A-Level Tutoring
A-Level Tutoring Online — Oxbridge Graduate Tutors, All Boards
Expert 1-to-1 A-Level tutoring across AQA, OCR, Edexcel, and WJEC. Subject-specific guides, board-aware revision plans, and exam technique that targets the A* boundary.
20Subject Guides
AllUK Exam Boards
100%Oxbridge Graduate Tutors
A-Levels are the standard pre-university qualification in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They are sat across four exam boards (AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC), with most subjects assessed by 100% terminal exams over Years 12 and 13. To win competitive offers from Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE and other top universities, students typically need A*A*A or AAA in three facilitating subjects, plus admissions-test performance and a strong personal statement. We help A-Level students build that profile, one tutor at a time.
9.3%
National A* rate
JCQ, summer 2024
27.8%
National A*–A rate
JCQ, summer 2024
4
UK exam boards
AQA · OCR · Edexcel · WJEC
~770k
A-Levels sat each year
JCQ, 2024
A-Level Decision Tool
Pick the Right A-Levels for Your Target Degree
From an admissions perspective: choose your target degree to see required and recommended subjects, a sensible three-subject combination, and typical offers from our covered universities — all sourced from our registries.
Pick a target degree to see which A-Levels you actually need, how important each one is, a sensible three-subject combination, and the typical offers from our covered universities.
A-Levels for Medicine
- Essential
Required by every UK medical school without exception.
University requirements:oxford: Requiredcambridge: Requiredimperial: Requireducl: RequiredView subject guide - Highly recommended
Required by most medical schools. A small number accept it as "recommended" but studying without Biology makes the first year very difficult.
University requirements:oxford: Recommendedcambridge: Requiredimperial: Requireducl: RequiredView subject guide - Useful
Not required by most medical schools but demonstrates quantitative ability. Some schools list it as a "preferred" third subject.
University requirements:oxford: Recommendedcambridge: AcceptedView subject guide - Useful
Accepted by all medical schools. Useful for understanding medical imaging and biophysics.
University requirements:oxford: AcceptedView subject guide - Avoid as a third subject
Accepted but offers no advantage. Taking Further Maths instead of a broader third subject does not strengthen a medical school application.
View subject guide
A sensible three-subject combination
ChemistryBiologyMathematics
Built from the essential and recommended subjects above. Your third subject is often free, so choose another strong academic subject you enjoy.
Typical offers (covered universities)
| University of Oxford | Medicine | A*AA |
| University of Cambridge | Medicine | A*A*A |
| Imperial College London | Medicine | A*AA (with A* in Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics) |
| University of Cambridge | Veterinary Medicine | A*AA |
| University of Cambridge | Medicine Graduate Course | 2:1 (or above) in any honours degree |
| University of Edinburgh | Veterinary Medicine | AAA |
| University of Edinburgh | Medicine | AAA |
| King's College London | Medicine (MBBS) | A*AA |
| University of St Andrews | Medicine | AAA |
| University College London | Medicine (MBBS) | A*AA |
Offers are the published typical A-Level offer for each course. Always confirm against the official course page before you apply.
Before you choose
- Do NOT claim Biology is universally required for Medicine. Oxford, for example, lists it as "recommended" rather than "required." Always check specific university requirements.
- The third A-Level subject is genuinely open for most medical schools. Do not claim specific third subjects are "better" without citing university-specific evidence.
- General Studies and Critical Thinking are NOT accepted as one of the three A-Levels by most medical schools. Flag this clearly.
What this tool does not show
Exact grade thresholds per university, per-board grade boundaries, and which specific modules to pick are not standardised and change yearly. We deliberately do not estimate them. Use the official course pages and exam-board specifications linked in each subject card below, or book a consultation for a tailored plan.
Why A-Level Grades Are the Foundation of UK University Applications
Every UK university — and most US, Canadian, and European universities — accepts A-Levels as the primary measure of pre-university academic ability. Grades drive offers; offer profiles drive interview shortlists at Oxbridge and Imperial. A drop from a predicted A* to an A in your strongest subject can move you from a likely offer to a near-miss. That is why subject-specific, exam-board-specific tutoring is the highest-leverage academic investment a student can make.
