Has anyone studied for A-level or GCSE while in China?

[ChTTay]

Has anyone signed up for distance learning while in China in order to study for an A Level or a GCSE?

I have recently found out that two exam boards from the UK (EDEXCEL and Cambridge) allow you to sit the tests at various centres in Asia.

I just wondered if anyone has any experience doing any UK based qualifications when in China and can share the experience.

Thanks for your help

[GotJack]

No, but im very much interested in doing this, when i go to china for the year in September. Do you have any links to where you have found information?

[ChTTay]

Edexcel and CIE both have exam centres around the world. AQA only allow you to take exams in the UK.

The British Council is the biggest, most well known company i have found that run the exams, or at least allow you to register in China. Go to this link; http://www.britishcouncil.org/china-exams-school_exams.htm

There are also a load of schools listed on the EdExcel website where, i think, you might be able to sit the exam. Here is the link again:

http://www.edexcel.com/international/north_asia/Pages/CentreListings.aspx

It seems like you could sign up to a distance learning course from the UK, then just take the exam in China rather than in the UK. However, from what I've read so far the distance learning provider charge you about 120 pounds to send you the materials if you are already in China. So if you are in the UK, perhaps sign up in advance and bring the materials. It seems to me that if something is truly "distance" learning they should have all the materials digitized. Also, they usually include the cost of the exam in the fee...not sure this applies to someone sitting it in China.

Hopefully someone will see this who has done it and get back to us. I will see about contacting the British Council and some online learning places. My friend is coming to China in a month so he could bring me some materials if needed, saving me a big postage fee.

Please feedback if you find out more!!!

[liuzhou]

The British Council isn't really a "company". It's a charity largely funded by the UK government. In China, it acts as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing and also the equivalent in in the British consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing.

[shuoshuo]

Does anyone know if it's possible to sit for A'levels as an independent candidate in Shanghai? If yes, where? Thanks.

[ChTTay]

I made a similar post a while back;

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/41066-has-anyone-studied-for-a-level-or-gcse-while-in-china/

[shuoshuo]

Sorry about that. I did a search before I started this topic but somehow your thread didn't come up on the search results. Your thread doesn't seem to have an answer...does that mean you're still searching? Cheers.

[ChTTay]

Yeah, no one replied having done it. However, I found out you can sit exams as an external candidate at British Council centres and at some private schools. I put some links on the other post. They link to Beijing but you should just be able to change the location.

Report back if you end up doing it. I am yet to act on it. Too busy at the moment.

[roddy]

Will merge the two.

[GotJack]

Any success or information feedback with this?