- by Eliza Fairweather
- on 20 Nov, 2025
A Level to U.S. Equivalent Converter
This tool calculates the U.S. college equivalency of your A Level grades. Enter up to three A Level grades to see equivalent scores for AP, IB, and U.S. GPA.
Your A Level Grades
Enter your A Level grades to see equivalent scores
If you’re from the UK, Australia, or another country that uses A levels, and you’re trying to understand how U.S. education stacks up, you’re not alone. Many students and parents ask: What is the American equivalent of A levels? The short answer? There isn’t a single direct match-but the combination of a U.S. high school diploma plus Advanced Placement (AP) courses comes closest.
Why There’s No Single Equivalent
A levels are specialized. Most students in the UK take only three or four subjects in depth during their final two years of school, often focusing on areas they plan to study in university. The system is designed for early specialization. The U.S. system doesn’t work that way. American high school students typically take a broader range of subjects-math, science, English, history, foreign language, electives-throughout grades 9 to 12. They don’t drop subjects early. So you can’t point to one credential and say, "That’s the A level." You have to look at the whole package.The High School Diploma: The Base
Every U.S. student who finishes high school gets a diploma. It’s proof they completed required courses in core subjects. But here’s the catch: the diploma itself doesn’t signal academic depth. A diploma from a school with light requirements is very different from one from a rigorous program. Colleges don’t judge the diploma alone-they look at what courses you took within it. That’s where AP, IB, and honors classes come in.Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: The A Level Match
AP courses are the closest thing to A levels in the U.S. They’re college-level classes offered in high schools. Students take them in subjects like Calculus, Biology, History, Chemistry, or English Literature. At the end of the course, they sit for a standardized exam scored from 1 to 5. A score of 4 or 5 often earns college credit. That’s the same function as A levels: proving mastery in a subject before university.For example, a student who takes A levels in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths is similar to a U.S. student who takes AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus BC. Both have shown deep knowledge in three rigorous subjects. Universities in the U.S. and abroad recognize this parallel. Many U.S. colleges will even use AP scores to place students into higher-level classes, just like UK universities use A level grades.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Another Strong Contender
Some U.S. high schools offer the IB Diploma instead of-or alongside-AP. The IB is a two-year program that requires students to study six subjects (three at higher level, three at standard level), write an extended essay, complete creativity and service projects, and take a theory of knowledge course. It’s more structured than AP and closer to A levels in its holistic approach. IB Higher Level (HL) courses are especially comparable to A levels in depth and rigor.Many international universities, including top schools in the UK and Australia, treat IB HL subjects as direct equivalents to A levels. If you’re applying to universities outside the U.S., the IB Diploma often carries more weight than AP alone.
How U.S. Colleges Evaluate International Students
When a student from the UK applies to a U.S. university with A levels, admissions officers don’t just look at the grades-they compare them to U.S. benchmarks. They know that three A grades at A level (A*AA) is roughly equivalent to a 3.8-4.0 GPA in a U.S. high school with strong AP or IB courses. They use conversion tables and databases like WES (World Education Services) to make sense of international credentials.What matters most to U.S. colleges isn’t the label-it’s the evidence of academic challenge. A student with three A levels in tough subjects (like Further Maths or Economics) will be seen as equally prepared as a student with four APs and an IB HL in Physics. They’re both showing they can handle university-level work.
What About SAT or ACT?
The SAT and ACT are standardized tests, not curriculum credentials. They’re like the GCSEs in scope-not the A levels. They test general skills in math, reading, and writing. They’re required by most U.S. colleges, but they’re not replacements for A levels. Think of them as a filter, not a measure of subject mastery. A student might have top A levels and still need to take the SAT to meet U.S. application requirements.Real-World Example: Applying to a U.S. University
Imagine a student from London with A levels in Biology (A*), Chemistry (A), and Maths (A). They’re applying to UCLA. Their transcript shows they took advanced science and math courses over two years, with high grades and exam scores. UCLA’s admissions team sees this and matches it to a U.S. student with AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus BC-all with scores of 5. The student also has an SAT score of 1500. That’s a competitive profile. The A levels aren’t "converted" into GPAs-they’re understood as equivalent.
What’s Missing in the U.S. System?
One thing the U.S. system doesn’t do as well as A levels is the focus on independent research or extended projects. A level students often complete a coursework component or practical assessment. AP exams are mostly multiple-choice and short-answer. IB includes extended essays, but AP doesn’t. That’s why some U.S. colleges look for extracurricular research, science fairs, or internships to fill that gap.Bottom Line: It’s About Depth, Not Labels
The American equivalent of A levels isn’t one thing-it’s a combination. A strong U.S. high school transcript includes:- A full high school diploma from a rigorous program
- Multiple AP or IB Higher Level courses in subject areas
- High scores on those exams (4 or 5 on AP, 6 or 7 on IB HL)
- Strong performance on the SAT or ACT
If you’re a UK student applying to U.S. schools, you don’t need to "convert" your A levels. Just make sure your transcript clearly shows the subjects, grades, and exam boards. Admissions officers know what A levels mean. If you’re a U.S. student trying to understand A levels, think of them as the equivalent of taking 3-4 AP courses in your final two years of high school-and doing exceptionally well on them.
What If You’re a U.S. Student Applying to UK Universities?
It works the other way too. UK universities accept U.S. high school diplomas with AP scores. For example, Oxford and Cambridge often require four APs with scores of 5, including at least two in subjects related to your intended major. Some may also ask for SAT scores above 1450. The key is matching the depth. If you’re applying for Engineering, they want AP Physics, AP Calculus, and AP Chemistry-not just a high GPA.Is a U.S. high school diploma the same as A levels?
No. A U.S. high school diploma is a general completion credential, while A levels are specialized subject qualifications. The diploma alone doesn’t show depth. To match A levels, you need to add AP or IB courses with high exam scores.
Do U.S. colleges accept A levels?
Yes. Top U.S. universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT actively recruit students with A levels. They view three A grades at A level as equivalent to a 4.0 GPA with strong AP scores. Many offer course credit for A level scores of A or B.
Are AP courses harder than A levels?
It depends on the subject and school. A levels often involve more in-depth coursework and longer exams. AP exams are shorter and more focused on testing knowledge under time pressure. But both require serious preparation. A top A level grade and a 5 on an AP exam are considered comparable in rigor.
Can I use IB instead of A levels for U.S. college applications?
Absolutely. The IB Diploma, especially with Higher Level courses, is widely accepted and often seen as more comprehensive than AP alone. Many U.S. colleges grant credit for IB HL scores of 6 or 7, similar to how they treat A levels.
Do I need to take the SAT if I have A levels?
Most U.S. colleges still require the SAT or ACT, even if you have A levels. The tests help them compare students from different education systems. Some schools are test-optional, but strong scores can still strengthen your application.