What is the UK equivalent to a USA High School Diploma? | Mumsnet (2024)

There really isn't any equivalent - the education systems are just too different and outside of universities and other places of education, few places will have any idea of what a US high school diploma or different GPAs mean.

Or at least, that's my experience of having a US high school diploma in the UK. They're Level 2/3ish, depending on things, but it's meaningless outside of getting other qualifications, and even that I don't think meant much - it's why UK unis require either additional exams from US students or, like me, get in based mostly on interview. Same is also true in reverse, it's difficult to transfer secondary qualifications between countries.

No equivalent. Between GCSE and A-Level is probably closest. Also the comparison between A-Levels and university varies quite a bit depending on subject. Generally speaking they're considered equivalent to the first year university courses, though (except, obviously, Further Maths). The US high school diploma tends to be more subjects done to less depth and it's hard to make a comparison. I would say that A-Levels are a bit more difficult than the AP classes, but it's close enough for UK universities to accept APs. If you've been able to get 5s on several tests, it's a pretty good testament to your ability even if you perhaps didn't learn one or two topics in the subject. (Oldest is in 11th and has taken several APs now.)

If you're asking what you need to get in to a university here they would generally expect A-Levels.

It’s A levels. US High schools don’t have 16yr olds getting a diploma.

It's rare, even more these days with ever increasing requirements, but it does happen when a 16-year-old has either skipped grades or meets all the graduating requirements before their final year and chooses to graduate. The US system isn't as age locked as in the UK. You can get 16 year olds through 19 year olds in the same graduating class.

Someone who graduates with below a 1.9 GPA is likely below a passing GCSE/Level 2 level in most areas. Someone with a 3.5 + GPA and/or has college credits as part of their high school diploma is likely academically beyond Level 3. Really, there is nothing in just the diploma itself that gives any information on what level a student is at, it requires the GPA plus additional testing and qualifications. It's why there is a growing rate of US high school students taking college credits or other qualification courses alongside. None of these will have much meaning in most of the UK outside universities.

A high school diploma is just an indication that a student has passed the minimum number of classes in subjects required by the state and the local high school district.

My DCs technically had to gain 43 credits in order to get their parchment. This requirement was broken down as follows:
8 credits in English (= 4 years, 2 semesters per year)
6 credits in Mathematics (= 3 years, 2 algebra, 2 geometry, 2 other)
4 credits in Science (= 2 years, 2 lab science credits necessary, plus 2 other)
4 credits in History (= 2 years, credits had to include world history and American history)
1 credit in Civics (= 1 semester, and students had to pass a constitution test)
1 credit World Languages (= MFL or Latin, 1 semester)
1 credit Fine/performing arts (1 semester)
1 credit Applied Arts (choose from Family/consumer science courses, Engineering and tech courses, Business ed courses, Computer applications; 1 semester)
1 credit Computer proficiency (1 semester; used to be called keyboarding; requires proficiency in microsoft office suite, and there was a minimum typing speed/accuracy expected)
1 credit Financial Literacy (either financial literacy course or AP econ satisfied this; 1 semester, but AP econ was a 2 semester commitment)
1 credit Health (taken in freshman PE class for one semester)
1 credit Drivers Ed (done during PE in sophom*ore year; proof of passing state test required if students failed this school driving course; alternative credit required if student did drivers ed outside of school course).
6 PE credits. You had to take PE every day for three years even if you played an extra curricular sport. Exemptions were granted under specific circ*mstances but students had to earn one alternative credit per released semester if given an exemption.
7 credits for Elective subjects.

That's the baseline in my local HS. A student could theoretically gain a 4.0 grade point average while taking these minimum requirements.

Kids who are heading for university generally take on far more courses and at a higher level than the number and level required for graduation. Because of weighted averages, kids taking honours level and AP level courses can end up with GPAs above 4.0.

Kids heading for university also normally do the SAT or ACT or both (though these standardised tests are not required any more by some universities) and I would suggest that this is actually a kind of national exam which is an equivalent of A levels, though obv not in a specific subject. (There used to be SAT subject tests too). There is also the honour of attaining National Merit Finalist status in the PSAT/NMSQT, a national standardised test administered to Juniors (year 11 of 12) which can result in university scholarship money. The top 0.5% of candidates nationwide are named National Merit Finalists.

It's the equivalent of A-Levels. High school is 4 years, 9th grade through 12th grade, which roughly equates to two GCSE years and two A-Level years.

kids who don't graduate high school often go back later and get their GED - General Education Diploma - which roughly equates to GCSEs.

(I'm British but raising school-aged kids in the US.)

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It is if you look at what you need to attend a US college or a UK university. For uni you need a handful of APs, the basic diploma is 5 GCSEs equivalent.

www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/usa/entry-requirements/#country-profile

www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/2015-international-qualifications.pdf

Comparable to GCSE.

UK universities usually require AP classes or SATs in addition to the high school diploma for entry to an undergraduate programme.