Using the IB Diploma and A-Levels to Apply to Gulf Universities: Subject Requirements and Score Mapping

IB and A-Levels are widely recognised in the Gulf

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and British A-Levels are common among students applying to universities across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. Both are well understood by admissions offices and by national education authorities.

What varies is the mapping: how IB total points or A-Level grades translate to a programme's entry standard, which subjects are required, and whether either qualification can stand in for a national entrance test. Those decisions are made by each university (and, where equivalency applies, the national authority), so confirm them on the official source.

How IB Diploma points are read

Universities typically look at your IB Diploma total points and at the subjects you took at higher level (HL). For STEM and health programmes, the HL subjects usually matter most — a strong HL mathematics and a relevant HL science for engineering or computing, and HL biology and chemistry for medicine and health sciences.

There is no single Gulf-wide IB points minimum; each university sets its own, and competitive programmes set higher bars. Read the programme's official page for both the overall points expectation and the required HL subjects, and remember that meeting the points alone may not be enough without the right subjects.

• Total points clear the general bar
• HL subjects often carry the most weight
• Engineering/computing — HL maths + a relevant HL science
• Medicine/health — HL biology and chemistry typically expected

How A-Level grades are read

For A-Levels, universities focus on your final grades in the relevant subjects, usually expecting strong results in the subjects the degree builds on. Engineering and computing programmes commonly expect mathematics and often physics; medicine and health programmes commonly expect chemistry and biology.

As with the IB, there is no uniform A-Level grade minimum across the region — it is set per university and programme, and competitive majors expect higher grades. Confirm both the required subjects and the grade level on the official admissions page rather than relying on a general figure.

Can IB or A-Levels waive a national entrance test?

In some cases, holding the IB Diploma or A-Levels may reduce or replace certain national-test requirements at a given university — but this is not automatic and differs by institution and country. A university might, for example, accept strong A-Level or IB results in lieu of a particular standardized test, while still requiring proof of English proficiency for an English-taught programme.

Because waiver rules are set individually and change over time, never assume one applies. Check the specific university's official admissions page, and confirm any English-proficiency requirement separately.

• A waiver is never automatic — it is set per university and country
• A national test or English test may still be required
• Confirm waivers and English requirements officially

Planning your application

Begin by shortlisting programmes and reading each one's official entry requirements for IB or A-Level applicants. Record the overall points or grades expected, the required subjects, and whether a national or English-proficiency test is also needed.

Gather your predicted and final results, transcripts, and any equivalency or attestation paperwork your destination requires for a foreign qualification. Build the whole plan from official sources, and do not rely on quoted numbers that may be out of date.

• Read official entry requirements for IB/A-Level applicants
• Note required subjects and overall points/grades
• Check for any national or English-proficiency test
• Prepare transcripts and any equivalency/attestation documents