There are a variety of requirements for undergraduate courses at the University – the information below provides an overview of our standard requirements.
- Before you apply for any course, you’ll need to check the specific course entry requirements. Precise entry requirements vary from degree to degree, and some courses don’t accept all the qualifications listed below.
- Courses with subject pre-requisites also require specific grades or scores in individual subjects.
- All applications are considered on an individual basis. Any offers are dependent on the overall profile of the applicant and the decision depends on a number of factors.
- If you’re taking a qualification that’s not listed below, please contact the admissions team for your course, who will let you know whether your specific qualifications are accepted for entry onto your chosen course.
International entry requirements
If you’re applying from outside of the UK, you’ll need to check the entry requirements that apply to your country.
You can find entry requirements, qualifications we accept, and a range of other information on our country pages.
All applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English, normally demonstrated by grade 4 or grade C or above in GCSE English Language or an acceptable English language qualification.
We don’t have a general policy on preferred subjects at GCSE, aside from English Language and Mathematics, which are required at a minimum of grade 4 or grade C or above.
Due to the nature of certain subject areas, some courses require higher levels of achievement in English Language, or achievement in other GCSEs (for example GCSE Mathematics).
We look for the following numerical and letter graded GCSEs:
- A* = 8
- A = 7
- B = 6
- C = 4
Details of any additional GCSE requirements are included in our course entry requirements.
International GCSEs
We accept international GCSEs (iGCSEs) as equivalent to UK GCSEs and accepts them on a grade-for-grade basis.
We accept international GCSEs from the main examining boards (Cambridge International Exams (CIE), Pearson/Edexcel and Oxford International AQA Exams) and don’t make a distinction between them in terms of offers made or grades required.
Applied GCSE Mathematics courses
Applied GCSE Mathematics courses (such as WJEC Mathematics – Numeracy) at Grade C are considered to have an acceptable level of numeracy for entry to most of our courses. They’re not accepted for entry to some courses, for instance where GCSE Mathematics is a specific requirement.
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc)
The English Baccalaureate is not required for entry onto our undergraduate degrees. We welcome applicants offering the English Baccalaureate, but we will treat them equally to those achieving in a range of GCSE subjects.
Applicants taking A-levels are normally expected to offer three full A-levels. Most of our courses require grades in the region of AAA-ABB at A-level.
There are courses where lower grades are required and some courses that require higher grades. We advise you to check the specific entry requirements for your chosen course before applying.
If you’re taking more than three A-levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We only make offers consisting of three A-level grades.
- If you need further help or guidance about your A-Level or AS-Level requirements, please contact the admissions team.
Practical Science
We believe that practical skills in the sciences are integral to an understanding and appreciation of these subjects. Therefore, we require all applicants offering one or more of these subjects at A-level to pass the practical skills assessment in addition to achieving the required grade(s) in the written examination(s). This helps keep the process fair as we will be asking students from England to demonstrate the same level and breadth of knowledge as those from Northern Ireland and Wales (for whom the practical skills assessment will remain an integral element of their overall grade).
If you’ve applied for a science or engineering degree, the requirement to pass the practical skills assessment will be included in your offer.
If you’ve been unable to take the practical assessment, contact the admissions team for your chosen course before applying. They’ll be able to clarify whether your specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to your chosen course.
AS-level results
AS-level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at the University. The exception to this is Medicine and Dentistry courses, where the School of Medical Science requires evidence of a broad programme of study.
You’ll need to present with three A-levels plus 'some other study/activity.' This could be a fourth AS-level, Extended Project Qualification, National Citizenship Award, or you may have completed a specific widening access programme.
If you have questions on the acceptability of your qualification portfolio, please contact the admissions team directly.
International A-levels
We accept International A-levels as equivalent to GCE A-levels and accepts them on a grade-for-grade basis.
We accept International A-levels from the main examining boards (Cambridge International Exams (CIE), Pearson/Edexcel and Oxford International AQA Exams), and don’t make a distinction between them in terms of offers made or gradesrequired.
A level resits
If you’re resitting AS-Level units to improve your final grade within the two-year period of A-level completion, your application will normally be considered equally alongside other applications according to the standard selection process.
If you’re resitting AS-Level units or A2 exams and as a result, are taking longer than two years to complete your qualifications, you may be set a higher entry requirement than is standard. Alternatively, if you’re applying for highly competitive courses, your application may not be considered equally when compared with those who are not resitting.