Our A-Level tutors achieved A*A*A or better at A-Level themselves, went on to read their subjects at Oxford, Cambridge and other leading universities, and now coach students sitting the same papers they sat. They know the specification, the mark scheme, and the examiner reports. They understand the difference between a 70-mark answer and a 75-mark answer in OCR Chemistry, or how AQA History rewards explicit historiography in essays.
How A-Level Tutoring Works at Oxbridge Mentors
Every session is 1-to-1, online, and matched to your exact exam board. The first session diagnoses the gap between current and target grade. From there, your tutor builds a focused plan: targeted topic deep-dives, mark-scheme drilling, timed past-paper practice, and end-of-month progress checks. Sessions include shared notes and short follow-up exercises. Most students see a meaningful uplift in mock performance within 6–8 weeks.
For applicants to competitive universities, A-Level tutoring sits inside a wider plan. We coordinate with admissions support: super-curricular reading, personal statements, admissions tests (ESAT, TMUA, TARA, UCAT, LNAT, STEP), and interview preparation.
Subject Guides
Every A-Level Subject We Tutor
Search by name, pick a category, or click "Show all" to see every A-Level subject guide.
Type a course name or UCAS code, choose a filter, or click "Show all".
Compare Subjects: Difficulty, A* Rates & Exam Boards
Each card shows the national A* rate (with its year), assessment structure, and official spec and past-paper links for every exam board — drawn from our A-Level registry.
A-Level Mathematics
Challenging- National A* rate
- 16.7% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 7+ in GCSE Mathematics strongly recommended; Grade 6 minimum at most sixth forms
Wanted by
EngineeringComputer ScienceEconomicsMathematicsPPENatural Sciences
A-Level Further Mathematics
Very challenging- National A* rate
- 28.9% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 6–8 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: Must be taken alongside A-Level Mathematics; strong GCSE Maths (Grade 8–9) expected
Wanted by
EngineeringComputer ScienceEconomicsMathematics
A-Level Physics
Very challenging- National A* rate
- 11.2% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam (plus separate practical endorsement)
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No · Practical endorsement
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE Physics (or Combined Science). Grade 7+ in GCSE Mathematics strongly recommended
Wanted by
EngineeringNatural Sciences
A-Level Chemistry
Very challenging- National A* rate
- 9.5% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam (plus separate practical endorsement)
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No · Practical endorsement
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE Chemistry (or Combined Science). Grade 6+ in GCSE Mathematics recommended
Wanted by
MedicineNatural Sciences
A-Level Biology
Challenging- National A* rate
- 9.0% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam (plus separate practical endorsement)
- Independent study
- 5–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No · Practical endorsement
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE Biology (or Combined Science). Grade 5+ in GCSE Mathematics recommended
Wanted by
MedicineNatural Sciences
A-Level Computer Science
Challenging- National A* rate
- 5.9% (2025)
- Assessment
- 80% exam, 20% NEA coursework
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- Yes
GCSE prerequisite: GCSE Computer Science helpful but not always required; Grade 6+ in GCSE Mathematics strongly recommended
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Economics
Challenging- National A* rate
- 7.5% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 4–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: No GCSE Economics required. Grade 6+ in GCSE Mathematics strongly recommended
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Geography
Moderate- National A* rate
- 6.2% (2025)
- Assessment
- 80% exam, 20% NEA fieldwork investigation
- Independent study
- 4–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- Yes · Fieldwork
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 5+ in GCSE Geography recommended but not always required
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Psychology
Moderate- National A* rate
- 5.8% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 4–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: No GCSE Psychology required. Grade 5+ in GCSE English and Grade 5+ in GCSE Mathematics both recommended
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Sociology
Moderate- National A* rate
- 5.6% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 4–5 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: No GCSE Sociology required. Grade 5+ in GCSE English recommended for essay skills
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Politics
Moderate- National A* rate
