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Should You Include A Levels on Your CV?

Recruiters look at education differently depending on your career stage. For a school leaver, A Levels can be the strongest proof you have. For a graduate, they may support your degree story. For an experienced professional, they can either reassure the reader quickly or take up space that should be used for recent results. This guide helps you decide what to do with A Levels on a UK CV. It covers when to include them, when to shorten them, when to remove them, and how to format grades, predicted grades, UCAS points, and equivalent Level 3 qualifications without making the education section messy.

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Should You Include A Levels? The quick answer

Yes, include A Levels on your CV if they are recent, relevant, requested in the advert, or still one of the strongest pieces of evidence you can offer. That normally applies to school leavers, sixth-form students, apprenticeship applicants, university students, recent graduates, and anyone applying for a job where specific subjects matter.

You can shorten them when you have stronger evidence from a degree, vocational qualification, professional training, or work history. You can usually remove them from a concise experienced CV if they do not support the role, are not requested, and would push more useful achievements onto a second page.

The mistake is treating this as a fixed rule. A Levels are not automatically essential forever, and they are not automatically irrelevant once you have worked for a few years. The right decision depends on what the reader needs to know quickly.

01

Include them when they answer a likely question

A Levels help when the recruiter may be asking: does this person have the required academic level, the right subjects, or enough education evidence for the role? If the answer is yes, keep them visible.

For example, Maths and Physics are useful for engineering, finance, data, technology, or science routes. English, History, Politics, or Psychology can support writing, research, analysis, education, policy, marketing, or people-focused roles. Languages can strengthen international, customer service, travel, export, hospitality, and communications applications.

A Levels can also show academic readiness for structured training. If you are applying for an apprenticeship, a trainee role, a school leaver scheme, or a degree apprenticeship, relevant post-16 study can make the CV easier to assess.

02

Shorten them when they are useful but no longer central

A Levels often become supporting evidence once you have a degree, placement, internship, or several years of work experience. You may still include them, but they do not need a large section.

A concise line is usually enough:

A Levels: Maths B, Economics B, English Literature C

Or:

A Levels: Biology, Chemistry, Psychology

If the grades are strong or requested, include them. If the subjects are more useful than the grades, list the subjects only. If neither subjects nor grades help, consider removing them.

03

Remove them when they add no decision value

On an experienced CV, space is expensive. A recruiter usually cares more about current role scope, achievements, sector experience, tools, leadership, customers, projects, or qualifications gained after school.

You can usually remove A Levels if all three are true:

  • You have stronger recent work evidence.
  • The advert does not ask for them.
  • The subjects do not support your target role.

Removing them is not hiding your education. It is editing the CV around the evidence that matters now.

When to include, shorten, or remove A Levels

Use this section as a decision checklist before editing your education section.

Include A Levels in full if you are early in your career

If you are writing a school leaver CV, first job CV, student CV, or no experience CV, your education is likely to be near the top of the page. In that situation, A Levels usually deserve proper detail.

Include the subjects, grades or predicted grades, school or college, and dates. Add selected modules, projects, coursework, or achievements only if they genuinely support the target role.

Example:

A Levels, Greenfield Sixth Form, 2024-2026 Maths, Economics, English Literature; predicted ABB Relevant project: economics research presentation comparing local business pricing strategies.

This works because it gives the reader your current level, expected results, and one useful piece of evidence.

Include them if the advert asks for Level 3 education

GOV.UK lists A Levels as Level 3 qualifications, alongside other post-16 qualifications such as T Levels, Access to HE diplomas, applied general qualifications, and the International Baccalaureate diploma. If an advert asks for Level 3 study, A Levels may be directly relevant.

Do not make the recruiter infer this from a vague education line. If the advert mentions A Levels, UCAS points, specific subjects, or Level 3 qualifications, make the match easy to find.

Example:

A Levels: Maths B, Computer Science B, Physics C

Or, for an equivalent route:

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business: DMM

If you have equivalent qualifications rather than A Levels, name them clearly. The goal is not to force A Levels into every CV. The goal is to prove the level the employer is asking for.

Include them if the subjects support the job

Subject relevance can matter more than age. An experienced finance candidate with A Level Maths may decide to keep it briefly if their degree is in another field. A marketing applicant may keep English or Psychology if it strengthens a writing or audience insight angle. A teaching assistant applicant may keep relevant subjects if they support classroom work.

Keep the detail proportionate. A single line can be enough for an experienced candidate:

A Levels: Maths, Business Studies, English Language

Do not expand school education into a full block unless it is still central to the application.

