A level
AAAOur standard A-level offer is AAA including:
- Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry; and
- One of the following subjects from Chemistry; Biology/Human Biology; Physics; Psychology; Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
As long as applicants meet our science subject requirements we have no preference for the third subject. A combination of three sciences is equally acceptable at A-level. However, our offer will not include combinations of very similar subjects, for example, Biology and Human Biology or Maths and Further Maths together.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
Typical Contextual Offer: AAB including in:
- Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry; and
- One of the following subjects from Chemistry; Biology/Human Biology; Physics; Psychology; Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not acceptedAccess to HE Diploma
We welcome applications from those taking Access qualifications if you have not previously studied at University.
We do not accept Access courses to top-up A-level grades that do not meet the normal entry requirements at the first attempt. We also expect applicants to have had at least 3 years out of education prior to starting the Access course.
If you have spent 3 or more years out of education but have previously studied A-levels or other post-16 qualifications you must contact us before applying in order to determine the suitability of an application.
Your Access course must be science-based and you must have 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3. We require a minimum of 15 graded credits each in Biology and Chemistry. We require Distinctions in all Level 3 credits.
Applicants are also required to meet the English language requirements listed above and must offer GCSE Mathematics at grade B (6).
We require students to have taken the practical element of the access programme when this is offered.
Scottish Higher
We require 4 Highers at grades AAAA by the end of Secondary 5. Grades should be achieved in the same sitting at first attempt. English language and any science subject (Maths, Chemistry or Biology) not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (National 5, Intermediate II or Standard Grade Credit level grade 2 or above). Applicants also need Scottish Advanced Highers in addition to Scottish Highers.
Scottish Advanced Highers
We require at least two Advanced Highers at grades AA by the end of Secondary 6. Any of the following combinations are acceptable:
- three Advanced Highers at AAA, including Chemistry or Biology; a second science (from Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Psychology or Physics); plus one other rigorous academic subject;
- two Advanced Highers at grades AA, plus one A2-level subject at grade A (subjects as above);
- two Advanced Highers at grades AA, plus one new Higher at grade A (subjects to include Chemistry or Biology at Advanced Higher, plus one other science at Advanced Higher, and a further subject at Higher level).
You will also need Scottish Highers in addition to Scottish Advanced Highers.
AS
We have no specific requirements at AS-level. However, we would normally expect students to demonstrate a commitment towards achieving a broad and balanced education. Most applicants will therefore be studying beyond the 'bare minimum' in order to make the most competitive application possible.
You may wish to evidence this on your application in a number of ways, for example:
- studying four A-level subjects;
- studying for an additional AS level or BTEC qualification in addition to your three main subjects;
- taking General Studies, Key Skills or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in addition to your three main subjects.
We are aware that you may not be able to take the above qualifications at school or college and therefore we allow applicants to provide evidence of participating in other activities aimed at increasing social responsibility, for example, National Citizen Service (NCS) or the Duke of Edinburgh award in lieu of a formal qualification. A list of other suggested activities is provided on our FAQ page. If in doubt, please contact us.
Please note that if your school is unable to offer any of the above, they should state this in the UCAS reference and you will not be disadvantaged as a result.
Applicants with a WP/WP Plus flag are exempt.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not acceptedPearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not acceptedPearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Not acceptedPearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Not acceptedScottish Advanced Higher
We require 4 Highers at grades AAAA by the end of Secondary 5. Grades should be achieved in the same sitting at first attempt. English language and any science subject (Maths, Chemistry or Biology) not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (National 5, Intermediate II or Standard Grade Credit level grade 2 or above). Applicants also need Scottish Advanced Highers in addition to Scottish Highers.
Scottish Advanced Highers
We require at least two Advanced Highers at grades AA by the end of Secondary 6. Any of the following combinations are acceptable:
- three Advanced Highers at AAA, including Chemistry or Biology; a second science (from Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Psychology or Physics); plus one other rigorous academic subject;
- two Advanced Highers at grades AA, plus one A2-level subject at grade A (subjects as above);
- two Advanced Highers at grades AA, plus one new Higher at grade A (subjects to include Chemistry or Biology at Advanced Higher, plus one other science at Advanced Higher, and a further subject at Higher level).
You will also need Scottish Highers in addition to Scottish Advanced Highers.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
36 points36 points overall. 6,6,6, in Higher Level subjects. If Maths and English Language are not offered as part of the Diploma, they should be offered at GCSE or IGCSE at grade B (6) or above. We accept both Maths options as part of the Diploma.
Major subjects must include Chemistry or Biology, plus another science (one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology or Mathematics) and one further subject at Higher Level.
Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this.
The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A-Level entry requirements.
Students will be required to have studied one of Chemistry/Biology/Human Biology and another science (Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics) at A Level and have achieved grade AA.
Extended Project
The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not usually be included in the conditions of your offer, it is likely to be included if studying the EPQ was taken into account for selection to interview via our holistic assessment.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require at least seven GCSEs at grade A (7) or A* (8+).
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, including GCSE/IGCSE English Language, Mathematics and at least two science subjects, at a minimum of grade 6 (B). GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language. If Dual Award Science or Core and Additional Science are offered, the minimum required is BB (66).
For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ or WP++ using the University's ContextualData Eligibility tool,we willaccept 6 GCSEs at grade 7 (A) or above.
We permit GCSE resits. If you are resitting any GCSEs at point of application, we require you to list it as a pending qualification on your UCAS form.
We do not currently accept short courses; however, one Level 2 BTEC qualification is acceptable (at distinction grade or above) in lieu of one GCSE.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Not acceptedOCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
Not acceptedOCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
Not acceptedOCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
Not acceptedOCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
Not accepted