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Admissions Criteria

Academic Qualifications - Academic Performance - Extracurricular Involvement - Reason for Attending Institution

When selecting universities, first consider whether you meet the minimum academic qualifications. As you prepare your applications, you should also keep in mind your application will be reviewed holistically and that both academic performance and non-academic, subjective criteria will be evaluated too such as extracurricular involvement and compelling reasons for choosing a university.

Establishing that you meet the minimum academic criteria for admission to the universities of your choice does not guarantee entrance to those universities, but is instead the first step in assuring that your application is seriously considered. To have the best chance at admission to a highly-competitive university, it is important to pair high marks with an thorough, carefully considered application package.

Minimum Academic Qualifications:

For admission to the most competitive Bachelor's programmes, students educated in the British system are typically expected to hold at least five GCSEs at grade C or above (or five Scottish Standard Grades), as well as three A levels (or a minimum of three Scottish Highers). The subjects studied at GCSE or Standard level should include English and Maths. The most competitive US universities also welcome applicants with the IB and Pre-U.

The slightly less competitive Bachelor's programmes are likely to accept the BTEC. Additionally, some institutions, particularly two-year or community colleges will recognise other UK qualifications, such as GNVQs, GSVQs, HNCs or HNDs.

To ensure that you receive accurate and up to date information, we recommend that you contact individual universities about whether your qualifications are sufficient to be considered for admissions.

If you have only completed your GCSEs, you may wish to apply for a two-year Associate programme at a community college, which will give you the option to transfer to a four-year Bachelor's programme in a 2+2 arrangement.  If you plan to apply for a four-year Bachelor's programme immediately, the university may require you to sit the GED high school equivalency exam.

Academic Performance:

Your academic abilities will be evaluated in the first instance by your results in Years 10 - 13 (such as GCSE, AS-levels and predicted A-levels). However, your academic aptitude will also be assessed through your performance on admissions tests and academic honours earned in secondary school and college.  The stronger your academic record inside the classroom and on standardised tests, the stronger your chances of admission. However, academic achievements alone will not guarantee entrance to competitive US university programmes.

Unfortunately, there is not an official grade conversion between US and UK marks.  Instead, US university admissions officers either evaluate international credentials internally or require that students use an external credential evaluator.  Below is a chart displaying approximate grade conversions that may be useful in determining competitiveness for admission and funding.

We do not recommend reporting a US GPA on your applications. Leave this field blank or report your UK results in their original format.

Extracurricular Involvement:

US universities are looking for well-rounded applicants who will be active in their classrooms and on their campuses. From your application, they will also want to gain a sense of your personality, personal and professional interests. By highlighting your involvement in extracurricular activities at school or within the community, you will be able to tell them more about who you are as a person, as well as place your academic achievements in context. Students that perform well academically while balancing extracurricular activities, such as sports, performing arts, community service, leadership roles and/or part-time work, are more likely to gain admission to a US university program than a student that has not participated in an activity of any sort.

US universities will be interested to learn about activities such as: paid and unpaid work experience, volunteering, sports, school activities, interests in the arts, hobbies, etc.

Compelling Reason for Attending The Institution:

As explained in the overview of the admissions process, admissions officers will be assessing your application for entry into the institution rather than a particular field of study. It is imperative that within your application you demonstrate compelling reasons for pursuing an undergraduate degree at that particular university. We recommend that students compile a thoughtful list of reasons why they believe each of their chosen universities is a good match for them, as well as why they are a good fit for the university, and refer to these lists when writing admissions essays and responses to short answer questions.