Shorten them after a degree

If you have a degree, your A Levels usually move into a smaller supporting role. Many graduate CVs include them, especially when grades are strong, subjects are relevant, or the employer asks for a certain academic background.

A graduate education section might look like this:

University of Leeds, BA Economics, 2023, 2:1 A Levels: Maths A, Economics B, History B

This is enough. The degree leads because it is the stronger qualification. A Levels add context without taking over the section.

If your degree subject and work experience already prove the same point, you can shorten further:

Education: BA Economics, University of Leeds, 2:1; A Levels including Maths and Economics.

For more graduate education decisions, use the graduate CV UK guide.

Remove or compress them when experience is stronger

Once you have a clear work history, recent achievements should carry the CV. At that point, A Levels can be reduced to one line or removed.

For example, a project manager with eight years of delivery experience should use space for budgets, stakeholders, deadlines, risks, teams, and outcomes. A long school education section would slow the reader down.

That does not mean qualifications are unimportant. It means the strongest proof has changed. Your CV should follow that change.

01

When to include, shorten, or remove A Levels Use this section as a decision checklist before editing your education section. Include A Levels in full if you are early in your career If you are writing a school leaver CV, first job CV, student CV, or no experience CV, your education is likely to be near the top of the page. In that situation, A Levels usually deserve proper detail. Include the subjects, grades or predicted grades, school or college, and dates. Add selected modules, projects, coursework, or achievements only if they genuinely support the target role. Example: > A Levels, Greenfield Sixth Form, 2024-2026 > Maths, Economics, English Literature; predicted ABB > Relevant project: economics research presentation comparing local business pricing strategies. This works because it gives the reader your current level, expected results, and one useful piece of evidence. Include them if the advert asks for Level 3 education GOV.UK lists A Levels as Level 3 qualifications, alongside other post-16 qualifications such as T Levels, Access to HE diplomas, applied general qualifications, and the International Baccalaureate diploma. If an advert asks for Level 3 study, A Levels may be directly relevant. Do not make the recruiter infer this from a vague education line. If the advert mentions A Levels, UCAS points, specific subjects, or Level 3 qualifications, make the match easy to find. Example: > A Levels: Maths B, Computer Science B, Physics C Or, for an equivalent route: > BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business: DMM If you have equivalent qualifications rather than A Levels, name them clearly. The goal is not to force A Levels into every CV. The goal is to prove the level the employer is asking for. Include them if the subjects support the job Subject relevance can matter more than age. An experienced finance candidate with A Level Maths may decide to keep it briefly if their degree is in another field. A marketing applicant may keep English or Psychology if it strengthens a writing or audience insight angle. A teaching assistant applicant may keep relevant subjects if they support classroom work. Keep the detail proportionate. A single line can be enough for an experienced candidate: > A Levels: Maths, Business Studies, English Language Do not expand school education into a full block unless it is still central to the application. Shorten them after a degree If you have a degree, your A Levels usually move into a smaller supporting role. Many graduate CVs include them, especially when grades are strong, subjects are relevant, or the employer asks for a certain academic background. A graduate education section might look like this: > University of Leeds, BA Economics, 2023, 2:1 > A Levels: Maths A, Economics B, History B This is enough. The degree leads because it is the stronger qualification. A Levels add context without taking over the section. If your degree subject and work experience already prove the same point, you can shorten further: > Education: BA Economics, University of Leeds, 2:1; A Levels including Maths and Economics. For more graduate education decisions, use the graduate CV UK guide. Remove or compress them when experience is stronger Once you have a clear work history, recent achievements should carry the CV. At that point, A Levels can be reduced to one line or removed. For example, a project manager with eight years of delivery experience should use space for budgets, stakeholders, deadlines, risks, teams, and outcomes. A long school education section would slow the reader down. That does not mean qualifications are unimportant. It means the strongest proof has changed. Your CV should follow that change.

How to format A Levels on a CV

A Levels usually sit in the education section. Where that section appears depends on your career stage.

If you are early in your career, education can come after your profile and before work experience. If you have strong work history, education usually goes after experience. If the role has strict academic requirements, education may move higher even for experienced candidates.

For broader section-order advice, use the education on CV guide and CV structure guide.

01

Basic A Level format

Use a clean format that shows the qualification, institution, dates, subjects, and grades where relevant.

Example:

A Levels, Northbridge Sixth Form, 2023-2025 Maths A, Physics B, Computer Science B

If you want a shorter version:

A Levels: Maths A, Physics B, Computer Science B

Both are fine. The longer version suits early-career CVs. The shorter version suits graduates and experienced candidates.

02

Predicted A Level grades

If you are still studying, label predicted grades clearly. Do not make predicted grades look final.

