If you’ve been researching US entry requirements for UK universities, you may have noticed that many universities ask American students for AP exam scores.
But how strict are UK universities when it comes to AP exams? How many do you need? Do the subjects matter? And what happens if your high school doesn’t offer AP classes at all?
The good news is that AP exams aren’t the only way US students can meet UK university entry requirements. Depending on the university and program, there may be other options.
Let’s break down how UK universities view AP exams and what you can do if APs aren’t part of your academic profile.
How AP Exams Are Viewed in the UK
AP exams are one of the most widely accepted ways for US students to meet academic entry requirements for UK universities.
Why?
UK universities typically evaluate applicants using subject-based qualifications such as A-Levels. Because AP exams also demonstrate advanced knowledge in individual academic subjects, universities can use AP scores to determine whether a US student has reached a comparable academic level.
However, there isn’t one AP requirement that applies to every UK university.
One university may ask for several AP exams, while another may accept a combination of AP scores and SAT or ACT scores. Some universities may also consider other qualifications or academic evidence.
The degree you’re applying to matters too.
If you’re applying for a program with specific subject requirements, such as engineering, mathematics or certain sciences, the university may require an AP exam in that particular subject.
So before deciding whether you have the right AP exams, always look at the entry requirements for the specific university and program you’re considering.
How Many AP Exams Do You Need for UK Universities?
There isn’t one magic number.
Depending on the university and program, you may see requirements such as:
- Three AP exams at specified scores
- Four or five AP exams for programs with higher entry requirements
- Two AP exams combined with qualifying SAT or ACT scores
- Specific AP subjects for the degree you want to study
- Alternative academic qualifications if AP exams aren’t available at your school
For example, the University of Edinburgh currently lists three AP scores of 4 or higher as one combination that can meet its minimum standardized testing requirements for many programs. Students may also meet those requirements through combinations such as an SAT or ACT score plus two AP exams.
At UCL, requirements can range from three to five AP subjects depending on the A-Level requirements for the particular degree.
This is why it’s so important to check each university and program individually. Meeting the general US entry requirements for a university doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve met the requirements for the degree you want to study.
Do Your AP Subjects Matter?
Yes!
This is one of the biggest differences US students need to understand about applying to universities in the UK.
In the US, students typically apply to a university and may have time to explore different subjects before officially declaring a major.
In the UK, you’re applying directly to a specific degree from the beginning.
Because of this, some programs require students to demonstrate previous knowledge in particular subjects.
For example, a mathematics-heavy program may require an AP Calculus exam, while a science program may require specific AP science subjects.
Having several strong AP scores doesn’t necessarily meet the requirements if you haven’t taken the subjects required for your chosen program.
When researching universities, make sure you’re looking at both:
- The university’s general requirements for US students
- The entry requirements for the specific degree you want to study
What If Your High School Doesn’t Offer AP Exams?
First, don’t assume that not having access to AP exams automatically rules you out of studying in the UK.
UK universities understand that AP availability varies between US high schools, and some universities provide alternative ways for students to demonstrate their academic preparation.
Start by talking with your school’s college counselor.
If you have a dream university in mind, ask your counselor if they’ve had previous students apply there. They may already have experience with the university or know its US admissions representative.
Even if they haven’t worked with that particular university before, your counselor may be able to help explain your school’s curriculum and the academic opportunities that were available to you.
This can be important when a university is reviewing a student from a school that doesn’t offer AP courses.
For example, the University of Edinburgh currently has an alternative review process for students whose schools don’t follow an AP curriculum and where AP exams aren’t available. In those situations, the university may consider the student’s GPA, the rigor of their high school curriculum, honors or college-level classes and other academic evidence.
The important distinction is that your school doesn’t offer APs, rather than simply choosing not to take AP exams that were available to you.
Look for UK Universities With Alternative US Entry Requirements
If AP exams aren’t part of your academic profile, your next step is to look for universities that offer other ways for US students to meet their entry requirements.
Depending on the university and program, those alternatives may include:
- SAT or ACT scores
- Honors or other advanced coursework
- Dual enrollment or college classes
- An associate’s degree
- International Baccalaureate qualifications
- Your high school GPA and overall curriculum
- A university foundation program
- Other university-specific qualifications
Again, there isn’t one rule across the UK.
Some universities are more flexible than others, and requirements can even vary between programs at the same university.
That’s why we recommend starting with the universities and programs that interest you and then looking closely at how each one evaluates US qualifications.
Can Honors, Dual Enrollment or College Classes Replace AP Exams?
Sometimes!
Depending on the university, honors classes, dual enrollment or other college-level coursework may be considered when evaluating your application.
Dual enrollment and college coursework can be particularly helpful because they show that you’ve already completed university-level study.
However, there isn’t a universal number of college credits that automatically replaces AP exams.
Universities set their own requirements, and they may consider:
- How much college coursework you’ve completed
- Your college GPA
- The subjects you’ve studied
- How those subjects relate to your intended degree
- Whether you’ve completed any required prerequisite subjects
For example, UCL currently lists successful completion of one year at a recognized US university, community college or junior college with a qualifying GPA as one possible route for US applicants.
If you’ve already completed significant college coursework or an associate’s degree, your situation may be a little different. Read our guide to Transferring From a US College to a UK University to learn more about how UK universities may evaluate your previous college study.
Not Sure Which UK Universities Fit Your Academic Profile?With so many different requirements, it can be difficult to figure out which universities might be a good fit based on your AP scores, GPA and other qualifications. Take our UK University Match Quiz to start narrowing down your options based on your academic profile and study goals. |
Can You Self-Study for an AP Exam?
Yes.
If the university you want to attend requires an AP exam that your school doesn’t offer, you may still be able to take the exam without taking the AP course at your high school.
College Board allows students to arrange to take an AP exam at another school that administers it.
If your school doesn’t offer the AP exam you need, you can use College Board’s AP Course Ledger to find nearby schools that offer that exam. You’ll then need to contact the school’s AP coordinator to find out whether they allow students from other schools to test there.
Start this process as early in the school year as possible.
Schools can set their own deadlines and policies for accepting outside students, and AP exam orders are generally finalized in the fall.
Of course, self-studying for an AP exam isn’t necessarily the easiest option. AP exams cover a significant amount of material, and you’ll be preparing without taking the corresponding AP course.
But if a particular AP is required for a program you really want to pursue, it’s an option worth exploring.
You can find the current instructions for arranging an AP exam through the College Board website.
How to Find UK University Entry Requirements
At this point, you might be asking yourself:
How am I supposed to figure out which universities accept AP exams, SAT or ACT scores, honors classes, college coursework or other qualifications?
That’s exactly why we’ve created our Undergraduate University Search Tool.
Instead of trying to search every UK university website individually, you can use the tool to explore universities and see which ones may match your academic profile.
Remember that entry requirements can vary by program, so once you find universities you’re interested in, always confirm the requirements for your specific degree before applying.
Find UK Universities That Match Your Qualifications
Ready to start looking at your options?
Use our Undergraduate University Search Tool to explore UK universities and compare their US entry requirements.
Whether you have AP exams, college coursework or a different academic profile, this is a great place to start narrowing down your university list.
About the Author:
Ashley Jeanson is an international education expert with over 9 years of experience in the field. She’s worked for a mixture of study abroad providers, universities in the US and the UK, and third-party providers, mostly specializing in helping American students attend UK universities. In her spare time, she travels the globe and is eternally in search of the best cup of coffee.
