Entry requirements

To do a degree at Leeds you will need to meet our minimum entry requirements and specific requirements for your chosen course, which you can find through Course Search.

This information is for applicants from the UK and the Republic of Ireland. If you are applying from another country/region/area please read our information on accepted international qualifications.

Minimum entry requirements

The typical minimum entry requirement for all our undergraduate degree programmes is a pass in a combination of five subjects in GCSE (or IGCSE) and GCE A-level (or International A-level) examinations, or equivalent qualifications. They should include:

  • at least grade A* to C/ 9-4 in English at GCSE or equivalent
  • numeracy (the requirement depends on the course)
  • grade A*-E in three A-levels. 

We use the following grading scale for GCSE: 

  • A* = 8 or 9
  • A = 7
  • B = 5 or 6
  • C = 4

You can find out which equivalent qualifications we accept in the following sections.

Entry requirements for your chosen course

The exact entry requirements for your chosen course will generally be more specific than the University minimum requirements and will tell you which grades you need. You can find course entry requirements on Course Search.

AS-levels

If you have AS-level results, we will consider them when making a decision. However, if you have not done AS-levels then this will not be a disadvantage. 

Age and stage policy

We normally expect applicants to have completed three A-levels (or equivalent) in one sitting. If you have not, then we will need your school or college to tell us why in the academic reference section of your UCAS form.

Our School of Law requires all applicants to have taken three A-levels in one sitting.

Science practicals

If you are taking science A-levels in England, you will usually need a pass in the practical assessment part of your exams. 

If you are unable to take the science practical due to exceptional circumstances, please contact the relevant school’s admissions team for further advice before you apply. Contact details are available on each course page. 

Critical Thinking and General Studies

Many of our courses do not include General Studies and Critical Thinking in their entry requirements. However, if you narrowly miss your offer, General Studies and Critical Thinking may be considered if you achieve good grades in either of these subjects. Please contact the relevant admissions team for further information about the specific entry requirements for your course.

Equivalent qualifications

The following list tells you more about our policies on accepting qualifications equivalent to GCSE and A-levels. If your qualification is not listed here, you should contact the admissions team, whose details you can find on your course page

International applicants should check our information on accepted international qualifications

Access to Higher Education Diploma

You must have a Diploma in a relevant subject and hold 60 credits overall, with at least 45 credits at level 3 including 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit - this is a minimum; some courses will have higher requirements. You may need specific units and grades for some courses. Please contact the relevant admissions team to find out more. You can find their contact details on Course Search.

Advanced Extension Awards

We recognise that this qualification provides evidence of in-depth knowledge of the subject area. However, we do not accept it as a qualification for entry.

AQA Baccalaureate

We base our offer on the three A-levels taken with the AQA Baccalaureate. We also encourage you to discuss your work experience and other elements of your Baccalaureate in your personal statement.

BTEC Nationals

We accept BTEC Extended Diplomas, BTEC Extended Certificates, Foundation Diplomas and Diplomas.

Some courses may also ask you for specific levels of achievement in a particular unit or units as well as the overall requirement. You may also need other acceptable Level 3 qualifications alongside the BTEC. You should contact the admissions team for your course before you apply to check your qualifications will be considered.

We will also consider the size and subject of your BTEC and any other Level 3 qualifications when we advise on your entry requirements. Please contact the relevant admissions team to find out more. You can find their contact details on Course Search.

Some of our schools may take into consideration whether the BTEC is on the QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) or RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) when setting entry requirements. You should tell us on your application form which framework your qualification sits in. If you are not sure, you should ask your current school or college. Further information can also be found on the Pearson website.

Cambridge Pre-U

We will consider your three principal subjects or a combination of principal subjects and A-levels. We will take the Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) Pre-U into consideration as part of your overall profile and may consider it where you are undertaking GPR in combination with two to three A-levels or equivalent. We would encourage you to discuss your GPR qualification in your UCAS application.

Cambridge Tec – CTEC

We accept the Extended Diploma, but you may need an additional A-level for some courses. We usually only accept the Introductory Diploma alongside two A-levels and the Diploma alongside one or two A-levels. Please contact the relevant admissions team to find out more. You can find their contact details on Course Search.

City & Guilds Key Skills Application of Number Certificate in Adult Numeracy

We do not accept Application of Number Level 2 as an equivalent to GCSE Maths.

Core Maths

We will accept Level 3 Core Maths if you have achieved a grade C/4 in GCSE Maths but you need a higher grade for your chosen course. Where A-level Maths is required we do not accept Core Maths instead.