Example:

A Levels, predicted 2026: Biology A, Chemistry B, Psychology B

Or:

Currently studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology; predicted ABB.

Predicted grades are useful for apprenticeships, university-related applications, internships, school leaver schemes, and part-time jobs where your current study explains your availability or direction.

If your predicted grades are not confirmed yet, do not invent them. You can write:

Currently studying A Levels in Maths, Business, and Geography; results expected August 2026.

Accuracy matters more than polish.

03

A Levels without strong grades

You do not always need to include grades. If grades are weak and the subjects matter more than the results, list subjects only.

Example:

A Levels: English Language, Media Studies, Sociology

This can be enough for an early-career CV where the rest of the application shows practical evidence. If an employer specifically asks for grades, you should not hide them, but for many roles the subjects are enough.

Avoid writing a defensive explanation next to each grade. If there is a genuine reason for weaker results, handle it elsewhere only if needed. The CV should stay focused on evidence, not excuses.

04

Incomplete or failed A Levels

Only include incomplete A Levels if they help explain your education path or if the subjects still support your application. Be careful with wording.

If you left sixth form and moved to a vocational route, your CV might say:

Completed Year 12 study in Biology, Psychology, and PE before moving to a Level 3 Health and Social Care course.

If the incomplete study adds no value, leave it out and list your completed qualifications instead.

Do not write “failed A Levels” on a CV. Use neutral, factual wording if the information is necessary, and keep the focus on what you completed, learned, or did next.

05

UCAS points on a CV

UCAS Tariff points can be useful when a university, college, apprenticeship, or graduate scheme asks for them. UCAS explains that points help compare Level 3 qualifications, but many offers and requirements are still grade-based, and providers set their own entry requirements.

For ordinary job applications, grades are usually clearer than UCAS points. A hiring manager is more likely to understand “Maths B, Physics B, Computer Science C” than a points total with no subject detail.

Use UCAS points only when they answer a requirement. A simple format is:

A Levels: Maths B, Physics B, Computer Science C; UCAS Tariff: 120 points.

If the advert does not mention UCAS points, you probably do not need them.

06

Equivalent Level 3 qualifications

Not everyone has A Levels. That is fine. If you have BTEC, T Level, Access to HE, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers, Welsh Baccalaureate, or another relevant qualification, list it clearly.

Example:

T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development, Merit, 2025

Or:

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering, DMM, 2024

If the article title brought you here because you are comparing A Levels with other qualifications, use the same principle: list the qualification that proves your fit most clearly.

A Level CV examples by career stage

Different readers need different levels of education detail. Use these examples as models, not scripts.

01

School leaver or sixth-form student

A school leaver CV can put education near the top because it is often the strongest evidence.

Example:

A Levels, Riverside Sixth Form, 2024-2026 English Literature, Psychology, Business; predicted BBC Relevant evidence: completed business coursework on customer research and presented findings to a group of 20 students.

This gives more than a subject list. It shows current study, predicted results, and one practical example.

If you are writing this type of CV, the school leaver CV guide and first job CV guide will help you decide how to use coursework, volunteering, part-time work, and responsibilities.

02

Student applying for part-time work

A student CV does not need a huge education section for a casual retail, hospitality, tutoring, or customer service job. But A Levels can still show reliability and current study.

Example:

Currently studying A Levels in Maths, Economics, and Geography; available evenings and weekends.

Then use experience, skills, and availability to do the rest of the work.

If you have part-time work, put that above education if it is stronger. Use the work experience on CV guide to turn shifts, customer service, stock work, tutoring, or volunteering into useful bullet points.

03

Apprenticeship applicant

A Levels can be helpful for apprenticeship applications, especially if the route asks for Level 3 study, relevant subjects, English and maths, or evidence that you can handle training.

Example:

A Levels: Maths B, Physics C, Product Design B GCSEs: English Language 6, Maths 7 Relevant project: designed and tested a small mechanical prototype for Product Design coursework.

This works because it links education to the apprenticeship route. For more detail, use the apprenticeship CV UK guide.

04

Recent graduate

A graduate CV usually leads with the degree, then includes A Levels briefly if useful.

Example:

University of Manchester, BSc Psychology, 2:1, 2025 A Levels: Psychology A, Biology B, English Literature B

If the A Levels support the graduate role, include them. If they repeat the degree evidence and space is tight, shorten or remove them.

05

Experienced professional

An experienced candidate may not need A Levels at all. If you keep them, make the line short.

Example:

Education: CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma; A Levels including English and Business.

This avoids over-detailing school education while still showing relevant background.

06

Career changer

A career changer may keep older A Levels if they support the new direction.

