A Level Guide 2027: Boards, Subjects, Grades & University Entry

What are A Levels and which boards offer them?

A Levels (Advanced Levels) are subject-based qualifications taken in the final two years of school, usually between ages 16 and 19, and they are the most common route into UK universities. Students in Pakistan, the Gulf and the UK mostly sit one of three versions: Cambridge International AS & A Level, Pearson Edexcel International A Level, or UK A Levels.

Cambridge International AS & A Level is a qualification from Cambridge International Education, offered in 55 subjects that schools can combine freely. Cambridge says the A Level is typically a two-year course and the AS Level typically one year, with exams in June and November.

Pearson Edexcel International A Level (IAL) is the international version from Pearson. It is modular in every subject except Law: unit results are banked, then "cashed in" for a final grade.

UK A Levels are set by AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel, WJEC and CCEA for UK schools. In England they are linear: every exam is sat at the end of the two-year course.

Cambridge's guide for universities says UCAS and UK universities treat its A Levels as equivalent to UK A Levels, and Pearson says all Russell Group universities accept the IAL. Our A Level tutoring hub covers all three boards.

What is the difference between AS and A2?

AS Level is the first half of an A Level, normally studied in the first year, and A2 is the second half. At Cambridge International, AS Level is also a standalone qualification, but A2 is not: A2 components only lead to a grade when combined with AS components. How AS marks count depends on the exam board.

Cambridge International offers three routes, according to its carry-forward regulations:

• AS Level only, which ends with a standalone AS grade.
• Staged assessment: sit AS in one series, then the A2 papers in a later series, carrying the AS marks forward. Marks can only be carried forward within 13 months of the series in which they were earned, and no more than twice.
• Linear: sit all AS and A2 papers in the same series, usually at the end of the second year. No marks are carried forward.

Cambridge notes that AS results in language syllabuses cannot be carried forward to the full A Level.

Pearson Edexcel IAL is built from units. The International AS (IAS) units can be cashed in for an IAS grade on their own, and together with the International A2 units they make up the full IAL. When you resit a unit, Pearson uses the best result from your two most recent attempts.

UK A Levels in England are different. Ofqual confirms that AS results no longer count towards an A Level, so in England the AS is now an optional, separate qualification rather than the first half of the A Level.

How many A Levels do you need for university?

Most UK university offers are based on three A Levels. Cambridge International's guide for universities states that "the standard admission requirement for UK universities is three A Levels", and the University of Cambridge says its offers are usually based on three A Levels taken together in Year 13. For some Cambridge courses, the fourth subject that matters is Further Mathematics.

UCAS describes A Levels as normally three or more subjects studied over two years. Cambridge International notes that students typically take four subjects at AS Level and three at A Level.

The University of Cambridge usually expects Further Mathematics as a fourth A Level for Computer Science, Economics, Engineering and Physical Natural Sciences where schools offer it. Further Mathematics tutors can help if yours does not.

Which A Level subjects should you choose?

The best A Level subjects are the ones your target degree requires, followed by the ones you are most likely to get top grades in. Medicine and engineering have fixed subject requirements in Pakistan and at many UK universities, so check them before you choose, especially for Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physics.

For other universities, check each course page, because requirements vary. See our pages on A Level Chemistry, A Level Biology, A Level Physics and A Level Mathematics.

How are A Level grades and the A* awarded?

A Level grades run from A* (highest) to E (lowest pass) at Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and the UK boards. AS Level has no A*: Cambridge reports AS grades a to e in lower case. The A* rule differs by board, and no board uses a fixed percentage.

• Cambridge International: the A* is set on your weighted total across all A Level papers. Cambridge's threshold tables state that "Grade A* does not exist at the level of an individual component." In June 2026, the A* threshold for Mathematics 9709 was 222 out of 250 weighted marks for one paper combination and 234 for another.
• Pearson Edexcel IAL: you need an A overall plus at least 90% of the available uniform marks (UMS) across the A2 units.
• UK linear A Levels: Pearson explains that the A* is a single grade boundary on the total mark, set during awarding.

UCAS turns grades into Tariff points: A* = 56, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24, E = 16, and an AS grade A = 20. Many universities make grade offers (such as AAA) instead. See the latest A Level grade boundaries, or read our paper-by-paper guide to getting an A* in A Level Physics.

When are A Level exams and results in 2027?

UK A Level exams in 2027 run from 10 May to 22 June, and results are released on Thursday 12 August 2027, according to the JCQ key dates. Cambridge International holds June and November series, with results in August and January. Pearson Edexcel IAL runs January, June and October series for most subjects.

Check paper-by-paper dates on our exam dates page.

How do A Levels work for university entry in Pakistan?

Pakistani universities and medical colleges need an IBCC equivalence certificate that converts A Level results into a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) equivalent. The IBCC requires three relevant A Level subjects at grade E or above, plus O Level or SSC requirements: Physics, Chemistry and Biology for Pre-Medical, or Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for Pre-Engineering.

The full rules are on the IBCC British system page. Students who sat O Levels in Pakistan need eight subjects (five compulsory plus three electives); those who sat abroad need five, including English and Mathematics.

IBCC converts grades into marks using a published table (for example, an A counts as 85). For an A*, the marks depend on the subject and the session. Try our IBCC equivalence calculator, and read our IBCC equivalence guide for documents and timelines.

For medical colleges, you will also need the MDCAT, which is run under the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. PMDC sets the eligibility rules and syllabus each year, so compare that syllabus with your A Level courses early. See our MDCAT preparation for A Level students.

Should you choose A Level or FSc?

A Level and FSc both lead to university in Pakistan. FSc is the science stream of the Pakistani Higher Secondary School Certificate, taught in classes XI and XII and examined by boards such as FBISE, with fixed Pre-Medical and Pre-Engineering groups. A Level is an international qualification that needs IBCC equivalence for local admissions.

A Level suits students who may apply abroad or want fewer subjects in more depth. FSc suits students set on Pakistani admissions. Neither is simply "easier". See our FSc tutoring page for the local route.

How do you prepare well for A Levels?

The students who do best at A Level choose subjects early to suit their degree, learn their syllabus code and paper structure, and practise past papers against real grade thresholds from the first term. A Levels go into much more depth than O Level or IGCSE, so regular weekly practice works better than cramming before exams.

1. Year one, first term: confirm your board, syllabus codes and staged or linear entry.
2. End of year one: sit AS or mocks, then fix weak topics over the summer.
3. Year two, autumn: finalise UCAS or local university plans, and your MDCAT timeline if relevant.
4. Year two, spring: do timed past papers every week.

At Heights International Academy, tutors are matched to your exact board and syllabus, and classes run live online, one-to-one or in small groups. You can start with a free trial class, or see A Level tutoring in the UK if you study with a UK board.