If you’re thinking about retaking your A Levels, your decision probably hinges on one key piece of information: how much does it cost to resit A Levels? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here, we’ll break down the typical costs you’ll face – from course fees to exam fees – and help you work out the most cost-effective route for your situation.
How Much Does It Cost to Retake A Levels?
Exactly how much it costs to retake your A Levels will depend on lots of different factors, including:
- Your sixth form or college
- How old you are
- Whether you decide to retake as a private candidate
- Your exam centre
- Which exam board your subjects use
- Your location
- How many subjects you’re retaking
Tuition Fees
When it comes to retaking your A Levels, you’ll typically have three routes to choose from:
- Return to study at your original school or college
- Study at an alternative college
- Retake your A Levels as a private candidate
Option 1: Returning to Your School or Sixth Form
If you’re under 19, your sixth form or college may agree to let you retake your whole year for free.
However, there’s no guarantee and often, you’ll need to pay tuition fees to retake your A Levels at a school or college.
Typical costs at state sixth forms/colleges:
- Free if under 19 and retaking immediately after first attempt (some exceptions apply)
- May need to pay exam fees even if tuition is free
- Check with your specific school/college about their policy
Option 2: Private Sixth Form Colleges
Tuition fees at independent colleges can vary massively depending on where you choose to study.
Typical costs (2025-2026):
- £5,000 to £15,000+ per year for full-time A Level retake courses
- £1,500 to £3,500 per subject for part-time or single subject retakes
- Intensive one-year courses often cost more than two-year programs
Examples of private college costs:
- Westminster Tutors: Fees vary by number of subjects (typically £15,000-£25,000+ for full programs)
- Ashbourne College: Around £13,750 per term for international students (2025/2026)
- Other London independent colleges: £15,000-£30,000 per year
These fees can add up quickly – especially if you need to retake several subjects!
What’s usually included:
- Tuition in small classes
- Study materials
- Pastoral support
- UCAS guidance
- Access to facilities
- Sometimes exam fees (check carefully)
Option 3: Online Courses
Online A Level courses offer a more affordable and flexible alternative.
Typical costs (2025-2026):
- £299 to £599 per subject for self-paced online courses
- Exam fees separate: £270-£410 per subject additional
- Total per subject: £569 to £1,009
Examples:
- CloudLearn: £399 per course + exam fees (£270-£410)
- ICS Learn: Under £350 for self-paced learning with tutor support
- Other distance learning providers: £300-£800 per subject
Benefits of online courses:
- More affordable than private colleges
- Study at your own pace
- Flexible scheduling
- Usually includes tutor support
- No travel costs
Option 4: Self-Study as a Private Candidate
You could choose to retake your A Levels as a private candidate and avoid course fees entirely.
Costs:
- Course fees: £0 (you study independently)
- Exam fees: Still required (see below)
- Resources: You’ll need to source textbooks, past papers, etc.
However, we wouldn’t recommend going it completely alone.
Instead, consider combining with private tutoring:
An A Level tutor can level up your knowledge and improve your exam technique in just an hour or two a week.
They’ll keep you on track, hold you accountable, and help you wrap your head around any difficult concepts to ensure you reach your full potential in your retakes.
A Level tutor prices can vary depending on the subject and your tutor’s level of experience. However, you’re looking at an average rate of £41.88 per hour.
Example cost calculation for self-study with tutoring:
For one subject retake:
- 10 hours of tutoring: £420 (at average rate)
- Exam fees: £350-£600 (see below)
- Study materials: £50-£100
- Total: £820-£1,120 per subject
This can work out cheaper than college courses while still giving you expert support.
Exam Fees
As well as tuition fees, you’ll also have to factor in exam fees, which are paid directly to your chosen exam centre.
Important: Some courses and colleges will include your exam fee in the cost of your course fees. But this can vary depending on the setup, so make sure to check.
