Upper secondary · British system
A-levels: depth over breadth
Born in England in 1951 to prepare pupils for university, A-levels have spread across the world thanks to their international versions. Their principle fits in a single sentence: three subjects, two years, and no further obligation to study anything else.
A rare freedom, which opens some doors wide and quietly closes others — sometimes as early as age 15. The whole challenge is knowing which ones before you choose.
Framework and philosophy
A-levels are the most specialised of the major end-of-secondary diplomas. There is no common core: the pupil freely chooses their subjects and studies them in depth over two years.
Depth
A standard close to the first year of university in each subject.
Freedom
No compulsory subject; every combination is possible.
Autonomy
Fewer taught hours, with a great deal of independent work expected.
Recent changes
The current format dates from the 2015 reform; since then the system has settled after the Covid interlude.
- 2015 – 2017Verified
In England, a move to a linear format: everything is decided in the final Year 13 examinations. The AS level becomes a separate qualification that no longer counts towards the A-level.
- 2020 – 2021Verified
Examinations cancelled during the pandemic; grades awarded on teacher assessment, with a sharp rise in top grades.
- 2023Verified
Return to pre-pandemic grading standards in England.
- 2026Verified
Stable results: a pass rate of 97.5%, 28.5% at A* and A, and 906,425 entries (+2.7%).
- To watchTo verify
A review of the curriculum and assessment in England: any impact on A-levels to be confirmed before each update of this guide.
Diploma pathways
"A-levels" covers several versions. The one a school offers changes the examination timetable and the pupil's margin for error.
AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR
British A-level
Linear: examinations at the end of Year 13. A resit means sitting the whole examination again.
Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel
International A Level
Largely modular: some papers from Year 12 already count. Resits possible unit by unit. The common version in Switzerland.
one year, intermediate level
AS level
The first half of an A-level. Its weight depends on the version (see below).
What are the boards?
A board is the body that designs a subject's programme, sets the papers, organises marking and awards the qualification. A school chooses its board subject by subject; the level is equivalent from one board to another, but the content and timetable differ.
United Kingdom - AQA — the largest English board - Pearson Edexcel — strong in maths and history - OCR — widely used in computing and the sciences - WJEC Eduqas — the English arm of the Welsh board
International (including Switzerland) - Cambridge International — the most widespread in international schools - Pearson Edexcel International — a unit-based system, with January and June sessions - OxfordAQA — more niche
AS level or A-level: what's the difference?
The AS level is the first half of an A-level: one year, roughly half the content.
| AS level | A-level | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year (Year 12) | 2 years (Years 12 and 13) |
| Value | Roughly half an A-level | The full qualification |
| In the UK | A separate qualification: does not count towards the A-level | Everything is decided in the final Year 13 examinations |
| In international versions | Counts for half of the final A-level | AS + second part (A2) in Year 13 |
| Typical use | A fourth subject dropped after a year, an exit route | The three main subjects |
The question to ask the school: does the AS count towards the final grade? The answer changes the whole Year 12 strategy.
EPQ
An individual research project, optional, worth half an A-level and rewarding independence.
Alternatives at 16
BTEC and T Levels: vocational routes in England, for a more applied profile.
A note on Scotland
Its own system, Highers and Advanced Highers: these are not A-levels.
Structure and academic organisation
Two years of "Sixth Form", three subjects, around 360 guided learning hours per subject.
Year 12 · Lower Sixth
Getting to grips with A-level standard; end-of-year internal examinations that form the basis for predicted grades.
Year 13 · Upper Sixth
Deeper study, assessed work, final examinations in May–June.
Typical weekly load
Orders of magnitude: taught classes (4.5 to 5.5 hours per subject) plus independent work, which approaches the volume of taught classes. Actual hours vary from school to school.
Small groups
Small classes per subject, close to a seminar format.
Study periods
Free slots in the timetable, to be filled with independent work.
Written work
Essays, long problems, practical work in the sciences.
Subjects, specialisms and skills
The most-chosen subjects in the United Kingdom in 2026, by number of entries:
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Business Studies
- History
- Physics
- Sociology
- Art & Design
Then, in order: English literature, geography, politics, Further Maths, computer science, law, religious studies, media studies, English language, physical education, design & technology, Spanish, film, drama, English language and literature, other modern languages.
Key subjects by broad pathway
| Broad pathway | Key subjects |
|---|---|
| Medicine, dentistry, veterinary | Chemistry, often biology |
| Engineering | Maths + physics, Further Maths valued |
| Computer science, mathematics | Maths, often Further Maths |
| Economics, business | Maths for economics on demanding courses; an A-level in economics is a plus, rarely required. Business: few requirements, maths valued |
| Languages, history, literature | The subject itself |
General trends; exact requirements vary from one institution to another and should be checked at source.
Skills developed: in-depth analysis · reasoned writing · problem-solving · independent work · research (EPQ) · experimental method · time management over two years.
Assessment and certification
One grade per subject, no overall grade. Pupils earn "A-levels", not a single diploma.
A* and A are the top grades; E is the minimum pass; U is a fail.