Example:

A Levels: Maths, Computer Science, Business Studies. Recent self-study in Python and data analysis.

This can help if you are moving into a technical or analytical route and your work history does not yet prove the same skill set. But do not rely on A Levels alone. Pair them with current learning, projects, or training.

Skills and evidence you can draw from A Levels

A Levels are not just a line in the education section. They can help you decide what evidence to include elsewhere on the CV, especially if you have limited work history.

Do not write “excellent analytical skills” simply because you studied a subject. Show the task, method, or outcome.

Subject evidence that can support your CV

Maths: numeracy, problem-solving, data handling, finance, engineering, technology, analysis. English: writing, reading comprehension, argument, proofreading, communication, content work. Sciences: practical method, accuracy, lab discipline, technical reasoning, evidence handling. Computer Science: programming logic, problem-solving, systems thinking, debugging, digital interest. Business or Economics: commercial awareness, research, presentations, market understanding, data interpretation. Psychology or Sociology: research, people insight, ethics, written analysis, evidence evaluation. Languages: communication, cultural awareness, translation, customer service, international work. Art, Design, Media, or Photography: portfolio work, visual judgement, creative process, project development.

Different subjects can support different job targets:

These are not automatic claims. They become useful only when you connect them to proof.

Turn A Level work into CV bullets

If you have limited work experience, coursework and projects can become short evidence bullets. Weak: > Studied Business A Level. Better: > Researched customer loyalty schemes for Business coursework, comparing three retailers and presenting recommendations in a written report. Weak: > Good at science. Better: > Completed Chemistry practical work requiring accurate measurement, safe lab routines, and clear written observations. Weak: > Studied Computer Science. Better: > Built a small Python revision tool for coursework, testing inputs and improving error messages after peer feedback. This approach is especially useful for early-career CVs, apprenticeships, internships, and roles where your education is still doing a lot of the work.

If you have limited work experience, coursework and projects can become short evidence bullets.

Weak:

Studied Business A Level.

Better:

Researched customer loyalty schemes for Business coursework, comparing three retailers and presenting recommendations in a written report.

Weak:

Good at science.

Better:

Completed Chemistry practical work requiring accurate measurement, safe lab routines, and clear written observations.

Weak:

Studied Computer Science.

Better:

Built a small Python revision tool for coursework, testing inputs and improving error messages after peer feedback.

This approach is especially useful for early-career CVs, apprenticeships, internships, and roles where your education is still doing a lot of the work.

Keep skills realistic

“Working knowledge of Python from A Level coursework.” “Academic experience analysing business case studies.” “Confident writing structured essays and reports.” “Experience presenting research findings to a class group.”

Avoid inflating A Level study into professional expertise. Studying Computer Science does not make you a software engineer. Studying Business does not prove you can manage accounts. Studying Psychology does not prove professional counselling skill.

Use accurate phrasing:

This sounds more credible than overstated claims.

Common mistakes with A Levels on a CV

01

Mistake 1: Giving A Levels too much space

A Levels should not dominate a CV if your recent experience is stronger. If you have several years of relevant work, use space for achievements, projects, tools, responsibilities, and results.

Fix it by reducing school education to one line or removing it where it adds no value.

02

Mistake 2: Hiding relevant subjects

If the job asks for numeracy, writing, science, language skills, or Level 3 study, relevant subjects should be easy to find. Do not bury them below long hobbies, old work experience, or vague education wording.

Fix it by writing a clear education line and placing education where it supports the application.

03

Mistake 3: Using UCAS points when grades are clearer

UCAS points are useful for some education and training contexts, but they can be less helpful for ordinary job applications. Many employers understand subjects and grades faster.

Fix it by listing grades unless the advert specifically asks for points.

04

Mistake 4: Not labelling predicted grades

Predicted grades must be labelled. Presenting them as final results can damage trust.

Fix it by writing “predicted” or “results expected” clearly.

05

Mistake 5: Over-explaining weak grades

A CV is not the place for a long explanation of disappointing grades. If the subjects are still useful, list them briefly. If they are not useful and not required, leave them out.

Fix it by focusing on stronger evidence: recent work, projects, training, volunteering, or current study.

06

Mistake 6: Listing school history in the wrong order

A CV should help the reader quickly assess your fit. If education is the strongest evidence, it can go high. If experience is stronger, it should not be pushed down by old school details.

Fix it by using a structure that matches your career stage. The UK CV format guide can help with ordering.

Final checklist before you send your CV

Use this checklist to make the final decision.

Why this matters

Keep the evidence specific

A useful final test is this: would the education section help the recruiter make a faster decision? If yes, keep the detail. If no, shorten it or remove it.

