ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING FOR A-LEVELS IN A UK TUTORIAL COLLEGE
Last updated Dec 2020
To sum up, there are many advantages in studying A-level studies in the UK. They include the following:
(1) Save one year, (if join in September of Sec 4 year, or January after their O-levels,) and start university studies one year earlier and earn one more year of income in their life time.
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(2) Better chance of getting 3 or 4 As or A*s because:-
Small class size averaging 10-12 students enables teachers to give personal attention to all students. Also, the teaching style is to encourage discussion, and this will train students to do better in interviews and in their university studies.
Conducive and yet competitive environment which encourages students to give of their best.
Supervised study periods daily which ensures that all work is done up to date.
Weekly tests, giving students feedback of their progress and also regular practice in tackling examination questions in a familiar setting so that the final examinations are no different or more threatening than the weekly tests.
Modular A-level system, which gives students a better chance at getting A/A* grades.
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(3) Better chance of getting into Oxbridge and medical/dental/vet science, and law schools because of the following reasons:-
The application process favours UK-based students as they are already in the UK and it is easier for Admission Tutors to call them for interviews.
UK students have opportunities to visit universities’ Open House during which they can talk to seniors and professors to get a better understanding of the universities and the courses they offer.
UK students are more confident and are more familiar with the British accent. They can handle tough interview questions, and the multi-miniature interviews where practical skills, thinking on the feet, reacting to real life issues, giving one's ethical stands, showing good bedside manners, etc... will be tested
For medical and law students, there are opportunities to attend special workshops and seminars aimed at giving students a taste of life in a medical/law school; meeting seniors to get a first hand knowledge of life as a medic in a particular university; and learning simple medical techniques such as first aid, taking blood pressures, taking blood samples, etc. as well as to attend other special training course, e.g. to learn interview techniques.
Some schools/colleges have a very good track record of having sent many excellent students to certain universities and medical/law schools, and Admission Tutors in these universities are favourably inclined towards students from these colleges.
UK students are acclimatized to the weather whereas students from the Far East who attend interviews in the winter months are physically handicapped.
(4) Learn to be independent, responsible and more confident, and to mature faster, characteristics very important for medical/dental/vet science students and those aspiring for Oxbridge .
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(5) Better chance of getting into Oxford, Cambridge, IUCL, Imperial, LSE, and other top universities for the same reasons as pointed out in point (3) above.
(6) Less stress, as there is no need to do General Paper, second language, project work, H3 papers and lots of CCAs to score points.
(7) More freedom to choose subjects, with more subjects to choose from, and the chance to do triple sciences.
(8) Allowed to take A-level science subjects even if not done in Secondary 4, especially Biology if certain conditions are met.
(9) Exposure to new ways of teaching/learning and get weaned from rote learning, and private tuition, and thus is better preparation for university education.
(10) Enjoy living in a new country and experience a new culture.
(11) Build up an international network, an increasingly important asset in the age of globalisation.