Welcome to the Swansea College Exam Centre

At Swansea College, we welcome private and external candidates. Whether you are home-educated, taking resits, studying via distance learning, or a mature learner, our Exams Officer is here to support you with your exam entries.

Our examination services have helped students across the UK and internationally to achieve GCSEs, IGCSEs, and A Levels.

We offer exam entries with the following awarding bodies:
WJEC, AQA, Pearson Edexcel, and Cambridge International (CAIE).

Not sure which exams are right for you? Arrange an online meeting with our Exams Team to discuss your options and get tailored advice.

Exam Access Arrangements

Swansea College is committed to inclusion and equality. Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs) are available for candidates with:

  • Special educational needs (SEN)

  • Disabilities

  • Long-term illnesses

  • Temporary injuries

Arrangements may include the use of a reader, scribe, extra time (usually 25%), or a computer, among other reasonable adjustments. These do not alter the assessment’s demands but ensure fair access, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Deadline for Access Arrangements:
Applications must be submitted by 28 January of the exam year, with supporting evidence as per JCQ requirements.

Non-exam assessment (NEA)

Many qualifications require NEA components such as coursework, projects, or presentations. Swansea College can support you by arranging assessments with our tutors. Specific requirements will vary by subject.

If your chosen subject includes NEA, we strongly recommend applying as early as possible, ideally by the end of October, to secure your place.

Visit our Non-Exam Assessment (NEAs), Coursework & Speaking Tests page for more information.

Speaking Assessments
Speaking assessments (e.g. for English language or modern foreign languages) will take place during April and May.

  • Dates will be confirmed in early March

  • Once scheduled, dates cannot be changed

  • If travelling internationally, please plan your trip to ensure attendance

  • note WJEC English Language Speaking takes place in February
Science Practicals

External candidates may complete GCSE or A Level Science Practical Endorsements with us, provided they are enrolled on a recognised distance learning course (DLC).

If the endorsement is not required for your university or career path, you may opt out.

For details, visit our Science Practical Endorsements page.

What if my exams clash?

If two of your exams are scheduled at the same time:

  • You may take both on the same day under supervision between sessions (an additional charge applies)

  • If your clash involves two different centres, notify both immediately

  • Provide your statement of entry and contact details

  • Centres will coordinate a solution; additional fees and exam board transfer charges may apply

Exam Guides

We have developed 3 guides;

Please ensure you read our Exam Guides carefully before submitting your application. You will be required to confirm your agreement to the Terms and Conditions outlined in the guide during the application process.

For additional details, visit our FAQs page.

Application Process

When you are ready to apply, complete our Online Application form.

If you are resitting an exam, you must also upload a copy of your previous statement of results.

What Happens Next:

  1. Once we receive your application and valid ID, our Exams Officer will carefully review your submission.

  2. If any clarification is needed, we will contact you by email.

  3. You will receive an invoice for the exam fees.

  4. Your exam entry will only be confirmed once payment is received in full.

When exam board entries open, we will process your entry and provide you with the following documents:

  • Entry Confirmation Report

  • Personalised Exam Timetable

  • Exams Newsletter

Communication Policy:

  • If the candidate is 18 or over, we will only discuss the application directly with the candidate, unless written consent is provided to communicate with a parent or guardian.

By Submitting Your Application, You Agree To:

  1. The Terms and Conditions outlined in the Exams Guide.

  2. Our Data Consent Policy, which allows us to share your information with:

    • Relevant exam boards

    • Exam staff at Swansea College

    • Our Special Assessor and SENCo (if applicable)
      This includes all data provided in your application and any supporting documents.

  3. Submitting any withdrawal requests in writing via email.

When Emailing the College:

  1. Always include the candidate’s full name in the subject line.

  2. Parents/guardians must include their full name (not initials) in all communications.

  3. Do not email to confirm application or payment unless we specifically request it.

  4. Allow up to 7 working days for your application to be processed.

Important Notice: Zero-Tolerance Policy

We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for our staff, whether they are working in the office or remotely. We expect all communication—whether in person, by phone, or email—to be respectful.

Any aggressive behaviour, threats, or raised voices will result in your exam entry being withdrawn without refund.

