Entrance Requirements

At King's, our applicants come from countries and examination systems all around the world, and we have considerable expertise in assessing non-A level applications. The following are just some of our most common typical offers. We're also happy to consider applicants taking a combination of qualifications from different examination systems providing the individual qualifications are acceptable and any subject requirements are met. For details of specific offers for other qualification systems, please do not hesitate to contact the King’s Admissions Office (undergraduate.admissions@kings.cam.ac.uk).

The minimum offer level and subject requirements outline the minimum you’ll usually need to achieve in your qualifications to receive an offer from Cambridge. In some cases you’ll receive a higher or more challenging offer. Colleges set higher offer requirements for a number of reasons.

This could be because:

  • there is strong competition for places on the course. In this case, we may make more offers and make them more challenging. This gives more applicants a chance to prove themselves through their exam performance, rather than not being made an offer. 
  • you have taken some exams early. We need to ensure you will achieve the highest grades in your remaining exams. This helps us to assess whether you will be able to manage the academic challenge of sitting exams in a single exam period, which is how we assess students at Cambridge. 
  • you have a less common combination of subjects or we want to encourage you to continue with the best combination of subjects. 
  • you performed less well in some parts of the application process. Where we set more challenging offers this is to better ensure that you will be able to cope with the academic level of the course and thrive at Cambridge.

You can also find more information about typical offer levels at Cambridge University and qualifications not mentioned below on the central University website, please see the link at the bottom of the page. 

Tip: Once you have looked at the entrance requirements listed on this page, don't forget to read the subject requirements and further advice for specific courses on the subject pages (normally in the section about applying for each subject). More general advice is available on the choosing school subjects page.

UK Entrance Requirements

 

A-Levels

The typical A level offer is A*, A, and A for most essay-based courses, or A* A* and A for most maths and sciences courses, Psychological and Behaviour Sciences, and Economics. Please see the information for A level candidates for full detail.

Pre-U

Our typical Pre-U offer is based on your Principal Subjects. We require D3, D3, and D2 for most essay-based courses , or D2, D2, and D3 for most maths and sciences courses, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and Economics.

We are also happy to make offers to students studying for a mixture of Pre-U and A level qualifications. For most essay-based courses , we would ask students to achieve a combination such as: A*, A and D3, or A, A and D2. For most maths and sciences courses, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences and Economics, we would ask students taking a mixture of A level and Pre-U qualifications to achieve a combination such as A*, A* and D3, or A*, A and D2..

International Baccalaureate

Our typical IB offer  requires an overall score of 42 - 43 (including the Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay components) and 7, 7, 6 for most essay based courses and , or 7, 7, 7 for most maths and science courses, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences and Economics in the relevant Higher Level subjects. Please also read the Information for IB students.

Scottish Advanced Highers

We typically make offers on three Advanced Higher qualifications. Courses with a typical offer of A*AA generally require A1, A2, A2; and for courses with a typical A Level offer of A*A*A, offers are usually A1, A1, A2. If you are not able to take three Advanced Higher qualifications at your school, we advise you to email us for further information.

 

Welsh Baccalaureate

We typically make offers on three A levels within the Advanced Diploma. The standard A level offer is A*, A, and A for most essay-based courses , or A* A* and A for most maths and sciences courses, Psychological and Behavioual Sciences and Economics.

International Entrance Requirements

English Language Requirements

We usually require applicants whose first language is something other than English to sit the IELTS examination, and to offer an overall score of at least 7.5, with no individual element below 7.0. Since we interview most candidates, we also use the interview to establish your communication skills in English. Please see full details on the International students' page.

Australian Certificates

We usually require an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 98.5% - 99.5% overall as well as similar performance in relevant individual subjects. 

Austrian Matura

Our typical offer for those taking the Austrian Matura is an overall score of at least 1.3. Applicants are also normally asked to achieve scores of 1 (sehr gut) out of 5 in written exams in up to two subjects.

Belgian Diploma

Our typical offer for the Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs / Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur / Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts is an overall average score of at least 80%. Scores of 90% may also be required in three individual subjects.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

For applicants taking the Matura/Svjedodžba o Zavrženoj Srednjoj Skoli, we usually require an overall score of 5.0, and 5.0 in individual subjects.

