A-level, short for General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, is a two-year program within the British education system, administered by Cambridge. A-level is a “golden ticket” that can help you open doors to the world’s top universities. As in all UK universities, students with A-levels have priority for admission compared to other programs.
A-level is equivalent to the IB program, but A-level requires deeper knowledge rather than broad coverage like IB. Another difference is that A-levels do not require attending schools authorized to deliver instruction and exams, as IB does. Thus, students can fully choose home study and register as private candidates.
This is the final year of study in the A-level program. From at least four subjects studied in the first year, you will choose three subjects to continue and take the A-level exam. These three subjects should align with your career orientation and complement your intended university major.
Students must complete coursework to finish the course. Usually, students complete 1–2 assignments per subject at the end of the AS year, then complete the remaining coursework at the end of the A2 year. The final A-level grade is the combined result of two years of study.
A-level subjects are graded on a scale from A* to E, with AS year not including A*, only ranging from A to E.
When it comes to international programs that can help students prepare for their future careers, more and more parents trust and send their children to A-levels because it helps shorten the duration of studies and allows students to choose their major earlier.
Usually, students finishing high school in CIS countries who want to study abroad, particularly in the UK, need an extra year in a pre-university program to qualify for admission to a British university. However, students who complete two years of A-level study (Grades 11 and 12) and pass the A-level exam can immediately apply to international universities. Thus, A-level helps students save time and money, familiarize themselves with an international learning environment, and integrate faster into university programs.
Another difference between A-level and high school in CIS countries is that instead of studying over 10 subjects in a school year, A-level students focus on only 3–4 subjects. This allows students to choose subjects they enjoy and that will complement their future university studies.
The most notable advantage of the A-level certificate is that it significantly increases admission chances. A-level certificates are accepted by all UK universities, more than 450 in the US, and many other universities worldwide. Leading universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Yale, Harvard, and MIT give priority to students with high A-level scores during admissions. Additionally, because of the intensive academic focus, A-level certificates have become a requirement for many specialized fields, including engineering, medicine, and law.
In addition to extensive academic knowledge in each subject, A-level students develop essential skills for success in university and future work: literacy, numeracy, specialized English, critical thinking, logical reasoning, self-learning, and research skills. These advantages increase the chances of receiving scholarships compared to standard program applicants. High A-level grades also demonstrate that students have a strong foundation for higher-level studies, influencing scholarship decisions.
Completing A-levels with good grades not only increases your chances of university admission and scholarships but can also help students earn college credits and gain exemptions. This depends on the university, but if a student achieves a grade of B or higher, they may be exempt from studying equivalent subjects. This benefit saves time and money during university studies.