Private candidates

Thinking of sitting exams as a private candidate? Use the JCQ tool to find a centre near you.

JCQ provides this tool to help private candidates find schools, colleges and other educational establishments that may offer assessments in their chosen subjects. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, some centres listed may no longer accept private candidates, and others that do may not appear in the search results.

Please confirm details directly with any centre before making arrangements. Each centre will have its own processes for entering private candidates including setting entry fees, internal deadlines, and any supporting information that may be required. Each centre is also responsible for putting in place any access arrangements.

JCQ does not hold any further information about private centres, and is unable to provide further assistance to private candidates who are looking for a centre. Please also note that JCQ itself is not a centre, and therefore you will not be able to sit exams with us.

Important information:

  • There are a total of 190 centres who have confirmed that they will accept private candidates this year1
  • The search tool will display the entire list, in order of centres that are closest to you
  • Centres in this list are updated once a year, in December/January

Search for a centre

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Okehampton College

Centre ID: 54135
Qualification Type: A level, AS level, GCSE
Awarding Body: AQA, Pearson, WJEC Eduqas
Phone: 01837 650910
View Details

Riviera Tuition

Centre ID: 54450
Qualification Type: A level, AS level, GCSE, Other
Awarding Body: AQA, Pearson
Phone: 01803 414546
View Details

Kilskeery Independent Christian School

Centre ID: 71947
Qualification Type: A level, AS level, GCSE, Other
Awarding Body: Pearson
Phone: 028-8956-1560
View Details

Gordonstoun

Centre ID: 69559
Qualification Type: A level, AS level, GCSE
Awarding Body: AQA, Pearson
Phone: 01343 837837
View Details

What is a private (external) candidate? 

You are a private candidate if you take your exams at an approved school or college (exam centre), without being enrolled as a student there.   

You may be a private candidate if you are: 

  • Home-schooled 
  • Self-taught 
  • Receiving private tuition 
  • Studying through distance learning 
  • A part-time student
  • Resitting an examination

What arrangements do I have to make? 

You will be responsible for making your own exam entries through the centre and paying any fees. Below are the key steps to follow, and we recommend you also visit the website of the relevant awarding organisation(s) for further helpful information: 

Choose your qualification and subjects

Confirm the awarding organisation and if the subject includes coursework or non-exam assessment (NEA) such as practicals. 

Find an approved school or college (exam centre)

Use the Private Candidate search tool above to find an exam centre that accepts private candidates. 

Register with the centre

Provide all the required information and payment of fees.  The school or college will make the exam entry on your behalf. Make sure you receive and check your statement of entry carefully.  

Organise access arrangements (if needed)

If you require extra time, a scribe or reader or other support, you must arrange this with your exam centre at the time you make your entry.  This applies if you have a physical disability, learning disability, or temporary injury.   Your exam centre will be able to advise you on this. More information is available here.  

Check coursework (if applicable)

Some subjects, such as English Language, Sciences, Geography and Art & Design, include coursework or non-exam assessment (NEA). You must check with the exam centre if they will accept and submit coursework / NEA on your behalf. 

Know your exam dates and rules

Familiarise yourself with your exam timetable, and ensure you follow the exam rules and conduct outlined in JCQ’s Instructions for conducting exams, in particular Warning to Candidates and the Information for Candidates sections.   

Special consideration

If your performance is affected by a temporary illness, injury, or unforeseen circumstance on the day of your exam or during an assessment you may be able to apply for a process called special consideration. You must contact the exams officer at the centre where you took your examination or assessment to discuss this with them as soon as possible, ideally on the day of the exam.

Studying overseas 

Can I take my exams and assessments overseas as a private candidate?

If you are studying independently for GCSEs or A levels, you can only take your exams as a private candidate within the UK at an approved school, college or other educational establishment (exam centre).  

This means to sit Level 1 to Level 3 assessments, you must return to the UK if you are entering as a private candidate.  

You can only take Level 1 to Level 3 assessments overseas, if you are enrolled as a student at an approved international school or college.  

If you are studying for iGCSEs, you are usually able to take these exams as a private candidate at an approved international school or college.   

For more information on International GCSEs, visit:

Cambridge International
Pearson Edexcel

  1. Correct at time of publication ↩︎