AP vs. A-Levels and IB: Debunking the Myths About University Admissions
There are several misleading posts and other information online regarding school curriculum and admission to top-tier universities worldwide. These posts add to parent confusion, both online and offline, about whether universities “prefer” A-Levels and IB over AP courses.
The fact is that, both globally and in Thailand, universities do not prefer one curriculum over the other, especially with regards to international students. Admissions committees, whether in the U.S., U.K., Australia, or elsewhere, value the rigor of the curriculum offered and strong performance in those courses. Here you can find a list of all universities outside of the United States that recognize and accept AP scores: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/ap-around-the-world/find-universities-that-recognize-ap-scores?
Why does BASIS International School Bangkok choose to use AP Program as part of the BASIS Curriculum?
The BASIS Curriculum recognizes that the AP Program is a proven path to top universities across the globe. AP courses are designed by college professors and experts in each field of study, and are regularly updated to reflect academic developments. It is a proven path to university coursework since the courses are designed and regularly updated by university professors and the College Board.
By utilizing the AP Program, our students are able to take university level coursework starting in Grade 9 in a wide variety of subjects according to their interests. This enables them to pursue a breadth and depth of college coursework beyond other educational curriculum. In the 2025-2026 academic year, BASIS International School Bangkok will offer more than sixteen (16) AP courses with several students taking up to 5 AP courses in one academic year.
This is far more than students in many college preparatory high schools in the United States take throughout their respective high school experiences. Our students are able to do so successfully since the BASIS Primary and Middle School curriculum prepares them for this rigor and enables them to benefit from the accelerated coursework and broad course offerings.
Are BASIS students accepted to universities in the UK and outside of the United States?
Within the BASIS Network, students have been accepted to many top international universities, including Imperial College London, Kings College, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and more, where they accept AP scores to gain admittance. BASIS students accepted to university in the UK do not need to attend a foundation year. In fact, they received unconditional offers from the UK in the first round because they have completed their AP requirements by the application deadlines.
As a point of reference, the BASIS Independent Schools Class of 2025 applied to and were accepted to a multitude of international universities, including the following:
| Class of 2025 Acceptances – International |
| Duke Kunshan University |
| IE University |
| Imperial College London |
| King’s College London |
| McGill University |
| McMaster University |
| The American University of Paris |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science |
| The University of Edinburgh |
| The University of Nottingham |
| The University of Warwick |
| University College London |
| University of Bristol |
| University of British Columbia |
| University of Cambridge |
| University of Glasgow |
| University of Oxford |
| University of Toronto |
| University of Waterloo |
| Wilfrid Laurier University |
Universities, like those in the UK, understand that they will have applicants across the world with a variety of curriculum. This is why they show on their websites the AP, A Levels, and IB requirements for admittance.
As an example of the AP requirements for Imperial College London’s Aeronautical Engineering program (information and link valid as of June 4, 2025):
International qualifications: Advanced Placement
The minimum entry standard is 5, 5, 5, 5 overall, to include:
- 5 in Calculus BC
- 5 in Physics
- 5 in two further relevant subjects
*If you are studying additional High School Qualifications alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both sets of qualifications.
Typically, each Degree at UK institutions has unique application requirements. For specific information, you can talk with our College Counselling Team. You may also wish to visit course websites, such as:
- UCL: www.ucl.ac.uk (check “Entry Requirements” under each program)
- King’s College London: www.kcl.ac.uk (see “Undergraduate” and course-specific pages)
- University of Oxford: www.ox.ac.uk (review “International Qualifications” and course pages)
- University of Cambridge: www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk (see “International” and course requirements)
- Imperial College London: https://www.imperial.ac.uk (see “Find a Course” and “International Qualifications” under “Entry requirements”
Top Universities across the globe recognize and accept AP for admission and/or college credit
Thai students at international schools offering the AP Program have consistently been accepted into top universities around the world, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Melbourne, NUS, and top-tier U.S. institutions. Universities look at a broad set of criteria when making admissions decisions, including the rigor of student coursework, and the AP Program is widely recognized for their rigor and validity in supporting admissions decisions.
Whether your child is enrolled in the AP Program, A-Levels, or IB, success comes from performance, not the program label. At BASIS International School Bangkok, we offer the highest quality BASIS Curriculum with network-proven results.
