Going to university having graduated from US high school

I'm just starting to look into going to university here in the UK, not on a student visa though. I suppose I would be a "mature student" (but gosh that makes me sound old! ). I've requested a copy of my transcript from my high school so I can't really give details of my grades but I never took any AP classes which I've seen here seems to count as an A level. Has anyone else gone to school in the UK as a UK citizen but with a US diploma? Will I have to take a bunch of A-levels or do something horrible and complicated to get in?

A lot of Americans at my uni went straight from high school onto their degree course with no AP classes. I've only taken a couple of AP classes and had the option of going straight onto a bachelors. So to answer your question, you sure can go straight to uni . Some courses are more competitive than others though.

Ah cheers, that's a bit of a relief. I really feel a bit over my head starting a university search, I feel like everything I once learned about it is completely useless.

As a mature student, I think the concern is more evidencing motivation and interest rather than marks at high school.

Knowing what you'd like to study at uni may help with this. Ways to boost your application may be to either volunteer or take lower level courses in your subject area of interest. For example, I know someone (a mature student) who has completed Year 2 level courses about mental health from the Open University to get into the BA (Hons) Social Work programme of her choice, alongside relevant volunteering.

She got a place, no problems!     

http://www.do-it.org.uk/

Good luck - sounds exciting! 

missjoules,
    Have you found out any news that would be helpful? I find myself in a similar situation. I am now officially a British Citizen, but all of my education has been in the US. That includes my H.S Diploma and approx 70 college credits. I'm a bit older than the average student (38), but I plan on going to Uni for Adult Nursing next year, at least once I figure out what all the hurdles are anyway. I figure 10 years military service (Navy) and 12 years experience as a Paramedic, Phlebotomist and CNA will all help add to my application. I just wonder, do we send transcripts like in the US or do we have unofficial transcripts evaluated by NARIC?

I'm sorry Guvnor, but I've not looked into it much more, I'm afraid. I'm waiting until our son goes to school in a few years so at the minute everything is still in the very early stages, but if you do find out more keep us updated!