Worried your online A Level won’t “count”? Here’s what you need to know.

If you’re thinking about studying A Levels online, it’s natural to wonder whether your qualification will be accepted by universities and employers. With so many course providers and mixed information online, this is one of the most important questions to get clear before you enrol.

Let’s break it down simply.

What Does “Recognised” Actually Mean?

When people ask if an A Level is “recognised,” they usually mean:

• Is the qualification accepted by UK universities (including UCAS)?
• Will employers treat it the same as an A Level taken at school or college?
• Is it a “real” qualification, not just a certificate from a private company?

The course you study—whether online or in a traditional school—prepares you for this official exam, but it is not the course provider or the course content that is regulated by Ofqual. The recognition comes from the exam board and the official certificate you receive after passing your exams.

Are Online A Levels “Real” A Levels?

Yes—if you prepare for and sit the exam with a recognised UK exam board.

Online A Level courses are designed to cover the same official syllabus and learning outcomes as those studied in schools or colleges. When you sit the final exams at an approved centre and pass, you receive an official A Level certificate from the exam board.

Your certificate will look exactly the same as someone who attended a traditional school. It does not mention how or where you studied—only the subject, grade, and exam board.

Be wary: Any course that only offers a certificate of completion from the provider and does not prepare you for an exam with a UK exam board is not a recognised qualification.

Do Universities Accept Online A Levels?

Yes—all UK universities, including the Russell Group and Oxbridge, accept A Levels achieved through online study, as long as the qualification is awarded by a recognised UK exam board and is listed on UCAS.

• Online A Levels earn the same UCAS points as those taken in a school or college.
• Your application is treated the same as any other candidate.
• Some highly competitive courses (such as medicine or Oxbridge) may require additional practical assessments or endorsements. Always check specific university requirements.

Universities are interested in your official qualification and grade—not where or how you studied.

Do Employers Accept Online A Levels?

Yes—employers view an official A Level awarded by a UK exam board in exactly the same way, regardless of whether you studied online or in school.

• Your official certificate will not indicate that you studied online.
• Many employers value the self-motivation, organisation, and independence required to complete a qualification through distance learning.

What Should You Check Before You Enrol in an Online A Level?

Make sure that:

• The course prepares you for an Ofqual-regulated A Level qualification awarded by AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, or OCR.
• You will sit your exam at an approved exam centre as a private candidate.
• You will receive a full A Level certificate from the exam board upon passing—not just a “course completion” certificate from the provider.
• The provider gives clear information about booking exams as a private candidate.

Red Flags:

• The provider only offers a certificate of completion, with no pathway to sitting an official exam.
• The course isn’t aligned to an AQA, Edexcel, or OCR specification.
• There’s no mention of exam centres, official exam entry, or UCAS points.

Are Study from Home A Levels Recognised?

Yes! At Study from Home, our A Level courses are written specifically to prepare you for Ofqual-regulated A Level exams with the major UK exam boards (AQA and Edexcel).

• Once you sit and pass your exams, you receive an official certificate identical to those gained at a traditional school or college.
• Your qualification is accepted by all UK universities and employers.
• Each course earns the full UCAS points for university entry.

Quick FAQ: Are Online A Levels Recognised?