- SCHOOL LEAVERS
External Exams
At the Grimsby Institute, we now offer exams for Private Candidates. These services are primarily for individuals who are not currently in mainstream education, such as home‑educated learners, learners who are resitting an exam or those that are self-taught or receiving private tuition. We aim to make your exam experience as smooth and supportive as possible.
We currently accept entries for the following qualifications: GCSE, IGCSE, A Levels, Functional Skills, and AAT. We work with a range of exam boards including AAT, AQA, City & Guilds, OCR, Edexcel/Pearson and WJEC/Eduqas. If you would like to check whether we can accommodate a specific qualification or exam board, please contact us and we’ll be happy to advise.
Booking an exam with us is simple. Complete the online application form below and upload a copy of your ID (preferably photo ID), along with a recent head‑and‑shoulders photograph for your student ID badge. A member of the Exams Team will then contact you to confirm availability and provide payment instructions. Your exam place is secured once payment has been received.
For more information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us directly for more information.
Why sit with Grimsby Institute as an external candidate?
- We offer competitively priced external exams.
- We strive to provide a personal experience to our candidates, offering a tour day prior to the exam at your convenience to see the examination room to put you at ease.
- We recognise that people can be private candidates for various reasons, and by recognising this, we are sensitive to your needs, every step of the way.
- We want to ensure a stress-free experience for our external candidates. That’s why we’re pleased to provide all essential exam equipment free of charge.
- Smaller exam rooms – no more stuffy exam halls! Here at the TEC Partnership we offer comfortable air-conditioned rooms.
- Our friendly invigilators are here to create a calm and supportive environment for your external exams, helping you feel at ease.
Useful links
https://www.jcq.org.uk/private-candidates/
https://www.aqa.org.uk/student-and-parent-support/private-candidates
https://www.ocr.org.uk/students/private-candidates/
https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/student-support/private-candidates
https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/information-for-candidates/b
Frequently Asked Questions
We work with a range of exam boards including:
AQA
OCR
Pearson (including International GCSEs)
WJEC/Eduqas
If you’d like to confirm whether we can offer other exam boards or qualifications, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.Yes — in some cases.
We can currently offer the Speaking and Listening component of GCSE English Language for all exam boards.
However, we are unable to offer any Science qualifications. These qualifications include compulsory practical elements, and JCQ regulations require candidates to complete their practical assessments at the same centre where they sit their written papers.Because we do not have the facilities to deliver the required practicals, we cannot enter candidates for Science exams. This also means we are unable to accept or transfer any previously completed practical results. As an alternative, some students choose to take an International GCSE (iGCSE) in Science, as these qualifications are assessed entirely by written examination. If you are interested in this option, please contact us for more information.
Yes, providing the specification allows you to carry it forward, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to check.
Applications have now closed for the Summer 2026 exam series.
Upcoming application deadlines:
November 2026 series (Pearson IGCSE): All applications and payments must be submitted by Friday 28th August 2026 at 4:00pm.
November 2026 series (GCSE English and Maths – 16 & over): All applications and payments must be submitted by Friday 11 September 2026 at 4:00pm.
January 2027 series (AQA A/AS Level): All applications and payments must be submitted by Friday 25 September 2026 at 4:00pm.
Summer 2027 series: All applications and payments must be submitted by Friday 1 February 2027 at 4:00pm.
This is a strict deadline, and no late applications will be accepted.
All examinations will take place at Grimsby Institute.
Address: Nuns Corner, Grimsby, DN34 5BQIf you are arriving by car, there are several free car parks available on site. Please ensure you park within a marked bay and be aware that car parks may be busy at peak times.
We accept a range of documents to confirm your identity. Photo identification is the preferred option, but alternative documents can be used if you don’t have one.
These documents provide the clearest proof of identity:
Passport — Any valid UK or international passport.
Driving licence — Full or provisional UK licence.
National ID card / EU ID card — Government‑issued identity card.
Residence Permit or Asylum Registration Card — Must be in date.
Armed Forces ID — Official MOD‑issued identification.If you do not have photo ID, the following documents can be used instead:
Birth certificate — Original or certified copy.
National Insurance card or NI letter — Shows NI number.
Bank or credit card — Must be in the person’s name.When you arrive on the day of the exam, We accept a range of documents to confirm your identity. Photo identification is the preferred option, but alternative documents can be used if you don’t have one.
These documents provide the clearest proof of identity:
Passport — Any valid UK or international passport.
Driving licence — Full or provisional UK licence.
National ID card / EU ID card — Government‑issued identity card.
Residence Permit or Asylum Registration Card — Must be in date.
Armed Forces ID — Official MOD‑issued identification.If you do not have photo ID, the following documents can be used instead:
Birth certificate — Original or certified copy.
National Insurance card or NI letter — Shows NI number.
Bank or credit card — Must be in the person’s name.We will contact you before the day of your exam to request a clear, recent head‑and‑shoulders photograph for your student ID badge. A selfie is absolutely fine for this.
When you arrive on the day of your exam, you will be given your student ID card to wear while on-site. The invigilator will use this card to verify your identity in the exam room.
All essential exam equipment will be provided to reduce the need for additional checks.
Please note: this does not include set texts — candidates must bring their own clean copy of any required set text.
You may bring a clear, label‑free water bottle into the exam room.
Phones and watches are not permitted in the exam room (please refer to JCQ documentation for full details). Possession of unauthorised items is a serious offence and could result in disqualification from your examination and your overall qualification.We recommend that you read through the JCQ Information for candidates guidance before your exam, if you need any more information please contact us: https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/information-for-candidates/b
Please arrive at the University Centre main reception at least 30 minutes before your exam start time.
Once you have signed in at reception, a member of the Exams Team will take you to the exam room.
You will need to show a valid form of ID. Photo identification is preferred, but alternative documents can be accepted if you do not have one — please refer to our FAQs for a list of acceptable ID.
You will then be given a student ID card to wear while on-site. The invigilator will use this to verify your identity in the exam room.The invigilator will give you full instructions on how the session will run.
Phone: 01472 311 243
Email: externalexams@grimsby.ac.uk
Fees
All our fees are inclusive, covering administration, invigilation costs, and access to completed exam scripts*.
Please note that International GCSEs (iGCSEs) incur additional charges due to higher exam board entry fees and increased postage costs.
*To request access to completed scripts, a signed JCQ Candidate Consent Form is required.
Prior written permission must be obtained from the candidate where the centre intends to request their script(s). This permission can only be sought after the candidate has received their results for that examination series.Functional Skills English and Math (excluding speaking and listening element) £75 per exam Functional Skills English Speaking and Listening £100 per exam GCSE £100 per exam International GCSE (excluding double award) £110 per exam Double Award International GCSE £120 per exam AS Level £120 per exam A Level £120 per exam Information for candidates – Privacy noticePlease complete this form
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