What Are AS-Levels and Do They Still Exist in the UK?

AS-Levels (Advanced Subsidiary Levels) are standalone Level 3 qualifications taken after GCSEs, covering roughly the first year of A-Level content. They still exist in England and are awarded by the major exam boards, but since 2017 they have been decoupled from A-Levels and are far less commonly studied than they were a decade ago.

What exactly is an AS-Level?

An AS-Level is a one-year qualification that sits at Level 3 of England's qualifications framework — the same level as a full A-Level, but with a smaller scope. Each AS-Level typically covers the foundational half of an A-Level subject and is assessed by exams taken at the end of Year 12. It earns a grade on the A–E scale (or U for ungraded), matching the grading system used for full A-Levels.

Before 2017, AS-Levels were designed as the first year of a two-year A-Level. A student would sit AS exams at the end of Year 12, and those marks would count towards 50 per cent of the final A-Level grade. This structure was abolished in England when A-Levels were reformed: AS and A-Level are now completely separate qualifications, and AS results have no impact on A-Level grades.

How does an AS-Level differ from a full A-Level?

The table below compares the two qualifications across the most important dimensions.

Dimension | AS-Level | A-Level
Duration | 1 year (Year 12) | 2 years (Years 12 and 13)
Qualification level | Level 3 | Level 3
Grading scale | A–E (or U) | A*–E (or U)
Does it contribute to A-Level grade? | No (since 2017 reforms) | —
UCAS Tariff points (grade A) | 20 points | 48 points
Typical exam load | Fewer exams, shorter papers | Full suite of papers across two years
University entry requirement | Rarely required | Primary basis for most offers
Cost to schools | Additional exam entry fee | Included in normal sixth form provision

Do most schools still offer AS-Levels?

Many schools and sixth form colleges have phased out AS-Levels in practice, even though they remain available from awarding bodies. The main reasons are:

Cost: schools must pay separate exam entry fees for AS exams on top of A-Level fees

Disruption: sitting formal exams in Year 12 interrupts teaching time and adds pressure to students

Diminished value: since AS results no longer count towards A-Level grades, universities treat them as a minor addition rather than a meaningful signal

Some schools — particularly well-resourced independent schools — still offer AS-Levels as a way of allowing students to demonstrate breadth, study a fourth subject to AS standard, or provide an early external assessment point. However, many state sixth forms stopped offering AS-Levels shortly after the decoupling reform.

Are AS-Levels still recognised by universities?

AS-Levels remain on the UCAS Tariff and convert to points that can supplement a UCAS application. A grade A at AS-Level is worth 20 UCAS Tariff points (compared with 48 for an A-Level grade A). However, most university offers are expressed in terms of A-Level grades — for example, "AAB at A-Level" — and AS-Level results rarely influence whether a conditional offer is made or upheld.

There are exceptions. Some universities mention AS-Level results in their contextual admissions processes, or use them to assess candidates who are applying with a non-standard qualifications profile. But for the majority of university applicants in England, AS-Levels are not a significant factor.

What did the old AS-Level system look like before 2017?

Before the A-Level reforms, the structure was known as the modular or "2+2" system. Students typically took four subjects in Year 12 and sat AS exams in each. At the end of Year 12 they would drop one subject and continue three to full A-Level in Year 13. The AS marks counted towards 50 per cent of the final A-Level grade.

This system was intended to encourage breadth at 16–18 and give universities an early signal of performance. Critics argued that the stepped assessment structure encouraged "teaching to the test" and produced a relentless cycle of exam preparation. The Ofqual review that preceded the 2017 reform concluded that linear A-Levels — with all assessment at the end of Year 13 — produced stronger depth of understanding and more reliable results.

Are AS-Levels available in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

The situation differs across the UK:

Scotland: Scotland does not use AS-Levels. The equivalent post-16 qualifications are Scottish Highers (one year) and Advanced Highers (a second year), which are a separate national system.

Wales: Wales retained a version of the modular AS/A-Level structure for longer, but is in the process of reforming its qualifications. Check the current guidance from Qualifications Wales for the latest position.

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland retained the coupled AS/A-Level structure (where AS contributes to A-Level grades) for longer than England. The CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) still uses a modular approach.

Should my child take AS-Levels?

For most students in England, the answer is no — not because AS-Levels are without value, but because most schools do not offer them and universities do not require them. If your child's school does offer AS-Levels, it is worth discussing with the sixth form team whether sitting them would benefit that particular student. Possible reasons to take an AS-Level include:

To provide an early formal qualification in a subject the student will not continue to A-Level

To demonstrate breadth on a UCAS application where the student has fewer than three strong A-Levels

To give a student who thrives under exam conditions an earlier assessment point for feedback

The decision should be weighed against the additional exam pressure and revision time required at a stage of sixth form where students are already adjusting to significantly harder content.

Frequently asked questions

If my child sits AS-Levels, will those grades appear on their UCAS application?

Yes. AS-Level results achieved in Year 12 are reported to UCAS and appear on the UCAS application alongside predicted and actual A-Level grades. Admissions tutors can see them, but for most courses they are not the primary basis for decisions. If your child achieved a poor AS-Level result in Year 12 but is on course for a strong A-Level, it is worth being prepared to address this in a personal statement or at interview.

Can my child take an AS-Level independently, outside of school?

Yes. AS-Levels can be taken as a private candidate at an approved exam centre, in the same way that GCSE private candidates sit their exams. This is uncommon but is an option for home educated students or those who want to sit a subject not offered at their school. The student would need to self-study and pay the exam entry fee, and find a centre willing to accept private candidates.

Do AS-Level results affect A-Level grade predictions?

Schools typically make A-Level grade predictions based on internal assessment, mock exams, and the student's performance in class. In schools that still offer AS-Levels, actual AS exam results may inform the predicted grade, particularly if the AS result is markedly higher or lower than internal assessments suggested. In schools that do not offer AS-Levels, predictions are based entirely on internal evidence.

Are there alternatives to AS-Levels for demonstrating breadth at sixth form?

Several options can demonstrate breadth alongside A-Levels. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a widely recognised Level 3 qualification that universities value because it develops independent research skills. Some students take a short online course in a fourth subject for interest. High-achieving students may also consider additional maths qualifications such as the AQA Level 2 Further Mathematics Certificate if their school offers it. The EPQ, in particular, is often mentioned favourably in university offer letters and is a more practical alternative to a fourth AS-Level for most students.

For subject support at KS3 and GCSE, visit aitutors.me.