In all cases, we may ask for further information about the reasons for resitting to inform our overall review of the application. Each case is considered individually.
Duration of study
Applications will be considered against the standard selection process of your chosen course if you have:
a) sat your examinations early;
or
b) followed an accelerated curriculum and spent three years studying A-levels where the examinations were taken over two years.
If you're studying an advanced curriculum where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions team for that subject. Each application in these circumstances is considered on a case-by-case basis and we may request further information to support our overall review.
A-levels in a native or heritage language
We consider applications holistically, taking into consideration the overall educational environment. Where a native language A-level has been studied, we’ll consider them on an equal basis with other subjects.
Applied Mathematics A-levels
Applied Mathematics A-levels (such as AQA Use of Mathematics) are acceptable for most courses. They’re not accepted for entry to some courses, for instance where Mathematics A-level is a specific requirement.
A-levels combined with other Level 3 qualifications
We welcome applicants offering a combination of A-level and other Level 3 qualifications. Please note, however, that entry requirements are set at course-level and some of our courses have specific subject requirements. We advise you to contact the admissions team, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to your chosen course.
We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 60 credits overall, with at least 45 at Level 3, 30 credits at distinction and 15 at merit in a relevant subject area to the chosen course.
Entry requirements vary across academic Schools/Departments, and you may be required to achieve higher than the minimum requirement. Please refer to the specific entry requirements for your chosen course.
We also consider other factors such as other educational achievements, life experience and skills on an individual basis.
Applied General qualifications are Level 3 qualifications that allow 16- to 19-year-olds to develop transferable knowledge and skills. They are for students who want to continue their education through applied learning. Applied General qualifications allow entry to a range of higher education courses, either by fully meeting the entry requirements or through acceptance alongside other qualifications at Level 3, such as A Levels.
We’ll consider relevant Applied General qualifications (such as BTECs, Cambridge Technical, CACHE etc) for entry to a number of our undergraduate courses. Some courses specify required levels of achievement in particular units or ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
Students taking combinations of Applied General qualifications or combining them with other Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels, should avoid combinations of similar subjects.
We recognise the benefits of the AQA Baccalaureate and the opportunities it provides to develop independent study and research skills.
In making offers, we’ll focus on the three A-levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate, and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
We welcome applicants studying the Pearson BTEC Qualifications. The following awards are considered for entry onto our programmes of study:
- BTEC National Extended Diploma provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma (for example D*DD or DDM). Some subjects specify required levels of achievements in particular units/modules or ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
- BTEC National Diploma provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma (for example D*D or DD) plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A-level. Some subjects specify required levels of achievements in particular units or ask for additional specific qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
- BTEC National Foundation Diploma provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma (for example D*D or DD) plus additional level 3 qualifications such as (an) A-level/A-level and AS-level. Some subjects specify required levels of achievements in particular units or ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
- BTEC National Extended Certificate provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate (for example D* or D) plus additional Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels. Some subjects specify required levels of achievements in particular units or ask for additional specific qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
We welcome applicants studying the following courses:
- CACHE Level 3 Award in Health and Social Care
- CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care
- CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
We recognise the following qualifications as contributing to entry requirements to a range of our higher education courses in related subject areas, either by meeting entry requirements or being accepted alongside other qualifications at the same level.
In the past, we’ve recruited applicants with CACHE qualifications in Health and Social Care on to our degree programmes in Nursing, Psychology, Sociology and Speech and Language Therapy. Any offers made would be dependent on your overall profile of qualifications and the decision depends on a number of factors.
Admissions decisions are informed by a range of factors and the subject(s) studied should be relevant to the course you are applying for. In many cases, we expect candidates to offer other specific qualifications and/or to achieve specific levels of attainment in pre-requisite subjects, or units. In some cases, an interview will be required.
We advise you to contact the admissions team, who will clarify whether your specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to your chosen course.
We welcome applicants applying with the AICE Diploma and, in making offers; we will focus on the AS and A levels taken within the AICE Diploma.
It should be noted that while the Cambridge AICE will be viewed as meeting our general entry requirements, some courses have specific subject/grade/qualification size requirements (such as a minimum of two A-levels) and you’ll need to check the entry requirements for your chosen course.
We advise you to contact the admissions team for your chosen course for further information and clarification on the suitability of an individual level 3 qualifications portfolio.