Bulgarian Diploma Za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie (DZSO)

We usually require an overall score of 5.8, and grade 6.0 in two relevant subjects. We recommend that you take a third relevant subject to the highest level possible in your school curriculum.

Canada

Applications from students taking Canadian High School Diplomas will only be considered as competitive for applying to the University of Cambridge if additional qualifications are also being taken. Applicants studying towards Canadian High School Diplomas will be expected to be on course to attain at a very high level in relevant subjects.

Applicants will usually be expected to be on course to attain an overall average of 90% in six or more Grade 12 courses

Applicants studying towards the Diplome D’Etudes Collegiales (DEC) in Québec will be expected to achieve an overall average of 90%

Offers for High School Diploma applicants will be made conditional on achievement in their Diploma and an additional qualification. Details are given below for the levels to be achieved in addition to the above performance in your High School Diploma.

Most successful Canadian applicants offer either the International Baccalaureate (IB) or at least five Advanced Placement courses.

For students taking the International Baccalaureate, please read the Information for IB students.

For students taking Advanced Placement courses, and we would expect candidates to achieve 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 in the most relevant subjects.

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)

We usually require a grade of 1 in three double unit subjects.

Croatia

For students taking the Svjedodžba o Maturi (Matura Certificate), we usually require an overall score of 5.0 with a score of 5.0 in relevant subjects. You would be expected to take Svjedodžba o Maturi (Matura Certificate) subjects at advanced level.

Cypriot Apolytirion

Typical offers for applicants taking the Apolytirion would be based on an average of 19 points and at least 2 GCE A Levels at grade A* or A.

Czech Maturitni Zkouška (Maturita)

Typical offers for applicants taking the Maturitni Zkouška would be to pass the Maturitni with a score of 1 (vyborny) in at least 3 relevant subjects.

Danish Studentereksamen

Our typical offer for the Højere Forberedelseseksamen / Danish Studentereksamen is a certified pass with at least 11 overall, potentially with 12 in the most relevant subjects.

Dutch VWO

Our typical offer for the Dutch VWO (Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs) requires an overall score of 8.0 - 8.5 (goed), and 9.0 (zeer goed) in up to three subjects.

Estonian Gümnaasiumi Lõputunnistus and Riigieksamid

We usually require the Estonian Gümnaasiumi Lõputunnistus, including Riigieksamid with an overall average score of 5 from five subjects. Applicants are also usually asked to achieve scores of 90% in three state exams (Riigeksam) in individual subjects.

European Baccalaureate

We usually require an overall score of at least 85%, potentially with higher scores in the most relevant subjects.

Finnish Ylioppilastutkintotodistus

Typical offers for applicants taking the Ylioppilastutkintodistus would be based on a minimum of three subjects at grade 7 or laudatur and two subjects at grade 6 or exima cum laude approbaturnone.

French Baccalauréat

We usually require an overall score of 16 or 17 out of 20 (mention 'très bien'), with grade 16 or 17 in relevant individual subjects. Students taking the OIB should see the separate entry below.

German Abitur

Typical offers for applicants taking the German Abitur would be based on an overall score of between 1.0 and 1.2, with 14 or 15 in individual subjects. This would include high scores in individual LK (Leistungskurse) subjects where the subjects are required at A Level (see the relevant course page for details).

Greek Apolytirion

For students taking the Apolytirion of Lykeio, we require an overall score of 19, and at least two A Levels at grade A* or A. Please see the information for A level candidates, which includes information about taking A levels outside the UK. If A levels are not available, we would require an overall score of 19 in the Pan Hellenic examinations.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

Grades of 5 in all core subjects, and grades of 5* in one or two relevant core subjects.

Please note that for Cambridge courses that require Mathematics and Further Mathematics A Levels, applicants are required to take Extended Module 2 (Algebra and Calculus) Mathematics as part of their core.

For Cambridge courses that require Mathematics A Level, applicants are advised to take either Extended Module 1 (Calculus and Statistics) or Extended Module 2 (Algebra and Calculus) Mathematics as part of their core.

A Level Further Mathematics and/or Mathematics is desirable but not a requirement for some courses. Prospective applicants for these courses might want to consider taking the appropriate Mathematics Extended Module.

