Progress to university

International GCSEs and International AS/A Levels are part of iProgress our complete pathway for students aged 3 to 19. 

Learn more about International GCSEs

Learn more about International AS/A Levels

Learn more about iProgress

Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs (9-1) guide for centres (PDF)

We understand that the process of applying to universities can be challenging which is why we've produced these guides which provide key information for international students thinking about applying to universities in selected European countries or the USA. 

Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Levels are accepted by universities around the world including: all Russell Group universities in the UK (including Oxford and Cambridge); Group of 8 universities (Go8) in Australia; US universities, including Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech); top Canadian Higher-Education Institutions, including the University of Toronto and McGill university; universities in Asia, including Hong Kong/China University of Science and Technology and the National University of Singapore. 

And there are many more! Take a look at the full list of universities that recognise and accept Pearson Edexcel qualifications.

If you're a university that would like to be added to this list, please complete the University recognition form.

Give students the edge when applying for university and help them stand out from the crowd! Pearson Edexcel Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an optional, standalone Level 3 qualification, taken alongside core International A Level subjects, that develops independent learning and research skills demanded by universities and employers.  

It gives students the opportunity to: 

• Explore an area that interests them, aligned to an area of the curriculum or a hobby or interest.  Research a subject that might not be available through other qualifications, whilst developing valuable independent research and project management skills.  
• Become future-ready by developing transferable skills valued by universities and employers.  
• Earn additional UCAS points (up to 28 points for an A*, the equivalent of an International AS Level) which makes university applications stand out. 

Learn more about the Extended Project Qualification

See the full Extended Project Qualification guidance from UCAS 

Download letters of recognition from US credit evaluators, who are available to support Edexcel International A Level students with their application to US universities. US universities also seek guidance from credit evaluators when recognising international qualifications for undergraduate entry. 

ECCTIS (formerly UK NARIC)  is the designated United Kingdom national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills. It performs this official function on behalf of the UK Government. 

The following reports compare Pearson Edexcel qualifications to the UK curriculum in terms of the standard and level of demand.  

The 2024 survey continues to showcase the diversity and quality of higher education destinations chosen by our students. Our survey shows that our students were accepted into universities in 51 different countries. The UK, USA, Canada and Australia continued to be the top destination countries, with increases in students attending universities in the Gulf States and Germany. Around half our students decide to attend university in another country and one interesting development this year was the increased range of European countries that our students chose to attend. Many of the world’s leading universities figured in the list including Ivy league, Russell Group and top Australian, Chinese, Singaporean and Canadian institutions.