paulry

Just a thought. Is it possible for a child to complete their British A levels in Australia and if it is are there any downsides to taking up this option?

Thanks

bluekipper

I dont think its possible, im not too sure, but they can do a bridging course to get into uni in OZ or a test,ive been enquiring for my daughter, shes only done her AS levels,& the school has dropped her subjects so shes gonna do a bridging course

Bluekipper

dave99

A levels dont exsist in oz and are not really recognised. They use a certificate system which ends at certificate 4, people then have the choice of doing diploma and advanced diploma in tafe before going on to university, or they can skip those two and jump straight to uni

Check out a tafe like
http://www.tafe.wa.edu.au/Pages/Default.aspx

for more info

NickyC

I don't think there are any Australian schools or colleges that offer A Levels. You could possibly do them externally via some sort of distance option from a UK establishment.

Downsides? There'd be a few. You'd have to get the A-Levels converted to the Australian Year 12 equivalent in order to study at an Australian Uni. Many Australian employers could have trouble working out what they are and what they mean.

If your child intends to live and work or study in Australia - then it will be much easier for them to have the Australian Year 12 qualification.

ezzie

Presuming that you could study them externally, universities here are well acquainted with A levels and would have no trouble converting them.

System in NSW is GCSE's = School Certificate (which no one cares about)
A levels = HSC. Study 10-12 units. Most subjects equal 2 units, extension subjects = 3 units. This means NSW students study more subjects in less depth. If your daughter has completed her AS levels, she'd probably not need an awful lot more study to sit the HSC in that subject. English is mandatory mind.

Show her the course work: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/

NKSK version 2

Not true.

Gems

The only way I know of doing them is distance learning.

The National Extension college in the UK does AS and Alevel its distance learning from any place in the world. They also do GCSE and IGCE.

I used them years ago and they were excellent and have a very good pass rate and reputation.

You get a big file with all work in it, and send off assignments. Also allocated a tutor who is available if you have problems and marks your assignments etc.

For the exams you can sit it back in the UK or in Australia as a private candidate. This will encounter a fee from the school,college or Uni.

Take a look here, lots of courses on offer for AS and ALevel:

http://www.nec.ac.uk/colleges/catego...tegory_id=3801


Oh, and Australian Uni's accept ALevels for Uni entrance, I checked with Western Australian Unis a while back.

Gems

Smartinis

A Levels are WELL accepted here for entrance to uni, but you will need to apply to the entrance board of the particular state to have them converted into the relevant score. Our eldest son did this 4 years ago, the only drawback is that you will need to have the actual certificates not just the result slip which often aren't available until November in the UK. I remember having to have his couriered out so that he could apply for the following January places. AS levels don't exsist here though and if you don't have the full A level you will need to go back to school and do the relevant VCE, HSC etc.

This is a 2 year course like a levels and it is certainly not recommended that you try and do it in a year, the syllabuses are very different from A levels, you will need to do 6 subjects not the 3 or 4 as with A levels and these will need to include English and usually Maths. You will be graded and ranked against everyone else in the state and will put yourself at a distinct disadvatage if you try and cut corners. It's also not as easy, in fact I'm not sure its even possible to retake it as with A levels if you stuff up, so getting it right first time is essential. Thats without the fact that you will have moved 12000 miles, be settling into a new school, making new friends and wanting some social life. My advice would be do the 2 years, get the VCE or equivalent, make friends and enjoy it. Having done GCSE and AS levels will give you an advantage and you should be able to enjoy your VCE/HSC 's here without too much hassle. Most students actually split their final year subjects over the 2 years, doing 1 or 2 in the first year so that the second year isn't as hard and they can optimise their final score. Ask about this when you look into school, its especially relevant if you've doen AS levels. Our second son came with GCSE's but he still did this and sailed through his VCE.

Its a hard decision but taking the fastest route isn't always the easiest option.

Good luck with your decisions. I'm sure it'll work out for you. Our boys have all loved it, including schooling here.

paulry

Thanks very much for all of your responses.

It does look like the Aussie certificate path is the way to go. We are looking at operating on a 2 year plan for our move to Australia. My eldest has just begun year 10 this September. He's on his schools talented child register and has a fantastic "give it your best" kind of attitude (he must get that from the mum ). so while I'm certain he can adjust well I want to plan his transition to the Australian system so that he achieves a good outcome. The youngest (with equal promise) has just began year 7 so it'll be fairly easy for him to transition in two years time.

ezzie

Fab plan....where are you moving to in Oz?

paulry

Canberra - at least for two years. But probably longer because it has ANU - I understand it's one of the best in the country.

louH

Would it be possible for your son to study the Baccalaureat at Telopea Park School?

paulry

That looks very interesting. Will discuss it with my wife. Thanks

paulry

Unfortunately foreign languages aren't among of his talents , he dropped French as soon as he could. His main strengths are maths and science. But thanks for your suggestion.

It'll probably be best to take him to a few schools in Canberra to discuss it with them when we go for our validation trip next March/April. If we can get a bit of coordination with and between his UK and chosen Canberra schools his transition might be a lot easier.