Does Harvard accept Cambridge A Levels?
Asked by: Zita Kub | Last update: January 22, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (53 votes)
Harvard will consider applications from students with Cambridge Pre-U examination results according to their merits, as is the case with A Level applicants. All candidates must submit complete applications to be considered for admission to Harvard.
Do universities in the US accept Cambridge A Level?
Cambridge International AS & A Levels are considered college-level courses of study. In the USA, good grades in carefully-chosen Cambridge International A Level subjects can result in up to one year of university course credit. For more information on credit policies, please check with universities directly.
What A Levels do I need for Harvard?
- GCSE: Grades 7-9 (numbered system), or A/A* (lettered system)
- AS levels (where taken): Grades A/A*
- A Levels: Grades A/A*
- Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers: Grades A/B.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): Grades 39-45.
Does MIT accept Cambridge A Levels?
Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level. A-Levels are required for admission, however, IGCSE and O-Level results are reviewed as an appropriate view of the student's accomplishment.
Can I go to Harvard if I'm from the UK?
We welcome applications from all over the world. Our admissions and financial aid processes are the same for all applicants - regardless of nationality or citizenship.
Does Harvard Accept IGCSE? Everything You Need to Know
How hard is it to get into Harvard from UK?
Harvard's acceptance rate for international students
There were 56,937 applicants. 1,966 of them were admitted, and 15.4% of those were international students.
Does Harvard prefer IB or AP?
Harvard does not explicitly state a preference for IB or AP courses. To receive credit for IB classes, accepted students must earn an IB diploma. Incoming students must earn a score of 5 on at least four AP exams to earn college credit at Harvard.
Can I go to Yale with A-levels?
Yale University would be pleased to consider applications from students with Cambridge Pre-U examination results according to their merits, as is the case with A Level applicants. All candidates must submit complete applications to be considered for admission to Yale.
Is Cambridge better than MIT?
MIT and Cambridge University are world-renowned for their strengths in STEM subjects. Both universities hold the #1 spot in their respective countries - making the decision between them very difficult! Both universities are extremely popular - and for good reason!
Does Oxford accept Cambridge A Level?
International A-levels (offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education, Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA) are recognised as equivalent to UK GCE A-levels on a grade-for-grade basis.
What is the hardest college to get into?
Harvard University
The Harvard acceptance rate is 3%, tied with Caltech for the #1 spot on our list of hardest colleges to get into. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is a quintessential New England school globally recognized for its rigorous academic programs and influential alumni.
Does Stanford accept A levels?
Over 970 universities in the US formally accept Cambridge International AS & A Levels, including all Ivy League and Ivy Plus universities. These universities include Brown, Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Yale. Many more US universities accept Cambridge qualifications on application.
What GPA is too low for Harvard?
What GPA should I have? Applicants should be between 3.9 and 4.0 to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by increasing your SAT or ACT score.
Do US universities prefer IB or A-Levels?
So, if a student who plans to apply to US universities is able to do well in the IB, this might be the best option for them. However, if a student can achieve higher grades in the A-Level curriculum, it is generally better to take A-Levels and do well, than to attempt the IB and achieve lower grades.
Does Harvard accept Cambridge exams?
Hundreds of universities and colleges across the USA accept C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency for admission; including top institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dartmouth College, Wellesley College and The Juilliard School.
Is it hard to get into Cambridge as an American?
Cambridge has the highest requirements of any university outside of the United States for testing. To be admitted from the US, five AP scores of 5 are required, as well as an SAT score of above 1450 or an ACT score above 32. Some programs, especially in the sciences, ask for a 1500 or 33, respectively.
Which is better Yale or Cambridge?
Yale University holds the 23rd position globally in QS World University Rankings 2025 with an overall score of 85.2, achieving an impressive academic reputation score of 99.9 and a perfect faculty-to-student ratio of 100. In contrast, Cambridge University is ranked 5th, boasting a higher overall score of 96.7.
Is Cambridge more prestigious than Harvard?
Cambridge and Harvard are globally recognized for their rich histories and renowned academic excellence. While Harvard dominates in the United States, Cambridge's legacy as one of the oldest and most esteemed universities worldwide contributes to its international prestige.
Which is harder MIT or Harvard?
According to Niche, MIT is the #6 hardest school to get into, and Harvard is the #1 hardest school to get into. Harvard has a college acceptance rate of 3.41% compared to the MIT acceptance rate of 4.8%. So, while Harvard is part of the Ivy League and MIT is not, they both have extremely selective acceptance rates.
Does Yale prefer IB or A levels?
Admissions officers are familiar with various types of advanced coursework, including AP, IB, A-Levels, Dual Enrollment, and others, but have no preference for one advanced curriculum over another.
What is the lowest GPA Yale will accept?
Yale does not set a strict minimum GPA requirement for admission; however, the average GPA of admitted students is typically around 4.0. This reflects the competitive nature of the admissions process, where students are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance.
How many A levels to get into Harvard?
We do prefer that students take the most rigorous programme available to them, so an A level student, for example, should normally take four A levels rather than three. But we do understand that in some schools three A levels are the norm, and in fact sometimes four are not allowed.
Does Harvard look at 9th grade?
Harvard looks at your entire high school transcript, but they are particularly interested in seeing an upward trajectory in the rigor and grades. This means that while your freshman year grades are certainly reviewed, they care a lot about the improvement you've shown over time.
Is IB harder than a level?
The IB is considerably harder than A-levels. In the IB, students must study six subjects plus extras whereas with A-levels students study three subjects. With so much workload, it is no surprise that many students taking the IB end up with relatively low grades (24-30 points).
How to get a 100 percent scholarship in Harvard?
Though Harvard doesn't typically offer full-ride scholarships or merit-based scholarships, they do offer need-based scholarships to those who need it. Student's can also apply for grants, other kinds of scholarships, and federal work study through the school.