Elective Subjects

Applicants for arts courses (except Economics), Psychological and Behavioural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine will be expected to achieve 5*55 in their electives

Applicants for science courses (excluding Psychological and Behavioural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine) and Economics will be expected to achieve 5*5*5 in their electives

Hungarian Erettsegi/Matura

Our typical offer for candidates offering the Hungarian Erettsegi/Matura requires grade 5 (jeles) in at least four subjects and one at grade 4. We would normally expect students to be taking at least two of the five Matura subjects at the Higher Level (emelt szintu). Where there is a required subject for the Cambridge course, students would be expected to take the Higher (emelt szintu) examination in this subject.

Indian CBSE or ISC Class XII examinations and the IIT-JEE

Class XII school leaving qualifications are not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge.

Applications from students taking Class XII school leaving qualifications from any exam board will only be considered competitive if they are accompanied by additional qualifications. Details are given below about the typical qualifications and levels expected to be achieved in addition to a very high level of performance in Class XII:

College Board Advanced Placement Tests - offers for all Cambridge courses (though please see the note on Mathematics under STEP below) may be made conditional on achieving grades of 5 in five or more AP Tests

IIT-JEE (Advanced) - offers for Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Natural Sciences (Physical) may be made conditional on a rank of <2000 in the IIT JEE (Advanced)

STEP - offers for Mathematics will be conditional on achievement in the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP). STEP may also be required for offers for other subjects, such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics, where attainment equivalent to A-Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics cannot be demonstrated by any other means. Please note that all Mathematics offers will have a STEP condition attached (including for applicants taking AP Tests or the IIT JEE)

Applicants studying towards Class XII will be expected to be on course to attain grades at a very high level in relevant subjects to the course being applied to. Grades expected depend on the Board with which you are studying, examples of typical requirement from some example boards are detailed below:

CISCE and NIOS - applicants will require scores of 90% or higher in five or more relevant subjects

CBSE - applicants will require five or more A1 grades in relevant subjects

State Boards - applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis, however applicants will typically require scores of 95% or equivalent in five or more relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Our offer for IB students from outside the UK is the same as for students at schools in the UK. Please read the Information for IB students.

Iran

Typical offers for applicants taking the Konkur (National Entrance Examination) and Peeshdaneshgahe (Pre-University Certificate) would be based on achieving 80% in the Konkur and grade 18 in the Peeshdaneshgahe. Typical offers for applicants taking the theoretical stream (Nazari) in 4 years of upper-secondary school would be based on achieving a mark of 19 overall.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Our standard offer for the Irish Leaving Certificate is A1 or H1 in three relevant subjects at Higher Level.

Israeli Bagrut

We would require an overall score of 90% in the Israeli Bagrut, as well as 90% in at least three Level 5 subjects. 

Italian Esame di Stato

Our typical offer for candidates sitting the Italian Esame di Stato specifies an overall score of 100%.

Liechtenstein Matura

We usually require scores of 6.0 in individual subjects.

Lithuanian Brandos Atestatas

Typical offers for applicants taking the Brandos Atestatas would be based on an overall average of 90 in the state examinations (valstybinis), including 95 in three specified subjects.

Luxembourg

We usually require an overall score of at least 50 in the Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires.

Malaysian STPM

Our typical offer for candidates offering the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (Malaysian Higher School Certificate) is A,A,A.

Maltese Advanced Matriculation Certificate

We usually require the Advanced Matriculation with A grades in A level subjects.

New Zealand

We usually require the University Entrance Certificate with National Certificates in Educational Achievement (NCEA) at Level 3 endorsed with Excellence, and with a grade of Excellent in the majority of subjects taken.

Norwegian Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Our typical offer for candidates taking the offering the Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole require at least 5.0 overall with 6.0 in the most relevant subjects.

OIB (the International Option of the French Baccalaureate)

We usually require 16 or 17 out of 20, Applicants may also be asked to achieve 16 or 17 in individual subjects.

Polish New Matura

Our typical offer for applicants taking the Nova Matura requires applicants to achieve 95th percentile scores in up to two extended level subjects and an average of 90th percentile across all subjects taken. We advise you to contact us with information about your school curriculum and which state exams you are able to access.