- 8.3% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 4–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: No GCSE prerequisite. Grade 5+ in GCSE English recommended for essay skills
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level History
Challenging- National A* rate
- 6.0% (2025)
- Assessment
- 80% exam, 20% coursework
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- Yes
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE History recommended. Strong GCSE English (Grade 6+) important for essay writing
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level English Literature
Challenging- National A* rate
- 9.2% (2025)
- Assessment
- 80% exam, 20% coursework
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- Yes
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE English Literature. Grade 6+ in GCSE English Language also recommended
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Philosophy
Challenging- National A* rate
- 4.6% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 4–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: No GCSE prerequisite. Grade 6+ in GCSE English recommended for analytical essay writing
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Latin
Very challenging- National A* rate
- 24.5% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: GCSE Latin (Grade 6+) strongly recommended. Very difficult to start from scratch at A-Level
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Classical Civilisation
Moderate- National A* rate
- 5.1% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam
- Independent study
- 4–5 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: No GCSE prerequisite. Grade 6+ in GCSE English recommended. No knowledge of Latin or Greek required
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level French
Challenging- National A* rate
- 11.6% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam (includes speaking component)
- Independent study
- 5–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE French strongly recommended. Grade 7+ for competitive university applications
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Spanish
Challenging- National A* rate
- 10.5% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam (includes speaking component)
- Independent study
- 5–6 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE Spanish strongly recommended. Grade 7+ for competitive university applications
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level German
Challenging- National A* rate
- 16.5% (2025)
- Assessment
- 100% exam (includes speaking component)
- Independent study
- 5–7 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- No
GCSE prerequisite: Grade 6+ in GCSE German strongly recommended. Grade 7+ for competitive university applications
Subject guide & tutoringA-Level Art and Design
Challenging- National A* rate
- 15.9% (2025)
- Assessment
- 60% coursework, 40% externally set assignment
- Independent study
- 8–12 hours
- Coursework / NEA
- Yes · Practical endorsement
GCSE prerequisite: GCSE Art (Grade 6+) strongly recommended. Portfolio of work may be reviewed at enrolment
Subject guide & tutoringExam Boards
AQA, OCR, Edexcel and WJEC: How They Differ
All four boards are JCQ-regulated, so a Grade A from one is treated identically to a Grade A from another by universities. The differences are in question style and assessment weighting — that is what specialist tutoring optimises for.
AQA
Largest market share. Synoptic question style. Maths and sciences widely sat.
Best for: Schools running combined-science routes; students who prefer essay-style assessment in humanities.
Edexcel
Predictable, structured papers with detailed mark schemes. Strong for Maths and Economics.
Best for: Students who thrive with clear question patterns and explicit mark allocation.
OCR
Often more demanding question style — particularly OCR A in Chemistry and Maths. Strong international footprint.
Best for: Students aiming at the top end and those preparing for STEP or TMUA alongside A-Levels.
WJEC / Eduqas
Welsh-medium and English-medium options. Distinctive structure in English Literature and Religious Studies.
Best for: Students at Welsh schools or those sitting WJEC subject specifications by school choice.
Each subject guide above includes a full exam-board comparison with paper count, total exam hours, A* rates, and our recommendation for your target grade.
Getting Started
How A-Level Tutoring Works
1
Free Consultation
Tell us your subject, exam board, current grade and target. We listen carefully and explain the realistic plan to close the gap.
2
Matched With a Specialist
We pair you with an Oxbridge graduate tutor who specialises in your exact subject and board — never a generalist.
3
Diagnosed, Planned, Improved
First session diagnoses the gap; a written plan follows. Most students see meaningful mock-grade movement within 6–8 weeks.
Beyond the Grades
A-Levels into Top University Offers
Strong A-Level grades are the foundation of every competitive offer. We connect curriculum tutoring to admissions support so that your A* paperwork is matched by an admissions strategy that lands the offer.
