Families who choose A-levels are usually looking for more than exam preparation. They are looking for a school that supports the individual child and helps them develop their strengths. In leading international schools, preparation for top universities is built around a student’s interests, abilities and learning pace. This approach delivers not only strong exam results, but also confidence, independence and long-term readiness for life beyond school.
The A-level programme is widely regarded as the gold standard of academic preparation for admission to the world’s leading universities. A-level results form the foundation of admissions decisions at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, LSE and most top UK universities, and are highly valued by universities across Europe, the USA and Canada.
Leading A-Level Schools Worldwide
This ranking has been prepared to help parents understand which schools and academic approaches are considered reliable and consistently strong in global practice, and what to look for when choosing an A-level pathway for their child.
The ranking is based on publicly available data, including A-level examination results, school reports and information from official examination boards (Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, AQA). We selected schools that demonstrate strong and consistent outcomes year after year and provide effective preparation for admission to leading universities.
Westminster School, United Kingdom
Founded around 960 AD in close association with Westminster Abbey, Westminster School has nearly a thousand years of academic tradition, where intellectual rigour has always been central to school culture. Alumni include writers, scientists and political leaders. The majority of students achieve the highest grades of A and A* across most subjects. The school is clearly oriented towards academic excellence and a highly intellectual environment.
Academic profile: approximately 90-92% A-A* grades
Average student outcome: equivalent to A*AA
Strongest subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Economics
Fees: approximately £45,000-£50,000 per year
Westminster is characterised by a highly selective admissions process and a strong emphasis on analytical thinking.
St Paul’s School, United Kingdom
Founded in 1509 by John Colet, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the school was established with the idea of educating independent and intellectually curious individuals, a philosophy that remains central today. One of St Paul’s distinctive features is academic freedom combined with a high level of personal responsibility.
Senior students frequently engage in scientific and economic discussions comparable to first-year university level. A-level results are consistently strong, particularly in mathematics, physics, economics and the sciences. A large proportion of graduates progress to Russell Group universities.
Academic profile: approximately 88–90% A-A* grades
Average student outcome: equivalent to AAA / A*AA
Strongest subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Economics
Fees: approximately £40,000-£45,000 per year
St Paul’s places strong emphasis on individual academic pathways and early preparation for university study.
Wycombe Abbey, United Kingdom
One of the world’s strongest girls’ schools by A-level outcomes, Wycombe Abbey was founded in 1896 by Frances Dove. It was established with the aim of providing girls with an education equal to that of the leading boys’ schools of the time.
Today, Wycombe Abbey is internationally recognised for preparing students for medicine, science and engineering. High academic expectations are balanced with a strong focus on student wellbeing. A-level outcomes are consistently at A/A* level, particularly in STEM subjects and medicine-related fields.
Academic profile: approximately 85-88% A-A* grades
Average student outcome: equivalent to A*AA
Strongest subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Medicine-related subjects
Fees (boarding): approximately £45,000-£50,000 per year
The school combines academic excellence with a supportive and attentive pastoral environment.
Brighton College, United Kingdom
Founded in 1845, Brighton College is often regarded as one of the most forward-thinking traditional British schools. While maintaining strong academic standards, the school actively modernises its teaching approach. Notably, Brighton College was among the first to emphasise student wellbeing alongside academic results, well before this became a global trend.
A-level outcomes typically range from A to B*, making the school accessible to a broader range of academically motivated students.
Academic profile: approximately 75-80% A-A* grades
Average student outcome: equivalent to AAB-AAA
Strongest subjects: Natural Sciences, Psychology, Economics, Art and Design
Fees: approximately £38,000-£42,000 per year
What these schools have in common
Schools with centuries-long histories are valued not only for their traditions, but for their proven educational approaches: high academic expectations, a culture of intellectual thinking, respect for the individual student and a clear understanding of how to prepare young people for university study.
Modern international schools, including CIS International School, build on this experience while adapting it to today’s realities. A-level programmes are designed around each student’s interests, family goals and long-term educational trajectory. This balance between time-tested academic standards and contemporary approaches allows schools to maintain academic excellence while preparing students for life and learning in a rapidly changing world.
To learn more about international education pathways in Russia, we invite you to register for an Open Day at CIS International School.
