Academic and creative intensive one year A level courses, including Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Our fast-track A-level courses begin in September, with exams in Summer 2027. Our applications are open now.
Intensive A-level courses allow students to complete the full course in just one academic year, rather than two. It follows the same curriculum at a faster pace.
Students can take our intensive one-year A-level courses to open up new horizons and strengthen their university application by earning more UCAS points, or to switch to a different path.
Our flexible programmes allow combining new, fast-track A-levels with resits. We help students build a realistic, achievable study plan to get them where they want to be – with top grades and acceptance to first choice universities.
One popularly held misconception that Rochester Independent College debunks with complete and cheerful confidence is that “A levels have to be two year courses”. A levels ranging from the sciences to the arts can be completed successfully in just a single accelerated year of study - as RIC students show with year after year of fantastic, sometimes expectation-exceeding results.
These one year fast track courses are available to students from the age of 17 upwards and it is quite usual for students who are 18, 19 or 20 to begin these intensive courses.
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RIC Specialises in STEM subjects and creative & visual arts. We offer a full range of subjects for intensive one-year courses, with our most popular subjects including:
Contact us for more information on subject availability.
Yes! RIC students studying A levels on intensive one year courses have won places at some of the UK's top universities. These include:
“Rochester College stands for the idea that students mustn’t feel held back by the choices they made at such a young age or regret changing their mind (I mean, it’s a huge pressure we put on such young people to decide what subjects they want to do that might affect the rest of their working life, right?). Hence the one-year intensive courses and retake options.”
Paul Dutton, RIC’s Head of Physics has this advice for students thinking about a one year A level course:
“How can students achieve A level success in one year? You have to bring something to the party: Commitment. In return we offer courses with the flab removed. At RIC we have the expertise to put together a course which distills A levels down to the essentials and ensures that everything you learn is completely relevant to your syllabus. Our programme of regular testing under exam conditions ensures you know exactly how you are performing on a weekly basis. Our generous allocation of lesson time ensures that the one year course is not rushed but paced. One year A Level courses, either from scratch or from a background which is not working at present, are often seen as daunting. With proper planning and management they are achievable.”
Tuition methods at RIC are aimed at helping each student to understand and realise their own potential. Small classes, with a maximum of eight in a group, and the easy accessibility of staff ensure that students receive a great deal of individual help and attention. Regular tests under examination conditions are designed to help those who suffer from ‘examination nerves’ and prepare them for public examinations.
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We provide a supportive environment and focused study plan that makes it possible to achieve more.
Students take weekly practice exams, monitor their progress throughout the year, and receive plenty of dedicated attention in small classes of an average 8 students.
Our tutors are experienced in intensive A-level courses, and every year our students achieve top grades and offers from the UK’s leading universities.
Each student is different, and whether multiple fast-track A-levels are achievable depends on ability and dedication. We take the time to get to know each student and help them build a realistic plan that helps them unlock the future they’re dreaming of.
Some students at RIC combine fast-track A-levels, such as biology and chemistry. Our flexible programmes also allow students to add fast-track A-levels alongside A-level retakes.
Fast track A-levels allow you to save time, increase your UCAS points, and gain the new subjects you need if you’ve set your sights on a different path than when you began your studies.
The advantage of single year A level courses for well qualified international students is that they can move quickly into UK Higher Education, specialising earlier in a way that is more difficult in many international systems or with the IB Diploma.
The range of university options for students with A levels is still much wider than for those following foundation courses and many of our students proceed directly to top universities such as KCL, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Warwick and Imperial after only one year of study at Rochester Independent College.
As an independent, non-traditional college, we offer a relaxed, university-style atmosphere in a modern, campus location just outside London.
Studying fast-track A-levels is fast-paced and requires dedication. Groups in all subjects on one year courses tend to be dynamic and exciting with lots of interaction between students and teachers.
Those aiming for places on highly competitive courses such as Law, Medicine, English and Veterinary Science will find themselves in groups of similarly dedicated students keen to make rapid progress.
The pace is swift and focused on the demands of the examinations. Classroom teaching is supplemented in all subjects by a structured revision programme and regular testing.