Entrance requirements
Before applying, you need to check that you have or are likely to achieve the right grades at the right level and in the right subjects for the course you have chosen.
- Age
- Matriculation requirements
- Qualifications for entry
- Course requirements
- English language requirements
- Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics (STEP)
Age
There is no age requirement for admission to Cambridge, although the vast majority of undergraduates are 18 years or older when they come into residence. All applicants will need to demonstrate that they have the maturity and personal skills to cope with university level study. A student who will be over 21 on commencing a course is classified as a mature student.
Matriculation requirements
In previous years, the University has had minimum entrance requirements for all applicants, known as matriculation requirements. These included the need for a qualification in English, a language other than English, and a mathematical/scientific subject. These requirements have been abolished from 2009 entry onwards.
Please check the specific requirements for the course you are considering.
Qualifications for entry
AS/A levels
AS levels
Cambridge applicants are encouraged to study either four or five AS levels in Year 12. Applicants taking four subjects will not be disadvantaged compared with those taking five subjects. We would normally expect A grades at AS level in subjects which are particularly relevant to the course you are applying for. Separate certification at AS level in the case of subjects being taken at A2 is not a requirement and applicants not cashing in AS levels will not be disadvantaged. All applicants are asked to report (in a supplementary questionnaire) the results of all AS and A2 modules taken to date, whether certificated or not. Colleges will not make unconditional offers on the basis of AS level grades alone.
A levels
Most applicants applying to Cambridge are studying three or four A level subjects. For advice about suitable subject choices see our course requirements section.
Cambridge welcomes the introduction of the new A* grade at A level. The A* grade will be awarded to students who achieve an A grade overall at A level and also achieve an average of 90% or more on the uniform mark scale (UMS) across their A2 units. Analysis of our current students' achievement suggests that the vast majority would have been awarded at least one A* had the grade been available when they took A levels. In light of this the standard A level conditional offer made by the Cambridge Colleges for 2010 entry will be A*AA. The subject in which the A* is to be achieved is unlikely to be specified in most cases.
All Colleges modify offers to take account of individual circumstances. For example, lower offers may be made to students applying through the Cambridge Special Access Scheme whose true potential has not been realised at school because of significant educational or personal disadvantage. On the other hand, more challenging offers may be set to ensure that an applicant can cope with the demands of exams in cases where some doubt exists.
We hope that the introduction of the A* grade will enable us to return to a situation in which we make more conditional offers than we have places available and therefore more students are given the chance to win a place at Cambridge through their performance in public exams.
Critical Thinking
Please note that A level Critical Thinking is not considered an acceptable third A level subject for any courses at Cambridge. However, as a fourth AS or A level subject it is regarded as a worthwhile addition to your portfolio of qualifications.
Key Skills and General Studies
We expect you to be proficient in essential key skills, but will not require you to have completed the Key Skills qualification. Please also note, while there can be wider educational benefits in taking General Studies, it is disregarded in the academic assessment of applicants for admission to Cambridge.
Extended Project
We welcome the introduction of the Extended Project and would encourage you to undertake one as it will help you develop independent study and research skills and ease the transition from school/college to higher education. Completion of an Extended Project will not, however, be a requirement of any offer made.
AQA Baccalaureate
Applicants taking the AQA Baccalaureate should note that this is an acceptable qualification for entry to Cambridge. However, offers will be conditional on achievement in the A levels within the qualification rather than the overall Baccalaureate award.
Cambridge Pre-U
We welcome applications from students who are either studying towards the full Cambridge Pre-U Diploma or certain Principal Subjects within the qualification alongside A levels. Conditional offers will be set on an individual basis but are likely to include achieving grade D2 or D3 in Principal Subjects..
Diplomas
We will be considering the acceptability of the new Diplomas for our courses on a case-by-case basis. Of the Phase 1 Diplomas, the Advanced Engineering Diploma is the only one which provides appropriate preparation for a Cambridge course, and will be accepted for Engineering as long as you have taken specified options within the Specialist Learning component.
