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CONTENTS

1. What qualifications are equivalent to A Levels?

2. BTEC and Cambridge Technical 

3. NVQs

4. International Baccalaureate

5. Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

6. Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma

7. T Levels

What qualifications are equivalent to A Levels?

It’s a good idea to weigh up all your options when thinking about your route to university. Alternatively, you may have started A Levels but dropped out and wonder what to do next.

Here are some qualifications that are equivalent to A Levels:

• BTEC and Cambridge Technical  
• NVQ 
• International Baccalaureate 
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
• Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma
• T Levels

If you want to know how some of these options compare with A Levels in terms of UCAS points, you can read more in our handy guide.  

BTEC and Cambridge Technical

This type of qualification focuses on work-related knowledge and practical skills, and is usually offered at further education colleges. You may have the option to mix A Levels with BTEC or Cambridge Technical, and most attract UCAS points in the same way A Levels do.  

Pros 

• A great option if you already know what area of work you’d like to go into 
• It’s ideal if you prefer a practical, rather than academic, focus 

Next step 

• Some institutions are more open to these qualifications that others, so check what grades you’d need to get – especially if you’ve got your eye on a university in the

NVQs

NVQs are on-the-job qualifications where you’re assessed on your ability to complete tasks in a workplace. NVQs start at a Level 1 and go up to a Level 5. Achieving a Level 3 is the same as an A Level. They’re usually offered by a college, school, or workplace.  

Pros 

• They’re a good choice if you know what job you’d like to do 
• You can start at the level that suits you best and work your way up  

Next step  

• Find out if your prospective university accepts NVQs for the course you want to do 
• It might take longer to gain an NVQ equivalent to an A Level, so find out about the timeframes involved

International Baccalaureate

This diploma is a broader academic alternative to A Levels. You’ll study six subjects for two years, three at a similar standard to A Levels. You’ll get more tutor contact time and fewer free periods and will be assessed via coursework and exams.

Pros 

• A great alternative if you want to keep your options open and love learning 
• Widely accepted at universities around the world, you could go to a UK university or study overseas

Next step 

• Do some online research to see if this route to university is right for you  
• Check out the Welsh and Scottish Baccalaureate alternatives too 

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

These are the main qualifications you’ll take in sixth form college if you live and study in Scotland. They’re the Scottish equivalent to AS and A Levels. You’ll usually study four or five subjects from over 60 options. Subjects are broken down into units that you’ll need to pass to get this qualification.

Pros

• Scottish Highers only take one year to complete but still offer plenty of UCAS points. You can study Advanced Highers in your S6 year if you want to

Next step

• Read more about these options in our guide for students studying in Scotland

Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma

If you left school without A Levels or equivalent and you’d like to go to university, an Access to Higher Education Diploma could be the way forward. You’ll need to be 19 or over and able to travel to a further education college offering this qualification.  

Pros 

• It’s a legitimate route into higher education – many universities are directly involved in creating these courses and encourage applications from Access to HE Diploma holders 

Next step

• Read all about this diploma in our in-depth guide to Access to Higher Education Diploma  

T Levels

T Levels began in 2020, and are a relatively new two-year qualification equivalent to three A Levels. New courses are being rolled out each year, with plans to have a choice of 24 T Levels by 2025.

Pros

• Based on the same standards as apprenticeships, they demonstrate your future employability
• Essential Maths and English standards are built into the qualification giving you another chance to achieve this if you didn’t do so in your GCSEs

Next step

• T Levels equate to a certain amount of UCAS points so check what you’d need to achieve to get into your preferred university. Distinction * (168) Distinction (144) Merit (120) Pass C or above (96) Pass D or E (72)