Exam Fee Breakdown (2025-2026)
If you need to pay your own exam fees as a private candidate:
Per subject costs:
- Exam entry fee: £270 to £600+ per subject
- Admin/registration fee: £50 to £150+ per subject
- Total per subject: £320 to £750+
Factors affecting exam fee costs:
- Exam board (AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR, WJEC Eduqas)
- Subject (sciences and languages often cost more)
- Exam centre location (London typically more expensive)
- Number of papers (most A Levels have 2-3 papers)
- Timing (late entries cost significantly more)
Examples of specific exam centre costs:
Westminster Tutors (London):
- Own students: £350 per subject
- Private candidates: £600 per subject
- Late entries: Fees double after 15 February deadline
CloudLearn private centres:
- Chemistry: £530 (exam fees)
- Science practicals: £1,150 (additional if required)
Regional exam centres:
- Typically £270-£400 per subject
- Admin fees: £50-£100 per subject
Important timing deadlines:
Most exam centres have tiered deadlines with increasing costs:
- Early bird (November-January): Lowest fees
- Standard entry (usually by early February): Standard fees
- Late entry (February-March): +£100 to £240 additional
- Very late entry (March-April): +£240+ additional
Missing deadlines can literally double your costs, so plan ahead!
Shopping Around for Exam Centres
If you’re planning to resit your A Levels as a private candidate, it’s always worth ringing around several exam centres in your area to compare:
- Exam entry fees
- Admin/registration fees
- What’s included
- Deadlines
- Whether they accept private candidates
- Availability of your specific subjects
Not all exam centres accept private candidates, so call ahead before assuming you can book.
Total Cost Examples for Different Routes
Here are some realistic cost breakdowns for different retake routes:
Example 1: One Subject Retake (Biology)
| Route | Breakdown | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Route A – State sixth form (under 19) | Tuition: £0 (if accepted for free) Exam fees: £0-£350 (may be covered or may need to pay) |
£0 to £350 |
| Route B – Private candidate with tutor | Tuition: £0 Private tutoring: £420 (10 hours at £42/hour) Exam fees: £450 (£350 exam + £100 admin) Materials: £75 |
£945 |
| Route C – Online course | Online course: £399 Exam fees: £400 |
£799 |
| Route D – Private college | Tuition: £2,500 (single subject) Exam fees: Often included |
£2,500 |
Example 2: Three Subject Retake (Maths, Physics, Chemistry)
| Route | Breakdown | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Route A – State sixth form (under 19) | Tuition: £0 (if accepted for free) Exam fees: £0-£1,050 (may need to pay) |
£0 to £1,050 |
| Route B – Private candidate with tutor | Tutoring: £1,260 (10 hours per subject at £42/hour) Exam fees: £1,350 (£450 per subject × 3) Materials: £150 |
£2,760 |
| Route C – Online courses | Online courses: £1,197 (£399 × 3) Exam fees: £1,200 |
£2,397 |
| Route D – Private college | Full-time course: £18,000 Exam fees: Usually included |
£18,000 |
What Is the Cheapest Way to Retake A Levels?
The cheapest way to retake A Levels will depend on your unique circumstances.
If You’re Under 19:
Cheapest option: Return to your state sixth form or college
- Cost: Potentially free, or just exam fees
- Requirements: Must be under 19, accepted back by the school
- Considerations: May need to repeat the full year, less flexibility
If You’re 19 or Over, or Can’t Return to School:
Most affordable options:
1. Self-study as private candidate (£320-£750 per subject just for exams)
- Cheapest but requires strong self-discipline
- No structured support
2. Online courses (£569-£1,009 per subject total)
- Good balance of affordability and support
- Flexible scheduling
- Tutor support included
3. Private tutoring + self-study (£820-£1,120 per subject)
- Targeted support where you need it
- More flexible than full courses
Most expensive option: Private colleges (£5,000-£30,000 per year)
- Most support and structure
- Best for students who need intensive help
Important consideration:
Just bear in mind that the last thing you want to do is pay for a resit without investing in the support you need to improve on your grades.
The cheapest option isn’t always the best if it doesn’t give you the help you need to actually improve your results.
Choose the right route for you – not just the cheapest.
With that in mind, whatever route you choose, we’d always recommend getting tailored help and support from a private A Level tutor.
