Do Universities Accept AP?

If you're taking AP courses, you're probably wondering, ‘Do universities accept AP?’ It's a fair question. You're spending hours on challenging coursework, stressing about exams, and sacrificing free time. But will universities even care?

The answer is yes. Universities in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia accept AP courses and exams, but how they use them varies significantly depending on where you're applying.

Our guide will walk you through the ins and outs of what APs are, different university AP requirements around the world, and how many APs you should consider taking. Read on to find out more.

Key Takeaways

• APs are widely recognised for university admissions. The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) programme is accepted by over 500 universities in more than 75 countries (opens in a new tab), including institutions in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

• US universities often award credit or advanced placement for high AP scores. Most colleges require a minimum score of 3 or 4 to receive college credit, which can help you skip introductory courses and potentially graduate early.

• How universities use APs varies by country. Some use them primarily for admissions decisions, others for granting course credit, and some for both purposes.

What Are AP Courses and Exams?

Advanced Placement (AP) is a programme that enables students to pursue college-level studies whilst still in secondary school. 

The College Board, a not-for-profit organisation based in New York City, has run the AP programme since 1955. And, there are currently 40 courses and exams available through the AP Programme, covering subjects from Chemistry to Chinese Language.

Each May, AP exams are administered worldwide. Scores range from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

Why do students take APs? 

There are three main reasons:

1. College-level study. AP courses give you a taste of what university work feels like before you actually get there.

2. Stronger applications. AP courses on a student's transcript show that they've challenged themselves with the most rigorous courses available to them.

3. Potential credit. Most AP students who enrol in four-year colleges start school with some credit, which can save time and money. Read our AP Credit Overview for more details.

Each May, AP exams are administered worldwide. Scores range from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Read our How to Study for AP Exams Guide to supercharge your chances of AP success.

Do US Universities Accept APs?

Yes, absolutely. US colleges and universities recognise AP courses in several important ways.

Since 2024, 37 states have implemented statewide or systemwide AP credit policies (opens in a new tab), making it easier for students to understand what credit they'll receive.

How It Works in Practice

If you score a 5 on AP Calculus BC, some universities will grant you credit for introductory calculus courses, allowing you to start with more advanced maths classes. You'll usually need 120 credits to get a bachelor's degree, and some students graduate from college early because of the credits they earn in secondary school through AP.

However, policies vary significantly by institution. Some selective schools, like Brown University (opens in a new tab), offer no AP credit, but can facilitate students enrolling in higher-level courses. There’s no option to graduate early.

Do UK Universities Accept APs?

Yes, but UK universities use APs differently than their US counterparts.

Most UK universities accept AP Exam scores as a way for applicants to meet the requirements for undergraduate programmes. UK universities view APs for admissions purposes rather than for granting credit. This makes sense when you understand how UK universities work. They offer specialised three-year programmes where you study your subject from day one, rather than the broader US-style four-year degree.

UK universities view AP exams as an appropriate equivalent to UK A Level exams, as both AP exams and A-Levels are subject-based exams.

Entry requirements specify how many APs you need and what scores are expected. For example, the minimum admissions requirements for the University of Edinburgh (opens in a new tab) require one of the following:

• An SAT score of 1290+ plus two AP scores at 4+

• ACT score of 27 plus two AP scores at 4+

• 3 AP scores at 4+

The UCAS tariff system converts various qualifications, including APs, into points. AP scores convert to UCAS points: 

Top UK universities entry requirement examples:

• Oxford (opens in a new tab) expects three to four AP scores of 5 in subjects related to your intended course of study. 

• Warwick (opens in a new tab) looks for AP scores of 4 or 5 in AP exams that complement your intended course of study.

Do Canadian Universities Accept APs?

Canadian universities have embraced AP courses enthusiastically.

For admissions. All AP courses are eligible for admission consideration and can be combined with an approved Canadian secondary school or international secondary school curriculum to meet the University's admission requirements.

For advanced standing and credit. This is where Canadian universities really shine for AP students. For example, the University of Waterloo (opens in a new tab) recognises AP examination results and will consider awarding transfer credits for AP courses in which a minimum final grade of 4 is attained.

Policies vary by province and university. Check entry requirements pages for specific Canadian universities.

What About Other Countries?

APs are gaining recognition beyond North America and the UK.

Europe. Recognition varies significantly by country. 

• In Germany (opens in a new tab), students can qualify for direct subject-restricted admission if their AP tests cover Mathematics (Calculus AB or BC), one natural science subject, one language, and one further subject, all with at least grade 3.

• The Netherlands requires US students to have AP scores for admission to many programmes. The University of Amsterdam (opens in a new tab) requires a 3.5 GPA and four AP scores of 3+ for admission.

Other European countries like France, Spain, and Italy have more selective acceptance, with policies varying by institution and programme.

Australia. Australian universities increasingly recognise AP exams. The University of Western Australia (opens in a new tab) welcomes applications from students who have completed the AP programme, and only subjects with scores of 3 and above are counted.

Asia. Universities may value APs, but often there aren’t any specific AP requirements. It’s crucial to look at the entry requirements of individual universities.

Also, in many Asian countries, local curricula (like the gaokao in China or the CBSE in India) often take priority for domestic students.

How Many APs Should You Take?

There's no single answer, but here's guidance based on your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Ivy League universities accept APs?

Yes. Ivy League schools and other competitive colleges are looking for students at the top of their secondary school classes who have taken the most rigorous courses, which often include AP classes.

However, credit policies vary. What matters most for Ivy League admissions is that you've challenged yourself with the most rigorous coursework available at your school.

Can AP scores help me skip university classes?

Absolutely, at many universities. In some cases, you'll get both credit and advanced placement for a qualifying AP score, meaning you'll earn the credits and be able to skip a course.

However, some universities don't grant first-year course exemptions for AP courses, as the depth and level of problem-solving is very different in their programmes. Always check specific university policies before counting on credit or placement.

Are APs better than IB or A Levels?

They're not better or worse, just different. Each qualification has its strengths:

Universities don't prefer one over the others. What matters is that you've challenged yourself and performed well in whichever system you're in.

Ace Your APs with Save My Exams

APs are widely accepted and valued by universities around the world. Whether you're applying to institutions in the US, UK, Canada, or elsewhere, your AP courses and exam scores can strengthen your application and potentially save you time and money at university.

The key is to research university-specific policies for the institutions you're interested in. Use the (opens in a new tab)College Board's AP Credit Policy Search (opens in a new tab) to understand what credit you might receive.

With Save My Exams, you have access to AP teacher-written resources and past papers to pinpoint exactly what to revise, help you identify your weak points, and show you how to improve. Join over 2 million students and teachers using Save My Exams to master what matters - and boost your AP scores today.

References

College Board - Do universities outside the U.S. accept AP scores? (opens in a new tab)

College Board - Statewide AP Credit Policies (opens in a new tab)

Brown University - AP Exams (opens in a new tab)

University of Edinburgh - Entry Requirements by Region (opens in a new tab)

University of Oxford - International Qualifications (opens in a new tab)

University of Warwick - USA (opens in a new tab)

University of Waterloo - AP Transfer Credits (opens in a new tab)

DAAD - High School Diploma Recognition (opens in a new tab)

University of Amsterdam - Entry Requirements (opens in a new tab)

University of Western Australia - International and Overseas Qualifications (opens in a new tab)

College Board's AP Credit Policy Search (opens in a new tab)