A-Levels
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level
A levels are subject-based qualifications offered by exam boards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Ofqual describes them as the main pre-university qualification. Each A level is graded A* (highest) to E. Many universities base offers on three A levels (UCL, Manchester and Warwick say so on their entry-requirements pages), and some courses require particular subjects, so check each course page. UK boards set A-level exams in the May–June series; Cambridge International AS & A Levels are examined in June and November. Oxford and Cambridge accept International A levels from Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA as equivalent to UK A levels.
Frequency
UK exam boards: once a year, in the May–June exam series. Cambridge International AS & A Levels: June and November series.
Duration
Typically a two-year course; the number and length of exam papers vary by subject
Format
Paper-based
Score range
A* (highest) to E (minimum pass) per subject; AS levels are graded A to E
Eligibility
Usually studied at school or college over two years before university. Your school, college or exam centre enters you for the exams.
Conducting body
UK exam boards such as AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel, WJEC/Eduqas and CCEA; International A levels from Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA
Source: UK exam boards such as AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel, WJEC/Eduqas and CCEA; International A levels from Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA. Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: GOV.UK — what qualification levels mean (A level = level 3); Ofqual — glossary (A level: offered by exam boards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; the main pre-university qualification); Ofqual — GCE qualification-level conditions (A level graded A* to E; AS A to E); AQA — May/June 2027 AS and A-level exam timetable (common JCQ slots); AQA — November 2026 exam timetable (GCSE and Level 3 Extended Project only); Cambridge International — AS & A Level qualification (two-year course; June and November series; A*–E); University of Oxford — international qualifications (International A-levels grade-for-grade); University of Cambridge — accepted qualifications (A levels, International A levels); UCL — undergraduate entry requirements (based on three A levels); University of Manchester — entry requirements (three full A-levels); University of Warwick — entry requirements (three full A-levels); LSE — entry requirements (standard offers in GCE A-levels and IB); Imperial College London — undergraduate entry requirements (A-level equivalent); University of Edinburgh — entry requirements (A levels); King’s College London — undergraduate entry requirements (A-levels); University of St Andrews — standard qualifications accepted (A-Level).
Last verified: 30 September 2026.
Universities that accept A-Levels
Acceptance can differ by level and programme — confirm on the programme’s own page.
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Imperial College London
University College London
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Edinburgh
University of Manchester
King's College London
University of Warwick
University of St Andrews
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