Entry Routes & Qualifications
UK Entry Routes & Qualifications
How A-Levels, BTEC and T-Levels, the IB, Scottish Highers, Access to HE and foundation routes enter UK and Irish universities — and how entry requirements map across them.
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Tests this hub covers
A-Levels
UK exam boards such as AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel, WJEC/Eduqas and CCEA; International A levels from Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA · UK exam boards: once a year, in the May–June exam series. Cambridge International AS & A Levels: June and November series.
IB
International Baccalaureate (IB) · Two exam sessions a year, May and November (your school’s session applies)
What this hub covers
- A-Levels and UK University Entry Requirements ExplainedWhat A-Levels are and why they matter for entry · Subjects and 'facilitating' subjects · How conditional and unconditional offers work
- BTEC and T-Levels for UK University EntryWhat BTECs and T-Levels are · How they are graded · Acceptance and combining with A-Levels
- Using the International Baccalaureate to Apply to UK and Irish UniversitiesHow the IB Diploma is structured · How UK universities make IB offers · How the IB works for Irish universities (CAO)
- Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers for University EntryThe Scottish qualifications ladder · How Scottish degrees and entry differ · Using Scottish qualifications across the rest of the UK
- Access to HE Diplomas and Mature Student Entry RoutesRoutes for applicants without standard qualifications · The Access to HE Diploma · Foundation years and other pathways
Guides for United Kingdom & Ireland
5 of 5 guides in this hub are for the UK & Ireland.
BTEC and T-Levels for UK University Entry
How BTEC Nationals and T-Levels are graded, accepted and combined with A-Levels for entry to UK degree courses — verify acceptance per course.
Read guideUsing the International Baccalaureate to Apply to UK and Irish Universities
How IB Diploma points, Higher Level subjects and core requirements convert into UK and Irish university offers — verify each course's exact requirement.
Read guideScottish Highers and Advanced Highers for University Entry
How National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers feed into Scottish four-year degrees and rest-of-UK admissions — verify each course requirement.
Read guideAccess to HE Diplomas and Mature Student Entry Routes
How Access to HE Diplomas, foundation pathways and mature-student routes let applicants without standard school qualifications enter UK and Irish universities.
Read guideStudying in the UK & Ireland
Continue exploring the UK & Ireland
Universities, entrance tests, costs and visa facts for the UK & Ireland — all in one place, each linked to its official source.
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