extremely valuable for tutors as they indicate how much of the course material you have mastered, or if there is anything you have misunderstood. Using this information will allow your tutor to develop your learning plan to keep you on track for achieving a good overall result. Assessments can be in many formats such as multiple-choice questions, quizzes, observations, and witness statements.

Question 56

Are A-levels harder than GCSEs?

Accepted Answer

Since A-levels are level 3 education and GCSEs are level 2, naturally A-levels will present more challenges.

Question 57

Are there any age limits?

Accepted Answer

We’re firm believers that education should be available to everyone, so we welcome students of all ages – in fact, our oldest student is 92! As a guide, our courses are generally designed for students who are above 16, with the exception of GCSEs and Functional Skills, which are created for learners aged 14 and over. You can find more specific age limitations on individual course pages.

Question 58

What is an A-level (what do A-levels stand for)?

Accepted Answer

A-level stands for Advanced Level Qualifications. These internationally recognised qualifications enable students to progress onto higher education or increase their employability prospects.

Question 59

Exam Results: I need to resit my exams, can I enrol with Barston?

Accepted Answer

At Barston, we take enrolments all year round. Once you’re enrolled, you’ll be able to get started right away. Studying online means your work and revision fit around you and your lifestyle. For example, if you have a part-time job or need to study alongside other subjects, you’ll be able to find time to fit our online courses into your schedule.
Enjoy flexible, convenient, affordable learning, fully supported by expert tutors who are passionate about their subjects. We pride ourselves on the quality of our course tutors and know that they hold the key to success. Whatever your goals, dreams or aspirations, Barston is here to help you facilitate them.

Question 60

Exam Results: When will I receive my certificate?

Accepted Answer

Barston students who sat their exams through our partnership exam centres will usually receive their certificates in November. Certificates will be sent out by recorded delivery.

Wondering what to do next? There are so many options available, it’s important to get the right advice. Whether your choice is to continue onto further education, go into job training or get an apprenticeship and whether your grades are high or low – there are always options! Speak to an adviser today to see how we can support you on your next steps…

Question 61

Why study an online A-level course from home?

Accepted Answer

A-levels can be studied from home with Barston, using our online platform. On average we find that students receive 20% higher grades and pass around 30% more quickly than in a traditional college.

Question 62

What can I do with my A-levels?

Accepted Answer

A-levels are a universal way to demonstrate academic competency in a multitude of disciplines. A-levels are subject-based qualifications that lead to either university, further study, training, or work. A-levels serve as a standardised way to demonstrate your academic ability and are very common entry requirements to most higher-level courses.

Question 63

What will you learn on this A-level and GCSE Maths Bundle course?

Accepted Answer

In GCSE maths, you’ll get to grips with algebra and quadratic functions, delve into ratios and proportions, and explore probability and statistics, becoming a whiz at interpreting data sets. At A-level, you’ll move on to more advanced concepts such as exponentials and logarithms, kinematics, and Newton’s laws.

Question 64

Exam Results: I have individual unit marks, but no overall grade. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Check for a cash-in code on your statement of entry. If there isn’t one, cash-in may not have been applied for. Cash-in can be applied for retrospectively from your exam centre and once entered you can expect an overall grade in one week.

A-level Religious Studies

Course Introduction

Choose your learning path

Course Only

Barston Experience

Course Info

Awarding Body: OCR

What you will learn

Unit 1: Ancient Philosophy

Unit 2: Arguments for the Existence of God

Unit 3: Religious Language

Unit 4: Christian Normative Ethics

Unit 5: Secular Normative Ethics

Unit 6: Applied Ethics

Unit 7: Meta Ethics and Conscience

Unit 8: Beliefs and Foundations in Christian Thought

Unit 9: Christian Practices and Development

Unit 10: Christianity in Society

Unit 11: Preparation for the Exam

Course Outcome

Progression Routes

Examinations and Assessments

Exam FAQs

Are exams required to pass the course?

When do exams take place - are there set dates?

Can exams be taken online?

Can you take exams outside of the UK?

Unlimited Student Support™

Homeschool Online Courses

Online learning has never been so easy!

Find out more about what we offer...

Student perks with Barston College

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more information? Chat with a Learning Adviser