VCE and Applied A levels, GNVQs and BTECs
VCE and Applied A levels have been developed as a vocational qualification equivalent to A level. VCE A levels, Applied A levels, GNVQs and/or BTECs are not an ideal preparation for most Cambridge courses, where the emphasis is more academic than vocational. For courses that require a large amount of background technical knowledge, VCE or Applied A levels, GNVQs or BTECs cannot, unless otherwise stated, be used to replace the 'essential' and 'highly desirable' A levels listed for each course. However, if the 'essential' and 'highly desirable' subjects are covered, a six-unit VCE or Applied A level could be taken instead of a third A level or as an additional fourth broadening subject. This combination of A levels and VCE or other qualifications may be acceptable for some courses. Potential applicants taking these qualifications are advised to seek further advice from an Admissions Tutor.
Other examination systems
Although this Prospectus mainly talks in terms of GCSEs and A levels, other school and national examinations at an equivalent level are equally acceptable.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offers are regularly made on the International Baccalaureate, at a level of between 7,6,6 and 7,7,7 in the Higher Level subjects, with overall scores between 38 and 42 points out of 45. For advice about suitable subject choices see course requirements.
Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
We welcome applicants with Scottish qualifications. We do not normally make offers on the basis of Highers alone. We would normally expect applicants to have achieved a minimum of four A grades at Higher Grade, plus Advanced Highers. Offers will usually be AAB or AAA in three Advanced Highers. In some cases two Advanced Highers and an additional Higher may be acceptable. For advice about suitable subject choices see course requirements.
Welsh Baccalaureate
We welcome applications from students taking the Advanced Diploma in the Welsh Baccalaureate. Applicants will be expected to have studied three subjects at A level as part of their qualification. Offers will be conditional on achievement in the A levels within the qualification rather than the overall Baccalaureate award (see AS/A levels guidance above).
Irish Leaving Certificate
Applicants from the Republic of Ireland who are studying towards the Irish Leaving Certificate are also welcome to apply. Typical offers for the Irish Leaving Certificate vary from AAAAA to AAABB at Higher Level. For advice about suitable subject choices see course requirements.
Access to HE Diploma
If you are considering applying to Cambridge as a mature student and are studying an Access to HE Diploma please note that we require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Cambridge. Details of these additional requirements are listed below:
- Architecture: a good portfolio is required, and an ability to draw. An interest in the history of art is helpful. Mathematics is needed at least to good GCSE standard.
- Computer Science: A level Mathematics is required.
- Economics: A level Mathematics is required.
- Engineering: A level Mathematics is required.
- Law: applicants should ensure they have studied a logic-based subject (eg Mathematics, a science, a modern or classical language) as well as a discursive subject (such as History). An Access to HE Diploma is not acceptable for admission to Law at Wolfson College.
- Mathematics: an Access to HE Diploma is not sufficient preparation.
- Music: at least grade 5 piano is required.
- Natural Sciences: A level Mathematics is required for the Physical Sciences and recommended for the Biological Sciences. (Although there are courses designed for those without A level Mathematics, the better applicants’ mathematical ability is before they come to Cambridge, the better they will get on.)
- PPS: there is no requirement for GCSE Mathematics over and above an Access to HE Diploma.
- Applicants for the following subjects will need to demonstrate an aptitude for languages: Classics, History of Art, and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Applicants for History should note that an aptitude for languages opens up greater choices within the History course at Cambridge. Applicants for Theology & Religious Studies should be aware of the compulsory first-year scriptural language element.
Those applicants intending to go on to the PGCE at Cambridge should note that GCSE Mathematics and Science are required before they apply, and that A levels are not considered acceptable substitutes.
For further information please contact the FE Access Officer in the Cambridge Admissions Office (Telephone: 01223 765728; email: feaccess@cao.cam.ac.uk) or the admissions staff in one of the Cambridge Colleges.
European Baccalaureate
If you are studying towards the European Baccalaureate, please note that successful applicants are typically asked for 85 per cent overall with 90 per cent in those subjects that relate most closely to the course they wish to study.