Examination vs coursework. Maths, sciences, economics: examinations 100%. History, geography, literature, computer science: examinations ~80%, ~20% coursework. Sciences: the practical endorsement is assessed separately, pass or fail.
- May – June
Main session, end of Year 13
- Mid-August
Results, on the same day nationwide
- January or June
Unit resits in the international versions
What are predicted grades?
University applications go out in Year 13, before the final examinations. Teachers therefore estimate the grade the pupil should achieve in each subject: the predicted grade. It forms the basis for offers, which are conditional — the place is confirmed only if the actual August results reach the required level.
Not all subjects give the same grades. Share of A* and A grades by subject, UK, 2026:
This is not pure difficulty: Further Maths mainly attracts pupils who are already very strong at maths.
International recognition
A diploma recognised worldwide, but not everywhere on the same terms.
Direct access
United Kingdom
The native format of British universities.
Conditions apply
Switzerland
At least three A-levels with minimum grades, including maths or a science, and six general-education areas covered through the IGCSEs, including a second language.
Direct access
United States
Well recognised, sometimes credited towards university.
Variable
Continental Europe
Country-specific rules, often a breadth requirement as in Switzerland.
In Switzerland
Schools mostly offer the Cambridge International or Pearson Edexcel International versions.
Language
Everything is in English: a non-native speaker needs to be comfortable in writing from Year 12.
Mobility
The international versions make a move easier: the same boards everywhere in the world.
Bridges and transitions
Pupils almost always enter A-levels after GCSE or IGCSE; other entry points are possible, on application.
Changing subject
Realistic only in the first few weeks of Year 12.
Changing board
Programmes differ from one board to another: the catching-up weighs heavily mid-course.
Foundation-tier maths
A GCSE in maths at Foundation tier all but rules out A-level maths.
Who it suits
A good fit
- Knows what they want to study next
- Strong in a few subjects, less at ease in others
- Independent, able to work alone
- Aiming for the United Kingdom
Worth watching
- Undecided or an all-rounder: the IB will often serve them better
- Aiming for Switzerland without a clear subject plan
- Wants to keep several languages
- Needs a very structured framework
A simple rule: the intended destination decides the programme, not the other way round. Destination unknown → the IB remains the safest option.
Decision timeline
Decisions are made early, often before A-levels even begin.
What really makes the difference
What families often discover too late.
Predicted grades matter more than final grades
Applications go out in Year 13 on the grades the school predicts, not the results (see section 06).
Three subjects, each carrying a third of the weight
A subject that goes badly weighs heavily, and changing is only possible in the first few weeks.
Switzerland requires breadth
Without a second language or a science covered by the IGCSEs or A-levels, access to Swiss universities becomes harder.
The version offered changes the margin for error
Linear: everything is decided at the end. Modular: some papers count from Year 12, but units can be resat.
An "easy" combination can backfire
A* and A rates vary sharply by subject, and selective institutions know it.
Summary and comparison
| A-levels | IB Diploma | French Baccalauréat | Swiss Matura | High School Diploma | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years of lycée | 3 to 4 years | 4 years |
| Subjects | 3, chosen | 6 + TOK, EE, CAS | Common core + 2 specialisms | About ten + options | Credits, often + AP |
| Common core | None | Yes, broad | Yes | Yes, very broad | Yes, variable |
| Assessment | Final examinations | Examinations + internal assessment | Continuous assessment + examinations | Examinations + annual grades | Continuous assessment |
| Grade | A* to E per subject | Out of 45 | Out of 20 | Out of 6 | GPA |
| Specialisation | 5 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Swiss access | Conditions apply | Conditions apply | Direct | Direct | With AP |
A simplified overview; each programme has its own detailed guide.
MyStudentHub method and productivity
Succeeding at A-levels is first of all about sustaining a steady effort over two years, without leaving everything to Year 13.
A typical week of independent work
| Day | Independent work |
|---|---|
| Mon | Review of the day's lessons |
| Tue | Exercises, subject 1 |
| Wed | Exercises, subject 2 |
| Thu | Exercises, subject 3 |
| Fri | An essay or long assignment |
| Sat | One timed past paper |
| Sun | Review and plan for the week |
Three habits that pay off
Test yourself rather than re-read; space out revision of the same idea; work in short, phone-free blocks of concentration. This is the approach MSH Focus supports day to day.
Disclaimer: these study tips are general pointers, grounded in recognised learning practices; they do not result from an individual assessment of the pupil. They should be adapted to each person's pace and to the school's instructions, and do not replace the advice of a teacher or a specialist in the case of a learning difficulty. MSH Focus is part of the MyStudentHub ecosystem, to which MSH Advisory also belongs.
Sources and updates
2026 figures: JCQ results published on 13 August 2026. Version 2, guide verified in October 2026; the points marked "To verify" will be checked before each update.
- A-level results 2026 by subject, all UK boards (source JCQ)
- A Level Results 2026: pass rate and entries
- A-Level Results 2026: results by subject (tutor2u)
- JCQ: exam results data
- Conditions for access to Swiss universities: swissuniversities, to be checked case by case
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