Choosing the Right Path
A-Level vs IB vs AP: Which Suits You?
A-Levels are the standard UK qualification; IB and AP are international alternatives. Each plays differently in admissions.
| Dimension | A-Level | IB Diploma | AP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjects taken | 3 (sometimes 4) | 6 + core | Typically 3–8 |
| Depth vs breadth | Depth in 3 | Balanced breadth + depth (HL) | Modular by subject |
| Top grade | A* | 7 / Bonus 3 | Score 5 |
| Coursework | Limited (NEA in some) | Substantial (IA + EE) | Mostly exam-based |
| Best for UK applications | Strongest recognised signal | Excellent (incl. Oxbridge) | Accepted but typically requires 5+ APs at score 5 |
| Best for US applications | Accepted; A* may earn credit | Excellent | Native qualification — credit common |
A-Level Tutoring: Frequently Asked Questions
A-Levels are graded A*, A, B, C, D, E (pass) and U (unclassified). Boundaries are set each year by JCQ-regulated boards (AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC). In 2024 the national A* rate was 9.3% and the A*–A rate was 27.8% across all subjects (JCQ).
There is no consistently "easiest" board. Boundaries are normalised so that achieving a given grade is comparable across boards in the same subject. Boards differ on style — AQA tends to be more synoptic in sciences, OCR favours structured questions, Edexcel often has more predictable mark schemes. We help students play to the style of the board they sit.
Oxbridge prefers "facilitating" subjects: Maths, Further Maths, the three sciences, English Literature, History, Geography, Modern and Classical Languages. Some courses have hard requirements (e.g. Cambridge Maths typically requires Further Maths if available). Always check the specific course page.
Three A-Levels are sufficient for almost every UK university course, including Oxbridge. A fourth A-Level is only worthwhile when it is Further Maths (for Maths/Engineering applicants) or genuinely strengthens a niche application. Quality over quantity.
Pricing varies by tutor experience and subject. Our A-Level packages start from over £50 per session with Oxbridge graduate tutors. We offer free consultations to recommend the right tutor for your subject, board, and target grade.
Yes. Retakes can be sat in the next exam series and are accepted by most universities, though Medicine and a few competitive courses may treat retake offers more strictly. We support retake students with a focused gap-filling plan.
Most A-Level exams sit between mid-May and late June. Results day is the third Thursday of August. Practical endorsements for sciences are completed during the year by the school.
Yes — UCAS predictions (issued by your school in autumn of Year 13) determine which offers you can realistically receive. Strong predictions plus competitive admissions tests open Oxbridge interview shortlists.
Sessions are 1-to-1 over video, typically 60 minutes, using a shared whiteboard for working. Your tutor sets short follow-up tasks after each session. We match by subject, exam board, and target grade.
A-Level Maths assumes Grade 7+ at GCSE, introduces formal calculus, and demands proof and rigour. The pace is roughly double, and many students find the first term of Year 12 the hardest jump in their schooling.
A facilitating subject is one historically published by the Russell Group as opening the widest set of degree pathways: Maths, Further Maths, English Literature, the three sciences, History, Geography, Modern Languages, and Classics. It is no longer formally listed but the principle still guides Oxbridge admissions.
Yes for many subjects (Economics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Classical Civilisation). Sciences, Maths, Further Maths and Modern Languages essentially require the GCSE foundation.
Active recall and spaced repetition beat passive re-reading. Past papers under timed conditions, then mark-scheme self-marking, are the highest-yield revision activity in the final 8 weeks.
We tutor students sitting A-Levels independently or as private candidates. Your tutor can guide entry-board choice, NEA submission requirements, and exam-centre booking.
Yes. Most US universities accept three or four strong A-Levels in lieu of AP exams, often with credit for grades A or A*. Ivy League universities consider A-Levels alongside SAT/ACT.
Yes — many graduate-scheme employers (especially in finance, law, and consulting) screen on A-Level grades, often requiring AAB or above regardless of degree class.