'The great thing about studying in the UK is that even if you don’t meet the requirements for one course, you can choose another at a different level and work your way up. The UK offers study options to suit international students at all levels.'
Entry requirements for UK undergraduate study
The qualifications you need depend on the course you want to study. You should have completed at least 13 years of education in your own country or in the UK, and have taken pre-university qualifications equivalent to UK A-levels, Scottish Highers or National Diplomas.
If you haven’t got these qualifications yet don’t worry – you can still aim for undergraduate study in the UK but you may need to do a preparatory course first. Try searching for a career-based or pre-university course in the Search tool, to the top-right of this website.
Here are some examples of the qualifications that may be required.
For an HND:
- Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two Scottish Highers or a Higher National Certificate or BTEC National Diploma; or an international foundation year.
For a Foundation Degree:
- Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, one or two Scottish Highers or a National Diploma; or an international foundation year.
For a Diploma of Higher Education:
- Minimum 40+ UCAS points from one or two A-levels; plus five GCSEs grades A* to C (flexible).
For a Degree in England, Northern Ireland and Wales:
- 180 UCAS points from two to three A-levels, plus five GCSEs grades A to C.
For a Degree in Scotland:
- Three to five Highers.
Entrance to year two or three of an undergraduate degree is also possible across the UK with HNDs, DipHEs, FdA or FdSc.
Entry requirements for postgraduate or MBA study
To begin a postgraduate course in the UK, you'll need to hold an undergraduate degree from the UK or overseas. You'll generally be expected to have obtained a first or good 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a directly related subject.
Entry requirements for postgraduate or MBA study
To begin a postgraduate course in the UK, you'll need to hold an undergraduate degree from the UK or overseas. You'll generally be expected to have obtained a first or good 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a directly related subject.
Here are some examples of the qualifications you will may need for postgraduate or MBA study.
- Pre-master's: undergraduate degree
- PG Cert/PG Dip: undergraduate degree or a pre-master's course
- Master's degree: first or upper second class undergraduate degree plus IELTS 7.0, or a pre-master's course
- MBA: first degree plus 2-3 years’ business experience
- PhD: master's degree.
Entry requirements for UK independent schools
To apply to a UK independent school, you'll need to have a good standard of education from your own country. You won't be expected to have passed formal qualifications, but may be asked to sit the school's own entrance exam in subjects such as English and Maths.
The common entrance exam is also used by many schools for students who enter at the age of 13.
Entry requirements for career-based and pre-university study
The qualifications you’ll need will depend on the course you want to study. Some qualifications (such as A-levels Scottish Highers and BTEC National Diplomas) are below university level and lead directly on to higher education. Others (such as HNDs and foundation degrees) are university-level qualifications that enable you to join a degree course in the second or third year.
Here are some examples of the qualifications you may need for entry to various courses.
- BTEC National Diploma: good general high school education equivalent to four GCSEs grades A - C.
- AS/A-levels: good general high school education equivalent to five GCSEs grades A - C.
- Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers: good general high school equivalent to six Standard Grade qualifications grades 1-3.
- International Foundation Year: 12 years of school education or equivalent in your own country.
- HND: qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year.
- Foundation Degree: qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year.
Entry requirements for English language courses
There are many courses available to international students - from beginners to those who are practically perfect! You can also come for a short course during your holidays, or for an intensive year-long course, or many other options.
As a result, each language course and school will set its own entry requirements.
Improving your English language skills
If you want to study at further or higher education level in the UK (i.e. at a university or college) you may need to demonstrate your English language skills before you can be accepted onto a course or gain a visa.
To find out if this is the case, ask the university or college you are interested in studying at.
They may ask to see proof that you have reached their required standard by setting you a test, or by asking for an English language qualification.
There are many courses available to international students - from beginners to those who are practically perfect! You can also come for a short course during your holidays, or for an intensive year-long course, or many other options.
As a result, each language course and school will set its own entry requirements.
Improving your English language skills
If you want to study at further or higher education level in the UK (i.e. at a university or college) you may need to demonstrate your English language skills before you can be accepted onto a course or gain a visa.
To find out if this is the case, ask the university or college you are interested in studying at.
They may ask to see proof that you have reached their required standard by setting you a test, or by asking for an English language qualification.
Information about recognised English language tests can be found at:
- Take IELTS - The British Council's Official website for IELTS test takers
- PTE Academic website
- Cambridge English: Advanced website
- Trinity College London website.
You could either do a course in your own country, or you could study a language course in the UK.
You can search for English language courses in the UK in the course finder, to the top-right of this website.
You can search for English language courses in the UK in the course finder, to the top-right of this website.
