​Entry requirements​

We normally expect applicants to have a minimum of grade 4/C in GCSE English Language and, for most courses, GCSE grade 4/C in Mathematics. A higher level of achievement in specific GCSEs is required for some courses and details of these are included in the relevant course entry.

An applicant’s overall GCSE grade profile is also considered alongside the specific GCSE requirements listed. 

Applicants are normally expected to have at least three A levels. In many cases, specific subjects are required, and these will be indicated in the typical offers listed for the course.

A level Science Practical Endorsement (for those studying in England)

We believe that practical skills in science are important to aid understanding of the relevant subjects. While we do not widely include the passing of the practical skills element in the conditions of an offer, it is our expectation that this element will be successfully completed. Where the practical skills element is required as part of an offer, this is stated in the typical offers listed for the course.

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider these as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include them as part of our offer conditions, they may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results.

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects or a combination of the Pre-U and A levels, provided a minimum of three subjects overall are taken. We recognise the benefit of the Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) course in developing independent study and research skills. While we would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions. However, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results.

Applicants are required to have the full International Baccalaureate Diploma with at least three subjects studied at Higher Level. As well as an overall points score, specific subjects and points will be required at Higher Level. Applicants taking IB Certificates at Higher Level outside of the full diploma may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on overall profile, breadth and depth of study.

We are happy to consider Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA) and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (AI) as being suitable to meet our GCSE (SL equivalent) and A level (HL equivalent) Maths requirements.

If you are studying Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, you will usually need at least two subjects at Advanced Higher, sometimes in specified subjects, alongside Highers in three other subjects.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Diploma to 2024/ WJEC Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (Level 3) from 2025, is accepted as equivalent to one A Level subject at the same grade, alongside two A levels, providing individual course entry and specific subject requirements are met. 

If you are studying the Irish Leaving Certificate, you will need at least five Higher Level passes.

A combination of the National Extended Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma alongside two A levels and the National Diploma/Diploma alongside one A level are acceptable for entry to the vast majority of our degree courses. National Extended Diplomas/Extended Diplomas in relevant subjects are also suitable entry qualifications for many of our courses. However, in some cases, A levels will also be required to ensure suitable academic preparation. A certain level of achievement in specific units may also be required, particularly if these are relevant to the proposed degree.

Due to the specific nature of some of the grade and unit requirements, please refer to individual course pages for more detailed information. We advise applicants to avoid combinations of similar subjects in their BTECs and A levels.

BTEC HND and HNC are also considered and in some cases may allow applicants to progress directly to Year 2 of the course.

A combination of the Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma/Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate alongside two A levels, and the Cambridge Technical Diploma alongside one A level are acceptable for entry to the vast majority of our degree courses.

The Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma in relevant subjects is also a suitable entry qualification for many of our courses. However, in some cases, A levels will also be required to ensure suitable academic preparation. Some courses may specify levels of achievement in specific units or ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.

We advise applicants to avoid combinations of similar subjects in their Cambridge Technicals and A levels.

For 2024 entry, the following T Levels are currently being considered on a case by case basis. Typical offers will ask for an overall grade and a specific grade from the Core Component.

• T Level Building Services Engineering for Construction (Electrotechnical Engineering Occupational Specialism and Electrical and Electronic Equipment Engineering Occupational Specialism) is considered for Foundation courses in related subject areas.
• T Level Construction: Design, surveying and planning is considered for entry onto the first year of undergraduate Construction and Urban Planning degree courses. It is not currently considered where courses have an A Level Mathematics and/ or Physics subject requirement.
• T Level Digital Business Services (Data Technician Occupational Specialism) is considered for Foundation courses in related subject areas.
• T Level Digital: Digital Production, design and development is considered for entry onto the first year of undergraduate Design and Industrial Design courses. It is not currently considered where Design courses have an A Level Mathematics and/or Physics subject requirement.
• T Level Digital Support and Services (Digital Infrastructure, Networking Cabling and Digital Support Occupational Specialisms) is considered for Foundation courses in related subject areas.
• T Level Science (Laboratory Sciences Occupational Specialism) is considered for entry onto the first year of undergraduate Chemistry degree courses.
• T Level Health is considered for Foundation courses in related subject areas.
• T Level Health and Science is considered for Foundation courses in related subject areas.
• T Level Healthcare Science is considered for Foundation courses in related subject areas.

T Level courses in:

• accounting
• design and development for engineering and manufacturing
• engineering, manufacturing, processing and control
• finance
• maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing
• management and administration

Have been reviewed to determine their suitability for entry onto relevant degree programmes for 2024 entry.

We are in the process of updating individual course entries with entry requirements from acceptable T Levels. Whilst these updates are made, our Admissions Office will be happy to advise you on consideration of T Levels for entry on to your chosen course.

An Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject area will be considered on a case-by-case basis for entry to most of our courses. We require 60 credits overall, 45 of which should be at Level 3. In most cases, Distinction or Merit may be required in certain units.

Core Maths may be useful for a range of degree subjects where enhanced numerical or statistical skills are beneficial. However, Core Maths is not equivalent in size to an A level and therefore is not a suitable replacement for A level Maths where this is a required subject.

We consider the Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) for many of our courses when taken in conjunction with two academic A levels. We would expect to see the Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS) already achieved, and will accept the combination of older ifs University Colleges certificates with the newly named LIBF Diploma.

Achievement in Open University courses are recognised as appropriate qualifications for entry. We would normally expect 120 Level 1 credits for first year entry and there may be requirements for specific subjects to have been studied.

We accept a wide range of international qualifications such as the European Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, German Abitur, Hong Kong DSE, and Indian Standard XII among many others worldwide, alongside well-established International Foundation Programmes. For further information about acceptable qualifications visit our international webpages for more information.

We also accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants that have followed a 12-year education system for entry onto our International Foundation Programme through ONCAMPUS º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.

All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language. We normally ask for a minimum of a grade 4/C in GCSE English Language but we also accept a range of alternative school-based qualifications from the UK and internationally, as well as tests of English for speakers of a foreign language, such as IELTS, TOEFL and Pearson.

Please be aware that because of the nature of certain subject areas, some courses require higher levels of achievement in English language. Details of any additional GCSE English language requirements are included in our course specific entry requirements. Full details of the acceptable English language requirements can be found on our website.

The NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity is not accepted alone for entry to any of our degree programmes.