  1. 1

    Keep A Levels if they are recent, relevant, requested, or stronger than your work history.

  2. 2

    Include grades when they are strong, required, or useful for the role.

  3. 3

    Label predicted grades clearly.

  4. 4

    Use subjects only if grades are weak or not needed.

  5. 5

    Put education high on the CV if you are a school leaver, student, apprentice applicant, or recent graduate.

  6. 6

    Move education lower if your work experience is stronger.

  7. 7

    Shorten A Levels after a degree unless the subjects or grades still help.

  8. 8

    Remove old A Levels from an experienced CV if they do not support the target role.

  9. 9

    Use UCAS points only when the advert or education provider asks for them.

  10. 10

    Include equivalent Level 3 qualifications clearly if you do not have A Levels.

  11. 11

    Check that no education detail pushes stronger achievements off the page.

  12. 12

    Keep formatting simple, consistent, and easy to scan.

Official sources to check

01

Official sources to check

Use authoritative sources when you need to check qualification level, CV structure, or UCAS points. Requirements can vary by employer, provider, sector, and route.

GOV.UK’s qualification levels list is useful for confirming that A Levels are Level 3 qualifications: https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels

GOV.UK’s school leaving age page gives useful post-16 education and training context in England: https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

The National Careers Service CV sections page is useful for CV ordering, tailoring, and education-section basics: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/cv-sections

UCAS Tariff guidance is useful when you need to understand points for education or provider requirements: https://www.ucas.com/applying/before-you-apply/what-and-where-to-study/entry-requirements/calculate-your-ucas-tariff-points

These sources should not replace the job advert. Always check the employer’s requirements first, then decide how much A Level detail the CV needs.

Should You Include A Levels FAQs

Should I include A Levels if I have a degree? Open

Usually yes, but briefly. Put your degree first, then add A Levels in one line if the grades are strong, the subjects are relevant, or the employer asks for them. If your degree and work experience already prove the point, you can remove or shorten the A Level line.

Should I include A Level grades on my CV? Open

Include grades when they are strong, requested, recent, or relevant. If grades are weak and the subjects matter more, list subjects only unless the employer specifically asks for grades.

Should I include predicted A Level grades? Open

Yes, if you are still studying and the application needs education evidence. Label them clearly as predicted. If predictions are not confirmed, list subjects and write that results are expected in the relevant month and year.

Should I include failed A Levels? Open

Do not write “failed A Levels” on a CV. If incomplete study helps explain your route, use neutral wording such as “Completed Year 12 study in…” or focus on the completed qualification you moved to. Leave the detail out if it adds no value.

Should I include UCAS points on my CV? Open

Only include UCAS points if the advert, provider, or scheme asks for them. For most job CVs, subjects and grades are clearer. If you do include points, keep the subjects and grades visible too.

Should I include GCSEs as well as A Levels? Open

Early-career candidates often include both, especially English and maths. Experienced candidates usually shorten GCSEs first. If an employer asks for English and maths, make those qualifications easy to find.

Where should A Levels go on a CV? Open

Put them in the education section. For school leavers, students, and recent graduates, education can sit near the top. For experienced candidates, education usually goes after work experience.

How far back should education go on a CV? Open

Go back as far as the qualifications still help. School leavers may include GCSEs and A Levels in detail. Graduates may include degree and A Levels briefly. Experienced professionals may list only higher education, professional qualifications, or relevant training.

Should I put A Levels on a two-page CV? Open

Only if they help. A two-page CV is not a reason to keep every old qualification. If the A Levels support your target role, include them briefly. If not, use the space for recent evidence.

Can I list A Levels without the school name? Open

Yes, especially on a concise CV. A line such as “A Levels: Maths B, Economics B, English C” is often enough. Add the school or college name if education is a major part of the CV or if the section would otherwise feel too thin.

Build a CV with the right education detail

Start with the role, then decide what the recruiter needs to know about your education. In Modern CV, you can test different section orders, keep A Levels concise, and build a clean UK layout that gives school, college, university, training, and work evidence the right amount of space.

Open the builder, add your strongest recent evidence first, then include A Levels only where they help the reader make a faster decision.

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Quick navigation

1 Should You Include A Levels? The quick answer 2 When to include, shorten, or remove A Levels 3 How to format A Levels on a CV 4 A Level CV examples by career stage 5 Skills and evidence you can draw from A Levels 6 Common mistakes with A Levels on a CV 7 Final checklist before you send your CV 8 Official sources to check 9 Should You Include A Levels FAQs 10 Related guides 11 Build a CV with the right education detail

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