Do American Universities Accept A Levels? What You Need to Know

If you’re holding onto your A levels and eyeing an American college, you’re probably wondering if those results even matter in the U.S. The short answer? Yes, most American universities know and accept A levels. But there’s a catch—how they treat them can vary a lot. Some schools think of A levels as equivalent to Advanced Placement (AP) classes, while others might offer you actual college credit for high grades.

Here’s a fast fact: Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale receive hundreds of applications from A-level students every year. Most of these universities even have dedicated pages explaining what they expect from A-level students. It’s not just the elite schools, either; state universities and liberal arts colleges also review A levels all the time. They usually want to see three strong A-level subjects, and the grades need to be solid—think Bs and up if you’re aiming high.

Before you apply, double-check the school’s website or reach out to the admissions office. Each university sets its own rules for which A-levels count and how they stack up against American requirements. Skipping this step can lead to surprises—like missing prerequisites or not getting credit where you expected.

• How U.S. Colleges Evaluate A Levels
• Best A-Level Subjects for U.S. Admission
• Application Tips for A-Level Students
• Myths and Surprises: What Happens After Admission

How U.S. Colleges Evaluate A Levels

American universities have seen more and more A levels showing up in their admissions piles lately. They’re not strangers to the British system. Most colleges treat A levels as tough, academic courses that show you’re serious about academics—especially if you score well. In fact, a lot of elite schools say it straight up: they consider A levels equal to Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes that U.S. high schoolers take.

Here’s how it usually breaks down. First, admissions officers look at how many A levels you’ve taken and what subjects you chose. Usually, they want to see three full A levels. STEM-heavy colleges want to see maths and science A levels if you’re applying for engineering or pre-med. If you’re leaning more towards business or the arts, your subjects should fit the major you hope to study.

Grades really matter. They prefer A or B grades on your A-level certificates. For the top schools, especially the Ivy League, most successful applicants show mostly As. Some big public universities—like the University of California system—also give you credit for strong A level marks, meaning you can skip some intro classes if you score well enough. Want to know how credits could stack up? Here’s how a few American universities treat A level grades:

Keep in mind, there’s no master rulebook. Some colleges ask for syllabi or want to know about the exam board (like Cambridge or Edexcel). Others want your official certificates sent directly from the UK. Double-check each school’s international or freshman admissions webpage, since not all schools treat A levels exactly the same way.

At the end of the day, having strong A levels can really boost your application, but you also need to meet other requirements, like English proficiency and extracurriculars. If you can, email the admissions reps at your favorite U.S. colleges. They’re used to these questions and will give you the details you need for your situation.

Best A-Level Subjects for U.S. Admission

Let’s not sugarcoat it—American universities don’t treat all A-level subjects the same. If your dream is Harvard, MIT, or even a big state school, your choices matter. They’re looking for students who’ve got a solid academic base and a bit of a challenge thrown in. That means subjects that show off analytical skills and depth, not just what you find easiest.

Universities in the U.S. usually put core subjects on a pedestal. They expect applicants to have at least three A levels, and at least two of those should be from this list:

• Mathematics
• Further Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Economics
• History
• English Literature
• Geography
• Languages (like French or Spanish)

If you’re aiming for anything in science, tech, or medicine, subjects like Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry are non-negotiable. Top engineering programs basically expect you to have More Maths or Physics at A level. Want business or social sciences? Economics, History, Psychology, or English help your case a lot.

Here’s something you might not see on university brochures: A levels like General Studies or Critical Thinking don’t carry much weight in U.S. admissions. Most U.S. colleges either don’t accept them or treat them as nice-but-not-important. Stick to the core stuff if you want your application to stand out.

Don’t forget, your mix matters. For the best shot at top schools, go for a combo that matches what you want to study. Science-minded? Double up on sciences and math. More into literature or pre-law? Stack up English Lit, History, or a language. Whatever your plan, pick A level subjects that prove you’re ready to hit the ground running when you show up in the U.S.

Application Tips for A-Level Students

If you’re determined to use your A levels for applying to American universities, you don’t want to miss these details. The U.S. college application process is different from the UK, so a little extra planning can make a huge difference.

• Pick your A-level subjects carefully. Most U.S. schools like to see traditional academic subjects (like Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, History) over less academic ones. For the top colleges, three solid A levels—preferably including at least one science or math—usually gives you the best shot.
• Know how your grades translate. Many U.S. colleges consider A* and A as equivalent to 5s on AP exams. For some universities, an A or B can actually get you college credit, so high marks might save you money and time when you get there. Check school policies closely—some have charts showing what credits you’ll get for each grade.
• Don’t skip other requirements. Having A levels is great, but you’ll still need to send SAT or ACT scores at some universities. A growing number, though, have gone test-optional. You'll also need transcripts from your school, teacher recommendations, and a personal essay—just like any American student.
• Show your strengths outside the classroom: U.S. colleges love “well-rounded” applicants. Include sports, volunteering, music, part-time jobs—whatever shows you’re more than just grades on paper.
• Meet deadlines and get documents verified. Go through each college's application checklist early. Some will need your results sent directly by your school or exam board, and missing deadlines is a fast way to end up in the reject pile.

Here’s a quick look at how a few top U.S. universities view A-level grades:

If you’re unsure about anything, talk to the admissions office. They’re used to international students asking how A levels fit into their system. Always double-check their website—requirements can change fast.

Myths and Surprises: What Happens After Admission

So, you got into an American college with your A levels. Huge win! But here’s where things get interesting—suddenly, all those myths you heard from friends and relatives start popping up. Like, “You’ll be in junior year right away,” or “You’ll never have to take gen-ed classes.” Unfortunately, stuff like this isn’t always true.

The first surprise is credit. Some colleges will give you credit for high A-level grades, and others won’t. For example, a public university might give credit for A* or A results in math and sciences, letting you skip intro classes. But other schools—especially the fancy ones—will accept A levels for admission but make you start from square one like everyone else. Plus, the credits you get can be limited or apply only to certain majors. Always ask the admissions office or academic advisor so you’re not guessing.

Another common myth: "A levels cover everything you need." Not quite. American degrees focus on all-round education, so you’ll still have to take classes in writing, history, or even gym—no matter how many A-levels you rocked. The U.S. system expects you to explore beyond your chosen A-level subjects. Forget jumping straight into only your major.

• A levels in core subjects (Math, Sciences) are more likely to earn you credits than humanities or arts.
• Each university (even within the same state) sets their own policies—double-check what applies to you.
• You may need to submit your official A-level results after exams, even if your college gave you an early offer.
• Sometimes, you’ll need your exam board (like Edexcel or Cambridge) to send certified transcripts directly to the school.

If you’re a numbers person, check this out:

One last thing—don’t freak out if your school asks you to take placement tests. This is totally normal, especially for math or languages. They just want to make sure everyone’s at the right spot, whatever system you came from.