A Level alternatives for university applications

NVQ’s

NVQ’s are on the job qualifications where you’re assessed on your ability to complete tasks in a workplace. NVQ’s 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 prospective university accepts NVQs for the course you want to do 

• It might take longer to gain an NVQ equivalent to an A Level this way 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.  

• 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 2023 seeing seven additional options including, craft and design, catering, and legal services amongst others. There are 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 at 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)