They’ll be able to give you the one-on-one attention and tailored learning plans you need to help you reach your full potential – even if you only have the budget for a few sessions.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond tuition and exam fees, budget for:
1. Study Materials
- Textbooks: £25-£40 per subject
- Revision guides: £10-£20 per subject
- Past papers: Free online or £10-£15 printed collections
- Online resources: £0-£50 (many free options available)
- Total: £35-£125 per subject
2. Travel Costs (if not studying online)
- Daily travel to college: £50-£200+ per month
- Travel to exam centre: £10-£50 per exam day
3. Accommodation (if studying away from home)
- Homestay/accommodation near private colleges: £800-£1,500+ per month in London
4. Resit-Specific Costs
- UCAS application fee (if applying to uni again): £27.50 (one choice) or £27.50 (multiple choices as of 2025)
- Access arrangements (if you need extra time, etc.): £50-£150 additional processing fees at some centres
Is It Worth the Cost to Resit A Levels?
So, is it worth the cost to resit A Levels? It all depends on your goals and what you hope to achieve.
When It’s Probably NOT Worth It:
- You’ve already got the grades you need for your first-choice university
- You’re only improving from B to A for prestige (and don’t need it for your course)
- You can take an alternative route (foundation year, different course, etc.)
- The financial burden would cause significant hardship
When It IS Worth It:
- You’ve failed your A Levels or got U/E grades
- You missed the grades needed for your chosen university/course
- Your target course has specific grade requirements you didn’t meet
- You know exactly what went wrong and how to improve
- You’re willing to put in the hard work needed
- Your career aspirations genuinely require those grades
Time Considerations:
It’s not just the cost of resitting your exams you’ll have to worry about – you’ll also need to wait until the next exam season before resitting your A Levels.
A Level exams are typically held:
- Summer session: May/June (main exam period)
- Autumn series: No longer available for most A Levels in UK
This means if you got your results in August 2025, you’ll be resitting in May/June 2026 – almost a full year later.
This could be frustrating if you need to put other plans on hold (gap year, employment, etc.).
The Key Question: Will You Actually Improve Your Grades?
Without these factors, you might get similar results and waste time and money:
- Identify exactly what went wrong the first time
- Address those issues (through tutoring, different study methods, etc.)
- Put in significantly more work than before
- Practice extensively with past papers
- Develop better exam technique
How to Maximize Your Chances of Improvement
If you decide resitting is worth it, here’s how to make sure you actually improve:
1. Analyze What Went Wrong
- Get your exam scripts back (request from exam board)
- Identify specific topics where you lost marks
- Understand whether issues were knowledge gaps, exam technique, or time management
- Be honest about how much work you actually put in
2. Choose the Right Support
- If you had knowledge gaps: Get a tutor or enroll in a structured course
- If you had time management issues: Practice timed past papers extensively
- If you had exam anxiety: Work with someone on exam technique and stress management
3. Create a Structured Study Plan
- Start early (ideally September for June exams)
- Set specific weekly goals
- Do regular past papers under timed conditions
- Track your progress
4. Invest Appropriately
- Don’t go for the cheapest option if you need significant support
- Consider mixing methods (e.g., online course + some tutoring for difficult topics)
- Remember: you’re investing in your future
Find a Tutor to Help You Resit Your A Levels
There’s no point in resitting your A Levels if you don’t improve on your grades. So, investing in the right support is crucial.
Our handpicked A Level tutors are experts at bringing every subject to life. They’ll give you the one-on-one attention you won’t get elsewhere and tailor their teaching to your strengths, weaknesses, and learning style.
What makes tutoring effective for retakes:
- Targeted support: Focus precisely on your weak topics
- Exam technique: Learn how to maximize marks
- Accountability: Regular sessions keep you on track
- Flexible: Fit around your schedule
- Efficient: Address specific issues quickly
In this way, they’ll help you reach your full potential so you can achieve your goals and take the next step in your education or career.
Simply browse our A Level tutors to get started, or sign up to receive £25 credit towards your first lesson.
FAQs
As a private candidate, it typically costs between £320 and £750+ per subject to resit your A Levels in 2025-2026.
This breaks down as:
- Exam entry fee: £270-£600 per subject
- Admin/registration fee: £50-£150 per subject
Exact costs vary by:
- Exam centre
- Location (London typically more expensive)
- Subject (sciences often cost more)
- Exam board
- Timing (late entries cost significantly more)
Pro tip: Shop around different exam centres and book early to get the best prices.