English Baccalaureate

We do not require applicants to have obtained the English Baccalaureate.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Although UK students are not required to take the Extended Project Qualification, we appreciate that it provides the opportunity for you to develop important research and academic skills. We encourage you to provide further information on your project in your personal statement and, if invited, at interview as it is often taken into account if you narrowly miss the grades outlined in our offer to you.

In some cases, admissions tutors may make an alternative offer to applicants that involves successful completion of the EPQ (for example, AAB plus A in the EPQ as an alternative to AAA at A-Level). Please check Course Search to see if this is available for your course.

Functional Skills

We do not accept Functional Skills Level 2 Maths as an equivalent to GCSE Maths.

However, we may accept Functional Skills Level 2 English as an equivalent to GCSE English. Please check with the course admissions team before applying. You can find their contact details on Course Search.

Higher National Diploma (HND) and Higher National Certificate (HNC)

Some of our faculties will accept HNDs and HNCs, depending on the course. Please contact the relevant admissions team to find out more. You can find their contact details on Course Search.

International Baccalaureate (IB) courses

We encourage applications from students undertaking Higher Level (HL) IB courses. We will consider applicants who present three HL courses, or a combination of HLs with A-Levels, in which case three unique subjects must be undertaken. Please note that subject-specific requirements may apply to some courses.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

We usually base our offer on your overall points score, although some courses may also ask you for specific grades in some higher level or standard level subjects. This list shows you A-level grades and the equivalent International Baccalaureate Diploma score.

  • AAA – 35 points (you may be asked for grades of 6/7 in higher level subjects).
  • AAB – 35 points (you may be asked for grades of 5, 6 or 7 (in exceptional cases) in higher level subjects).
  • ABB – 34 points (you may be asked for grades of 5 or 6 in one or two higher level subjects). 

We accept Standard Level Maths: Applications and Interpretation and Maths: Analysis and Approaches in place of GCSE Maths.

We accept Higher Level Maths: Applications and Interpretation and Maths: Analysis and Approaches in place of A-level Maths. 

Our requirements vary by course and may differ depending on the IB modules you are taking. Please check Course Search to find out the requirements for your course.

International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP)

If you are an IBCP student, you should contact the faculty admissions team prior to your application so your academic profile can be considered. You can find their contact details on Course Search. The type and size of the vocational elements and the level of the IB courses will be considered so the team can advise on your specific qualifications.

International Project Qualification (IPQ)

We appreciate that the International Project Qualification enables you to develop your research and academic skills. We encourage you to include information about your project in your personal statement and if you are invited to interview, as it is often taken into account if you narrowly miss the grades outlined in our offer to you.

In some cases, admissions tutors may make an alternative offer to applicants that involves successful completion of the IPQ (for example, AAB plus A in the IPQ as an alternative to AAA at A-Level). Please contact the relevant admissions team to find out more. You can find their contact details on Course Search.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level)

We accept the Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level). You can find out more about our requirements on our international qualifications page.

Level 1/2 Certificates

We accept Level 1/2 certificates from AQA, CAIE and Edexcel, as an equivalent to GCSE qualifications. Please contact the relevant admissions team for further information. You can find their contact details on Course Search.

National 5s

We accept National 5s as equivalent to GCSEs. The minimum English language requirement is grade C or above.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We accept Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers with the grades in the list below. The list shows the A-level grades and equivalent Higher and Advanced Higher grades. 

A*AA at A-level 

  • AA in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers    
  • A in an Advanced Higher and AAAAB in Highers    
  • AAAAAA in Highers

AAA at A-level 

  • AA in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers 
  • A in an Advanced Higher and AAABB in Highers
  • AAAAAA in Highers

AAB at A-level 

  • AB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers
  • A in an Advanced Higher and AABBB in Highers
  • AAAABB in Highers

ABB at A-level 

  • BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers
  • B in an Advanced Higher and AAABB in Highers
  • AABBBB in Highers

BBB at A-level

  • BB in Advanced Highers and BBBBB in Highers
  • B in an Advanced Higher and BBBBB in Highers
  • BBBBBB in Highers

T Levels

T Levels will be considered for entry on to the foundation year courses offered by our Lifelong Learning Centre. Some of our faculties will accept T Levels for entry on to undergraduate degrees – this is dependent on the T Level subject and the degree course. Please see our T Levels statement to find out more.

Welsh Baccalaureate

Some courses may include the Welsh Baccalaureate when they make an offer. We encourage you to discuss your Work-Related Education, Personal and Social Education and Individual Investigation in your personal statement and at interview.

In some cases, admissions tutors may make an alternative offer, one of which involves successful completion of the Welsh Baccalaureate (eg AAA at A-level or AAB plus the Welsh Baccalaureate). Please contact the relevant admissions team for further information. You can find their contact details on Course Search.