A Levels vs AP
7 min read ยท updated 2026-10-13
A Levels and Advanced Placement (AP) are both advanced school qualifications, but they work differently. A Levels are the main qualification of the British system; APs are individual exams that sit on top of an American high school diploma.
Side by side
- โ Structure: A Levels are two-year courses, usually three or four subjects; APs are usually one-year courses, and students take as many as they choose
- โ Grading: A Levels are graded A* to E; AP exams are scored 1 to 5
- โ Exams: UK A Levels are sat at the end of Year 13 in May and June; AP exams are in May (3-7 and 10-14 May 2027)
- โ Cost: AP exams cost $99 each in the US and Canada and $129 elsewhere for 2027; A Level fees are paid through the school's exam centre
- โ Role: A Levels are the main admission qualification for UK universities; APs add to a US transcript alongside the high school diploma
How universities use them
UK universities make offers in A Level grades, such as A*AA, and give UCAS tariff points (56 for an A*). For applicants from American schools, they usually ask for a set of AP exams at high scores alongside the diploma, and each university publishes its own requirement.
US colleges read A Levels and APs as evidence of rigour. Many give credit or placement for high AP scores, and some for A Levels; credit policies vary by college.
Which is harder?
An A Level covers more content over two years and is examined in more depth than a single AP course. AP difficulty varies by subject: in 2026, 46% of AP Calculus BC students scored a 5, against 17% in AP Statistics. Taking several APs in one year can still be as demanding as a full A Level programme.
Who each suits
- โ A Levels: students in British-curriculum schools, and anyone aiming mainly at UK universities
- โ AP: students on an American curriculum, those aiming at US colleges, and students who want to add a few advanced subjects
FAQs
Is an A Level harder than an AP?๏ผ
Usually: an A Level is a two-year course examined in more depth. A heavy AP load can be similarly demanding.
Do UK universities accept AP?๏ผ
Yes, for applicants from American-curriculum schools, usually as a set of AP exams at high scores with the high school diploma. Check each university's requirement.
How much does an AP exam cost?๏ผ
For 2027, $99 per exam in the US, US territories and Canada, and $129 elsewhere.
How many UCAS points is an A* at A Level?๏ผ
56 points; an A is 48.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
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