Yes, most universities will accept resits – even top Russell Group institutions.
However:
- Some competitive courses (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science at Oxford/Cambridge) may not accept resits unless there are strong mitigating circumstances
- Some universities require higher grades for resit applicants (e.g., AAA instead of ABB)
- Always check specific course requirements at your target universities
Good news: Most universities understand that students resit for various reasons and will consider your application fairly.
Some universities will even keep your offer open for the following year if you need to resit. However, if not, you’ll need to apply again through UCAS.
Yes, potentially – but only in specific circumstances.
Free resit eligibility:
- You’re under 19 years old
- You’re retaking immediately the year after your first attempt
- Your school/college agrees to let you repeat the year
- You attend a state sixth form or college (not private)
However:
- There’s no guarantee – schools have their own policies
- Even if tuition is free, you may need to pay exam fees
- Some schools don’t accept resit students due to capacity
Ask your school/college directly to find out whether they’d be able to cover your course fees, exam fees, or both.
If you don’t qualify: Consider online courses (£569-£1,009 per subject) or self-study with tutoring (£820-£1,120 per subject) as more affordable alternatives to private colleges.
Based on 2025 data, subjects with the lowest C grades and above are:
- Law: 64.2% achieved grade C or above
- Computing: 67.9% achieved grade C or above
- Physics: 70.2% achieved grade C or above
- Biology: 71.1% achieved grade C or above
- Physical Education: 70.3% achieved grade C or above
Technically, an E grade or above is a pass at A Level – and 97.4% of students passed in 2025 (achieving E or above).
However, most universities require C grades or above, making these subjects particularly challenging for achieving university entry requirements.
That depends on your goals.
It IS worth it if:
- You failed (got U/E grades) and need passes for university/career
- You missed required grades for your chosen university/course
- The investment will genuinely open doors for your career/education
- You understand what went wrong and can address it
- You’re willing to put in significantly more work
It’s probably NOT worth it if:
- You already have grades sufficient for your plans
- You’d be improving marginally (e.g., B to A) without needing it
- Alternative routes exist (foundation year, different course, etc.)
- Financial burden would be excessive
Bottom line: Resitting is worth it when it’s necessary for your goals and you’re committed to actually improving. Invest in proper support (tutoring, courses) to ensure you don’t waste time and money getting the same results.
Yes, absolutely. You can resit:
- Just one subject
- Multiple subjects
- Individual papers within a subject (though whole qualification resits are more common)
Costs for single subject resits:
- Online course: £569-£1,009 total
- Private college: £1,500-£3,500
- Private candidate with tutoring: £820-£1,120
- Just exam fees (self-study): £320-£750
This flexibility means you can target only the subjects that need improvement, reducing costs.
Main A Level exam period: May/June each year
Important: The autumn A Level exam series was discontinued for most UK specifications. This means:
- If you get results in August 2025, you’ll resit in May/June 2026
- This is approximately 10 months later
- Plan for this wait when making decisions
Exceptions: Some international A Level specifications (Cambridge International, Edexcel International) offer October/November or January exam series, but most UK schools and exam centres don’t offer these.
Options if cost is prohibitive:
1. Advanced Learner Loan (if over 19):
- Government loans available for Level 3 qualifications
- No credit check required
- Doesn’t depend on household income
- Repay only when earning over threshold
2. Self-study as private candidate:
- Just pay exam fees (£320-£750 per subject)
- Use free online resources
- Buy used textbooks
- Form study groups with other resit students
3. Scholarships at private colleges:
- Some colleges offer 30-60% discounts
- Based on academic merit or financial need
- Ask colleges directly about availability
4. Part-time work while studying online:
- Online courses allow flexible scheduling
- Work to fund your resits
- May take longer but more affordable
5. Consider alternatives to resitting:
- Foundation years at university
- Access to HE courses
- BTECs or other Level 3 qualifications
- Apprenticeships
Don’t let cost alone prevent you from achieving your goals – explore all options and funding sources.
All costs in this article are based on 2025-2026 pricing and represent typical ranges. Always check with specific institutions and exam centres for exact current costs, as prices can vary and change annually.