We welcome applicants studying the Cambridge Technical Qualifications. The following awards are considered for entry onto our programmes of study:
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma (for example D*DD or DDM). Some subjects specify required levels of achievements in particular units/modules or ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
- Cambridge Technical Diploma provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma (for example D*D or DD). Some subjects specify required levels of achievements in particular units/modules or ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
- Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate (D* or D) plus additional Level 3 qualifications such as A-Levels. Some subjects specify required levels of achievements in particular units or ask for additional specific qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
We welcome and recognise the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g., AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies).
Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.
We advise applicants to contact the admissions team, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.
Principal subjects: The Pre-U Diploma is acceptable for entry to the University and Principal Subjects are accepted in place of A-levels.
In general, D3 equates to grade A at A-level, M1 and M2 to grade B, and M3 to grade C.
GPR and short courses: The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Research (GPR), and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage students to draw upon this experience in their personal statement.
The qualification can form part of your offer condition when taken in combination with two A-levels or equivalent, and grade requirements vary across courses.
We advise you to contact the admissions team, who will clarify whether the specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry onto the chosen course.
The Cambridge Pre-U short course is accepted as equivalent to an AS-level where applicable.
We recognise the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills.
We strongly encourage prospective students to provide information about the EPQ in their personal statement and, if invited, at interview. This is because a number of our academic Schools/Departments may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.
In some cases, admissions tutors may wish to make an alternative offer to applicants, one of which involves successful completion of the EPQ (such as AAA at A-level or AAB plus the Extended Project at Grade A). Where this is the case, it will clearly be stated in the entry requirements for the course.
Functional Skills qualifications are welcomed but are not normally included as part of the standard offer unless otherwise stated in the course entry requirements.
We welcome applicants with the International Baccalaureate qualification.
If you’re studying the International Baccalaureate, you’ll normally be asked to achieve a point score of between 30–39 along with three higher-level subjects. Specific subject and grade prerequisites may also apply. Youshould check the subject-specific entry requirements for your chosen course as the requirement may vary. Here is guidance for grade comparisons to A-level entry requirements:
- A*A*A* = 39 points (IB equivalent)
- A*A*A = 38 points (IB equivalent)
- A*AA = 37 points (IB equivalent)
- AAA = 36 points (IB equivalent)
- AAB = 35 points (IB equivalent)
- ABB = 34 points (IB equivalent)
- BBB = 32 points (IB equivalent)
- BBC = 32-30 points (IB equivalent)
- BCC = 30 points (IB equivalent)
And for higher level subjects, you can refer to the A-level grade comparisons below as guidance:
- A* = 7 (HL grade)
- A = 6 (HL grade)
- B = 5 (HL grade)
Applicants offering IB Certificates combined with other qualifications (A-levels or USA Aps etc) are considered on a case-by-case basis. We advise you to contact the admissions team, who’ll clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry onto the chosen course.
We welcome applicants from Scotland who have taken SQA qualifications.
Entry requirements are set at course level and some of our courses require specific subjects and/or Advanced Highers. We recommend you contact the admissions team, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.
Please note if English Language and Mathematics iare not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher students must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).
Scottish Baccalaureate: We welcome and recognises the value of the Scottish Baccalaureate and the Interdisciplinary Project. Grade requirements vary across courses, and they may need additional qualifications. Students should refer to the specific entry requirements for their chosen course.
Each individual T-Level qualification has been considered by our academic Schools/Departments to assess the suitability for admission to the University.
Information on which T-Levels are accepted as suitable entry qualifications can be viewed on our T-Levels page.
We welcome and recognise the value of the Advanced Welsh Skills Challenge Certificate (Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate) and usually requires two A-levels to be included within this.
The grade required will normally be the same as the lowest A-level grade listed in the course entry requirements.
We advise you to contact the admissions team, who will clarify whether your specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to your chosen course.
Other qualifications and combinations of qualification components
We accept a range of qualifications in addition to those listed above. If you are studying a qualification that’s not listed above, we advise you to contact the admissions team, who will clarify whether your specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to your chosen course.
Home-schooled students
If you are an applicant who has followed a non-standard educational route, for example, you have been educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying.
You’ll need to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course, so we recommend that you review the relevant entry requirements to familiarise yourself with any additional assessment required such as science practical assessments, admissions tests (UCAT) or providing a portfolio of work etc. We’ll also need a reference from someone who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education.
If you are a home-schooled student and would like further information or advice, please contact the admissions team for the course. You’ll need to provide information regarding your specific portfolio of qualifications to assess whether these are acceptable for entry on to your chosen course.