Your Privacy Matters

Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how your data is collected, used, and protected.

Autumn 2025 (Oct & Nov)

Exam Series Qualification Type Entry Deadline Date Late Fees apply from High Late Fees apply from
Autumn 2025 AQA, Pearson, WJEC 12   September 2025 13  September 2025  

Summer 2026 (May & June)

Exam Series Qualification Type Entry Deadline Date Late Fees apply from High Late Fees apply from
June 2026 All GCSEs, IGCSEs, A-Levels, AS Levels 21 February 2026 22 February 2026 21 April 2026

Important Information

The dates provided in the table above are for general guidance only. Please note that Swansea College’s internal entry deadline is one week earlier than the published dates. If a deadline falls during half term, you must register and make payment before the break to avoid late fees.

If your exam includes an NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) component, you must register by the end of October at the latest to secure your place.

Key dates for NEA/coursework submissions and speaking assessments will be shared with registered candidates after their initial meeting. Speaking assessments are scheduled to take place after the Easter break.

Fees

  • The published fees document is the most up-to-date version and supersedes all previously issued fee information.

    Click for Exam Fees

All of the exams in the morning session begin at 9.00am and all of the afternoon sessions begin at 1.30pm.
Arrive 30 minutes before the start of your exam.
On the day of the exam you must bring
  • Valid photo ID (the same photo ID provided when booking the exam)
  • Exam stationery in a clear pencil case
  • Water bottle and tissues (optional)
It is your responsibility to bring all the exam stationery required for your exam. Your pencil case must be clear with a white sticky label with the following information
  • Students full name
  • Candidate number (this is a 4 digit number)
  • The exam centre number (68803)

FAQs

Do you provide tuition?

Yes, we have several classes throughout the year, including: GCSE and A level English, Maths, Science, Spanish, Italian and many other subjects.  You can join our class or attend 1-2-1 tuitions to prepare you for your exams.  We also offer classes Online.  Please contact us for details. We recommend all external candidates have a qualified tutor or an online-learning provider. External candidates are welcome to come for tuition at our college.

We also have very successful After school tutoring classes at the college and Online for Maths and English for students in primary and secondary school. These take place in the afternoons and after school normally. If you would like to find out more please see the After school page of our website or contact us.

Past papers are available free of charge from the exam boards’ websites. Exam boards also have study guides and Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMs) for new courses.

You’ll sit the same GCSE exams at the same time as all the other students in the UK, and you’ll receive the same results, transcript and qualification. Your GCSE course will be accepted by colleges, universities and employers worldwide.

All written exams will take place at the college: 18 Mansel St, Swansea, SA15SG. Occasionally, exams may be sat at an external site. You will be told in advance if this is the case.

All morning exams start at 9.00 am and afternoon exams start at 1.30pm. Please note you must to arrive 30 minutes prior to your exam.

No, parents and guardians are not allowed to wait in the college during exams. This is to ensure the quietness of the college when exams are taking place. We there ask all parents to arrange to collect the candidates after the exam has finished. The reception door will remained locked during the exams.

Free parking is available outside the college for a maximum of one hour (all day with a blue badge).  There are fee-charging car parks available nearby.

We provide small lockers for candidates to leave their belongings while they sit the exam.

  • Valid photo ID (the same photo ID provided when booking the exam)
  • Black pen and pencil
  • Calculator and other maths equipment (ruler, protractor, compass etc.) if allowed

We provide every candidate with water for each exam.

Candidate may bring their own water bottle, but they must bring a clear, plastic bottle with the label removed.

Candidates with medical reasons may bring other drinks or exams such as Lucozade or Lucozade tablets. Candidates will need to provide the college with medical evidence prior to the exams.

You may, however, this is not encouraged as it can disturb other candidates. Candidates leaving the room must be supervised.

Please let us know as soon as you can. If you don’t attend an exam you will be marked as absent. However, if there is a good reason for your absence, such as sudden illness, we can apply for Special Consideration for you. Please be aware that special consideration is awarded on the awarding body’s discretion and fees may apply for this. See our section on this above.

If illness or injury prevents you from doing your best then we can apply for Special Consideration on your behalf. Please be aware that special consideration is awarded on the awarding body’s discretion and fees may apply for this. See our section on this above.

