Typical Costs of Home Educating Through GCSEs and A-levels

Exam Fees

The most significant cost for home-educated students is registering for exams as a private candidate. Private candidates must sit their exams at approved exam centres, and each exam comes with a fee. The cost can vary depending on the exam centre, the exam board, and the subject. Exam entry fees typically range from £100 to £200 per subject. Some subjects with additional components, such as practicals or coursework, may cost more.

Exam Centre Costs

Some exam centres may charge additional administrative fees for processing private candidates, especially if the subject involves practical assessments or coursework. These fees can vary by centre, so it is important to enquire early. Administrative fees can range from £20 to £100 or more, depending on the centre and the level of support it offers.

Practical Course Costs.

Completing the required practicals for GCSE and A-level Science subjects can be challenging for home-educated students, as these experiments are an essential part of the curriculum. However, some centres specialise in offering practical science sessions for home-educated students, providing the necessary equipment, lab facilities, and expert supervision to ensure these practicals meet the exam board’s requirements. These centres typically offer structured sessions where students can complete all their required practicals over several days, guided by experienced tutors or lab technicians. This setup helps students gain hands-on experience with scientific experiments and ensures that the practical endorsements for A-level sciences or required practicals for GCSEs are completed and appropriately assessed. Using such a centre can give home-educated students the opportunity to engage with practical science in a controlled, professional environment without the need to manage lab work at home.

Tutors and Online Courses

While many home-educating parents feel confident teaching their children themselves, some choose to hire tutors for specific subjects, especially for more challenging areas like Maths, Science, or foreign languages. Private tutors can be an excellent resource, but they can also be one of the most expensive aspects of home education.

Tutoring fees: Typically range from £20 to £50 per hour, depending on the tutor's qualifications and experience. Over a year, this can become a substantial investment, especially if multiple subjects require tutoring.

Online courses or group classes: Some families use structured online courses, which can range from £100 to £500 per subject. These often provide live or recorded lessons, assignments, and feedback, which can help with GCSE preparation.

Free or Low-Cost Resources

Many free educational resources are available online, which can significantly reduce costs. Platforms like BBC Bitesize, Khan Academy, and OpenLearn offer a wealth of free material across many subjects. Please ensure that anything you use is exam board board specific so your child is learning the correct content and that it is UK focused. Khan Academy is based in America and often uses American terms that will not get credit in UK exams.

Libraries can be a great source of textbooks and revision guides, reducing the need to purchase new materials.

Some home education groups or networks may offer free or low-cost shared resources or group classes, helping to lower overall costs.

Home Education Networks and Support Groups

Joining home education groups, both locally and online, can connect you with other families who may be sharing resources, providing group classes, or offering exam preparation at a reduced cost. Many home education communities offer collaborative learning opportunities that can cut down the cost of individual tutoring or classes.