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.
Although this website mainly talks in terms of GCSEs and A Levels, other school and national examinations at an equivalent level are equally acceptable. Whatever system you're being educated in, Cambridge requires top grades in the highest level qualifications available for school students.
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 provides an appropriate preparation for the course you hope to study. See below for advice on studying for a mixture of qualifications.
AS Levels
Cambridge applicants are encouraged to study either four or five AS Levels in Year 12 and we normally expect good A grades in relevant subjects at AS Level. Applicants taking five subjects won't be at an advantage compared with those taking four. Separate certification at AS Level in the case of subjects being studied at A Level isn't required and applicants not cashing in AS Levels won't be disadvantaged. All applicants are asked to report (in the Supplementary Application Questionnaire) the results of all AS and A Level modules taken to date, whether certificated or not. Colleges won't make unconditional offers on the basis of AS Level grades alone.
A Levels
Most applicants to Cambridge are studying three or four A Level subjects. For advice about suitable subject choices see our course requirements section.
As has been the case for the last two years, the standard conditional A Level offer for 2012 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 potential hasn't been realised at school because of significant educational or personal disadvantage. On the other hand, more challenging offers may be set where some doubt exists and the alternative is no offer.
- Critical Thinking: Please note that A Level Critical Thinking isn't considered an acceptable third A Level subject for any courses at Cambridge. While it is regarded as a worthwhile addition to your portfolio of qualifications as a fourth AS or A Level subject, it's unlikely to be part of a conditional offer.
- Key Skills and General Studies: We expect you to be proficient in essential key skills, but don’t require you to have completed the Key Skills qualification. Please also note that, while there can be wider educational benefits in taking General Studies, it’s not included in the academic assessment of Cambridge applicants.
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, which will ease the transition from school/college to higher education. However, completion of an Extended Project won't 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
Students who are either studying towards the full Cambridge Pre-U Diploma or certain Principal Subjects within the qualification alongside A Levels are eligible to apply. Conditional offers are set on an individual basis but are likely to include achieving Distinction level grades (D2 or D3) in Principal Subjects.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offers are regularly made on the International Baccalaureate, requiring scores between 40 and 42 points out of 45, with 776 or 777 in the Higher Level subjects. For advice about suitable subject choices see course requirements. Please note that for these purposes, Standard Level subjects are broadly comparable to AS Levels, and Higher Level subjects to A Levels.
Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
We normally expect applicants with Scottish qualifications to have achieved a minimum of four A grades at Higher Grade, plus Advanced Highers. Offers will usually require 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. Please note that for these purposes, Highers are broadly comparable to AS Level subjects, and Advanced Highers to A Levels.
If you’re studying towards a Scottish Baccalaureate qualification you’re expected to offer three Advanced Highers as part of it.
Applicants who are prevented from studying more than two Advanced Highers due to reasons outside their control are considered on a case-by-case basis and are advised to contact the College to which they intend to apply as early as possible.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Applicants taking the Advanced Diploma in the Welsh Baccalaureate are expected to have studied three subjects at A Level as part of their qualification. Offers are 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 eligible to apply. A typical offer for the Irish Leaving Certificate is AAAAA at Higher Level.
Applicants for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine may be asked to take an IGCSE (or equivalent) in the science subject not taken within the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Access to HE Diploma
Applicants to Cambridge studying the Access to HE Diploma are generally expected to achieve to a standard equivalent to conditional A Level offers. Therefore, a typical offer would require attainment of the Access to HE Diploma with Distinctions in all relevant subject units. 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.
For further information contact the Access Officer at the Cambridge Admissions Office (telephone: 01223 765728; email: mature@cao.cam.ac.uk).
European Baccalaureate
If you are studying towards the European Baccalaureate, please note that successful applicants are typically asked for 85-90 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 (including the International Option) 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 14 or 15 in those subjects that relate most closely to the course they wish to study.
SATs and Advanced Placement Tests
Prospective applicants from Canada and the USA taking SATs and Advanced Placement Tests should note that offers are usually made on an individual basis. In addition to high passes in the High School Diploma and the SAT, successful applicants have normally achieved 5s in at least five Advanced Placement Tests in appropriate subjects.
Advanced Diplomas
Only the Advanced Diplomas in Engineering, Manufacturing and Product Design, and Environmental and Land-based Studies provide appropriate preparation for certain Cambridge courses, and are acceptable for entry as detailed below:
- the Advanced Diplomas in Engineering and in Manufacturing and Product Design are acceptable for Engineering as long as you have taken specified options within the Additional Specialist Learning component
- the Advanced Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies is acceptable for Geography, Land Economy and Natural Sciences (Biological) as long as you have taken two appropriate A Levels within the Additional Specialist Learning component. In the case of Natural Sciences (Biological), these should be A Level Chemistry and either Biology, Mathematics or Physics A Level. The requirements for Geography and Land Economy are more flexible
VCE and Applied A Levels, GNVQs and BTECs
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. As such, these qualifications cannot, unless otherwise stated, be used to replace the ‘essential’ and ‘highly desirable’ A Level subjects 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 a College Admissions Tutor.
Applicants studying for a mixture of qualifications
We’re happy to consider applicants taking a combination of qualifications drawn from different examination systems, such as Scottish Advanced Highers and A Levels or A Levels and IB Higher Level subjects, providing that the individual qualifications are acceptable and any subject requirements are met. Conditional offers will normally be in line with the typical offers made when the qualifications are taken on their own. However, the exact details depend on the applicant’s individual circumstances.
In cases where an applicant is taking the same (or very similar) subjects in different examination systems, for instance taking both A Level Physics and Pre-U Physics, it’s not possible to give general guidance about the likely offer level, as any offer is tailored to the applicant’s individual circumstances.