Please call us as soon as you can. You may be allowed to enter the exam as a late arrival. You will still get the full amount of time allowed for the exam. However, please be aware that if you arrive more than 1 hour late (after 10.00 am for morning exams or 2.30pm for afternoon exams) your mark may not stand. This is up to the exam boards.

  • Valid photo ID (the same photo ID provided when booking the exam)
  • Black pen and pencil
  • Calculator and other maths equipment (ruler, protractor, compass etc.) if allowed

No. The exam dates are set by the awarding bodies, and exams can only take place on those dates and at the times specified. We recommend checking dates of exams on the exam board websites.

Choosing my exams

There may be different reasons for this. Some subjects are not made available for private candidates by the exam boards. Other subjects may involve coursework or non-exam assessments. In this case we may be able to provide bespoke assessments (see fees section for more details). Please contact us or complete an application to find out if the subject you are interested in is available.

Swansea College cannot advise you on this issue. You are advised to check:

  • That the exam/qualification is available for private candidates
  • That you meet the age requirements or any other requirements
  • That the qualification is accepted by your chosen University or other prospective institution or employer. We strongly recommend contacting your institution or employer before committing to exams.

iGCSEs (International GCSEs) were originally developed by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) for students overseas who wanted a UK style education. They have proved very popular with UK based private candidates as they usually do not involve coursework. They are accepted by UK universities and other institutions as equal to standard GCSEs. We offer iGCSEs through Pearson/Edexcel.

A level and GCSE Science qualifications may require you to demonstrate your abilities in practical laboratory techniques. Please contact for more details on sitting exams with practicals.

Please note: iGCSEs in science do not have a practical requirement.

Some A level and GCSE language qualifications may require you to demonstrate your speaking and listening abilities. Please note: many iGCSEs in languages also have this requirement.

The Maths and Numeracy GCSE was developed by WJEC to allow students who are not particularly strong at theoretical maths to focus on the practical aspects of maths and still achieve a GCSE.

The Maths and Numeracy GCSE is accepted as an entry qualification by some HE and FE colleges and Universities, but not all. You are strongly advised to check with your intended institution before you decide which route to take.

Applying

Please see the section above and click the link to our online application form.

UCI stands for Unique Candidate Indicator and is a 12 digit number with a letter at the end. If you have taken an exam before a UCI will have been created for you. You may find it on your previous exam paperwork or you can ask your previous exam centre for it. If you don’t have one, we can create one for you.

We can withdraw you from an exam any time before the entry deadline. We can also change the details of your entry (e.g. from Foundation to Higher) before the deadline. Changes made after the deadline count as new entries and have to be charged as such. Refunds are not given after the entry deadline.

After the exams

You can apply to have the exam checked or remarked. Or you may be able to re-sit the exam, depending on the subject.

You can see a copy of your completed exam paper (unmarked) after the results are released. There will be a fee for this service.

If you provide us with a stamped addressed envelope we can post the results and/or certificate to you. You can ask someone you know to collect them on your behalf, provided you let us know in advance and provide written statement authorising them to pick up your certificates.

Yes. Candidates are welcome to visit the college ahead of time (please email us in advance to arrange a time). Mock assessments can be taken at the centre for an additional charge. Alternatively, we can arrange for a separate exam room. Extra fees will apply.

WJEC exams are available in Welsh. Please use the codes for the Welsh language papers when you apply.

Swansea College Exam Centre 

18 Mansel St, Swansea, SA15SG

Exams Officer:
For urgent queries: 01792 535000

How do I find exam and paper codes?

In this video on how to find the exam and paper codes?  In the video you will be guided step by step to find the exam and paper codes which will be required in the application form

Where do I find my UCI number?

We require your UCI number, this is your Unique Candidate Identifier, and will be listed on any previous exam results you have gained. If you have already sat national exams but cannot find this number, you can contact your previous school or college and they can give it to you. If you have never sat any national exams, Swansea College can  generate a UCI number.

Have a question? Ask our virtual assistant on live chat below
or call us on 01792 535000 and speak to our experienced Student Adviser.

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