Portuguese DES

Our typical offer for candidates with the Diploma Nível Secundário de Educação / Certificado Nível Secundário de Educação requires at least an 18.0 overall, with 19.0 in some specific subjects.

Romanian Baccalaureate

Our typical offer for the Romanian Baccalaureate requires a score of 9.5 overall, and 9.8 in specific subjects.

Serbia Secondary School Leaving Diploma

Our typical offer for the Serbia Diploma o završenoj srednjoj školi requires an overall score of 5.0, with scores of 5.0 in the most relevant subjects.

Singapore-Cambridge Advanced Levels

Our typical offer for Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Levels is AAAA at H2 level. For any subject taken at H3 level, we would require a merit.

Slovakian Matura

We usually require grade 1.0 (vyborny) in the majority of subjects in the Vysvedceneo Maturitnej Skúška, and at least grade 2.0 (chvalitebny) in all subjects. We require 1.0 in a minimum of two subjects.

Slovenian Matura

We usually require grade 5.0 in the majority of subjects in the Maturitetno Spricevalo and at least 4.0 in all subjects. We may ask for scores of 5.0 in specified individual subjects relevant to your course at Cambridge.

Spanish Título de Bachiller

Typical offers for applicants taking the Título de Bachillerato with the reválida would be based on an overall average of 9.0 across the Bachillerato and the core elements of the reválida, with scores of 9.0 in specified subjects, together with 9.0 in specified elective subjects. Applicants with access to the Título de Bachillerato with the Prueba de Accesso a la Universidad (PAU) would be expected to achieve an overall average of 9.0 across the Fase General and the Bachillerato, with 9.0 in specified subjects, together with 9.0 in the Fase específica.

Sri Lankan GCE Advanced Levels

Our typical offer for Sri Lankan Advanced Levels is A, A, A.

Swedish Qualifications

Typical offers for applicants taking the Avgångsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola (FSFG) would be based on a total of at least 2500 points, with scores of MVG (excellent) or A grades in the majority of relevant subjects. Under the new grading system, we require an overall grade A and a grade A in three or more relevant subjects.

Swiss Matura

Our typical offer for the following qualifications requires an overall grade of 5.1, and scores of 5.5 in three subjects:

Swiss Federal Maturity Certificate (Maturitätszeugnis)
Certificat De Maturité
Attestato Di Maturitá
Eidgenössisch Anerkanntes Kantonales Maturitätszeugnis
Certificat De Maturité Cantonal Reconnu Par La Confédération
Attestato Di Maturitä Cantonale Riconosciuto Dalla Confederazione.

Tanzania

We usually require AAA at Principal level in relevant subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSE). 

Tunisian Baccalauréat

The Tunisian Baccalauréat alone would not be sufficient to make a competitive application to King's. Candidates who are taking the Tunisian Baccalauréat should also consider taking additional qualifications. Please contact a college admissions office for further advice. 

Turkey

Please note that the Anadolu Lisei, Devlet Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitime Diplomasi alone are not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge and you would need to take additional qualifications to make a competitive application. Please contact a college admissions office for further advice. 

Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE)

Typical offers for the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) would be based on grades AAA at principal level in relevant subjects.

US Advanced Placements

Most successful US applicants offer at least five Advanced Placement courses, and we would expect candidates to achieve 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, normally taken within two years of matriculation and with particular focus on APs that are taken in subjects related to the course applied for. Students at US schools which do not offer AP courses are encouraged to email us for further information.

SAT (I) Reasoning Tests: A high pass in SAT (I) Reasoning tests will help support a competitive application. A high pass equates scores of 750 in each component to give a combined score of 1,500 for most Science courses and Economics (Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine); and 730 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 730 in Mathematics, to give a combined score of at least 1,460 for all other courses.

Applicants are asked to send in results from full sittings of the SAT rather than individual section scores from separate sittings.

Applicants taking College Board SATs and/or Advanced Placement (AP) Tests are required to disclose all qualifications taken and scores achieved. Failure to disclose any scores may disadvantage your application and the Cambridge Colleges reserve the right to contact your school to confirm your results.

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