GCE Advanced Levels are the long established ‘gold standard’ of the British education system.  Universities around the world like A Level students because of their advanced level learning in subjects they will study at university.

AS Level is the first half of an A Level; A2 is the second half, with both the AS and A2 combining to make a full A Level.  Undergraduates in overseas universities have generally followed this pattern in their final years of secondary education:

Grades  a^ – e  are passes at AS and A* – E are passed at A Level, though Universities will normally specify higher grades in specific subjects relevant to the subjects to be studied at University.  A* grades were awarded at A level for the first time in May/June 2010; the a^ grade remains the highest award at AS level. Generally, students following an A Level programme are required to have a minimum of 3 A level passes for entry to overseas Universities and this eliminates the need for a foundation year at University.