French Baccalaureate
Typical offers for applicants taking the French Baccalaureate are 16 or 17 (‘mention très bien’) out of 20. Applicants are also usually asked to achieve 16 or 17 in specific subjects.
German Abitur
If you are studying towards the German Abitur, please note that applicants are typically asked for an overall score of between 1.0 and 1.3, with 13 or 14 in those subjects that relate most closely to the course they wish to study.
SATs and Advanced Placement Tests
Prospective applicants from the USA studying SATs and Advanced Placement Tests should note that offers are usually made on an individual basis. In addition to a high pass in the High School Diploma and the SAT, successful applicants are normally asked to obtain three Advanced Placement Tests, in specific subjects where appropriate, at grades 5,5,5 or 5,5,4.
Other qualifications
If you are taking any other examination system (including the Advanced International Certificate of Education offered by Cambridge Assessment), it is a good idea to make early contact with the Cambridge Admissions Office to check that it will provide an appropriate preparation for the subject you are planning to study.
Whatever school or college system you are being educated in, entry standards at Cambridge require you to have studied to the highest level available for school students, and to have achieved top grades.
Course requirements
When assessing applicants for all courses we consider not only the individual A level (or equivalent) subjects being offered but also the combination of these. We generally prefer applicants to have taken certain subjects because we believe that they are more likely to provide an effective preparation for study at the University of Cambridge.
For many courses, prior knowledge of certain subjects is required, and Colleges will expect such subjects to be passed, normally with an A grade at A level or equivalent. Apart from these specific subjects, we try to allow as much flexibility as possible in your choice of subjects. Some courses (eg Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, Law, Philosophy) do not require you to have studied the subject before, although you will be expected to have read enough about the subject so that you know what it will entail.
If you have not yet decided on a course, advice about A level combinations that will maximise your potential choice at Cambridge is available in Subject Matters.
Follow the links below for specific requirements and subject preferences for each course:
English language requirement
If your first language is not English, it is essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to undertake an intensive and challenging academic course that is taught and examined in English. As a result you may also be asked to meet a specific English language requirement. Further details are given in the international students section.
Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics (STEP)
STEP Mathematics is a series of three papers used to supplement A levels in assessing applicants' aptitude for university study in Mathematics. The STEP specifications are based on material that is common to the core of A level Mathematics (and therefore requires no further knowledge). The questions are of a searching kind designed to test qualities like insight, originality, grasp of broader issues and the ability to use standard techniques in unusual ways and situations.
One big advantage of STEP papers for Colleges is that they can read your examination script and so assess particular strengths or weaknesses which may not be conveyed in the overall mark. The grade range is S (Outstanding), 1, 2 and 3 (Satisfactory) and Colleges decide individually what grades to ask for when making a conditional offer.
Colleges use STEP as part of almost all conditional offers that they make in Mathematics (including Mathematics with Physics) and Computer Science with Mathematics. Some Colleges may use STEP as part of a conditional offer for other courses – details are given below:
- Churchill may ask for STEP or an AEA in Mathematics as part of conditional offers in Engineering if the applicant is not taking A level Further Mathematics.
- Magdalene may ask for STEP as part of conditional offers in Computer Science.
- Peterhouse may ask for STEP as part of conditional offers in Engineering, and occasionally Natural Sciences, depending upon mathematical background.
Applicants taking a single Mathematics A level are normally asked to take STEP papers 1 and 2. Those taking Mathematics and Further Mathematics A levels are normally asked to take papers 2 and 3. You are not permitted to sit more than two papers in a given year.
If you are made an offer including STEP, your application to take it should go through your school or college. You are encouraged to speak to your examinations officer about registering for STEP. The papers must be taken at a recognised centre. The dates of STEP papers are immediately after those for A level examinations. Please contact Cambridge Assessment for further information about registering for STEP.
The University runs an intensive study course offering support for the STEP Mathematics examination. Offer-holders from non-selective state schools that are unable to provide support/preparation for STEP Mathematics may be invited to attend.
More about STEP:
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