International Study Centre

Building in Aberdeen

Entry requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate pathways

The first step on your journey to a degree at the University of Aberdeen is to see what entry requirements you need to join us at the International Study Centre. After completing your course at the International Study Centre and achieving the required grades, you can then continue your studies on the degree of your choice at the University of Aberdeen.

Undergraduate pathway programmes

Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Academic: Good high school graduate grades or equivalent.*

English language: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.5 (4.5 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)

*For our Life Sciences pathway, you will also need to have studied Chemistry and one other Science or Maths subject. For the Physical Sciences and Engineering pathway, Maths and/or Physics may also be required.

Your countryAcademic qualification(s) you need
AfghanistanSecondary school certificate : 70% overall including 70% in relevant subjects.
AlbaniaSecondary school Leaving Certificate (year 11) overall average grade 7 including 7 in relevant subjects. Diploma of State Maturita (year 12) overall grade 7.
AlgeriaBacc de l'Enseignment Secondaire  with grade average of 10 inc relevant subjects.
Bangladesh

Year 12 (HSC): GPA 3.5 overall (Relevant subjects GPA 3.25 if required)

(Note 1: Maths at HSC is required for Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering

(Note 2: For Business, Economics Accounting & Real Estate, Humanities, Law & Social Science if student does not have Maths at HSC then Maths at SSC to be accepted at GPA 3.5).

ChileEnseñanza Media/Licencia de Educación grade 4.5 overall out of 7, including 4.5 in relevant subjects.
China

Year 11 (Senior High 2): 70% overall and min 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects)/ Year 11 Specialized secondary school or secondary technical vocational school (Medium level): 75% overall and a min of 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects)

Year 12 (Senior High 3): 60% overall and min 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects)/Year 12 Specialized secondary school or secondary technical vocational school (Medium level): 65% overall and a min of 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects). Or Huikao with 70%.

EgyptYear 12 (GSEC): 60% overall and with 50% minimum in relevant subjects. Cert of Nile International Secondary Education (CNISE) level 1 min. 5 subjects grades A-C including relevant subjects (including native language).
GhanaSuccessful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate average grade 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more subjects.
Hong KongHKDSE 222. Can consider form 5 result directly if they meet the form 5 requirement.
IndiaCompletion of Year 11 60% or
Year 12 (HSC) 50%.
IndonesiaSuccessful completion of SMU 3/Sikolah Menegah at grade 6.0 or above or SMU 2 at an average of 6.5.
IranTranscript of High School Diploma Theoretical stream (3 years) required Min. overall GPA requirement is 14 inc relevant subjects.
JapanUpper Secondary School certificate (Kotogakko)/Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination:
Year 12/Senior 3: overall avarage 55% + or GPA 2.5 on 5 scale
Year 11/Senior 2: overall average 70%+ or GPA 3.5 on 5 scale.
JordanSuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% including relevant subjects.
KazakhstanSuccessful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education (Grade 11) with grade average 4 and 5.
KoreaSH3: Grade D/60%/ Rank 6 or CSAT
SH2: Grade C/65%/ Rank 5

Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - 50%+ inc relevant subjects.
KuwaitSuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 70% including relevant subjects.
LibyaSuccessful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80%.
MacauIGCSE/'O' Levels - Grade C in 4 relevant subjects inc English.
Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with 65% average
Form 6 or Senior Middle 3 with 60% average.
MalaysiaUEC with aggregate of not more than 34 points for 5 relevant academic subjects inc English & Mathematics. SPM school: Form 5 - A-C grades in 4 subject.
MexicoSuccessful completion of Bachillerato at a average of 75% and above.
MoroccoDiplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 12.
NepalYear 12 (HSC or School Leaving Certificate Examination (Grade XI and XII)): 50%
(Pass in relevant subjects required, can be accepted from Year 11 or Year 12).
NigeriaSuccessful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more relevant subjects.
PakistanYear 11 entry: 70% - 50% min. required for relevant subjects ie. Maths and Sciences. HSC grades: 55%.
QatarSuccessful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 70% in relevant subjects.
RussiaSuccessful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 4.0.
Saudi ArabiaSuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% and no lower than 70% in relevant subjects.
Singapore4 A-C grades O Level (accept mother tongue languages) or Year 1 of Diploma/University course with GPA 1.8.
Sri LankaSri lankan GCE O level: Grade C in 6 subjects including relevant subjects
Sri lankan GCE A level: Grade D in 2 subjects including relevant subjects.
TaiwanSH3 / Year 12 55% or SH2 / Year 11 65%. Including Math 55% at SH3 or SH2.
Grades A (80-100% = Highest/4), B (70-79% = Average/3). C (60-69% - Pass/2).
3 Year JCD: 60%
GSAT - 33  from 4 relevant subjects (for relevant subject requirement: can refer to SH3 subject result 75%)

Vocational High School Year 3: 55% or Year 2: 65%.
ThailandSuccessful completion of MAW 6 with average GPA 2.0 in relevant subjects including Maths and Sciences or successful completion of MAW 5 with GPA 2.5.
TurkeyDevlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 50% overall with minimum 50% in relevant subjects or Year 11 - GPA 2.75 or Year 12 2.5.
UAESuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% and minimum of 70% in relevant subjects.
UkraineSuccessful completion of ATTESTAT/11th grade with a minimum GPA of 7.0.
USA

Grade 11: 2.75 (77%) or Grade 12: 2.50 (74%) with minimum 4 academic subjects including relevant subjects at the same overall GPA

GED: 600 overall with 150 in 4 academic subjects.

UzbekistanCertificate of General Secondary Education, 11 years - minimum GPA 3.0 including relevant subjects.
VietnamSecondary School Graduation/Year 12 completion*/National University Entrance Examination with a score of 5.0+ or Year 11 with GPA 6.0 overall.

Other international qualifications

  • IGCSE / GCSE / O-Level: 4 passes at 9-4, (A-C) in relevant subjects (including native language).
  • A levels/AS levels: 24 UCAS points (native language accepted).
  • IB first year - 20 points or IB Certificate - 20 points.
  • GED - 600 overall with 160  in relevant subjects or Year 11: 2.5. Year 12: 2.0.

International Year Two

Academic: Good high school graduate grades or equivalent plus one year of further study.^

English language: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in all skills)*

^For the Computing Science pathway, further study must include Maths or Computing Science.
*Alternatives to Academic IELTS for UKVI accepted as proof of your English language level.

Your countryAcademic qualification(s) you need to have
AlgeriaBacc de l'Enseignment Secondaire  with grade average of 12.
AzerbaijanSecondary School leaving certificate/11th grade graduation with grades 5.
Bangladesh

- Year 12( Intermediate Certificate/Alim): GPA 3.25 overall and 3.25 in relevant subjects

- Year 12 (HSC) GPA: 3.75 overall (3.75 in English, 3.5 in relevant subjects) plus 1 year of further studies (degree/diploma)

(Note 1: HSC Maths GPA 3.5 is required for Computing Science)

(Note 2: For Business Management & Finance if student does not have Maths at HSC then Maths at SSC to be accepted at GPA 3.5).

China

Year 12 (Senior High 3)with 65% or above in 4 or more key subjects (including relevant subject and no further year study requirement);/ Year 12 Specialized secondary school or secondary technical vocational school (Medium level): 70% overall and a min of 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects)
Year 11 (Senior High 2) with 70% overall and 60% or above in 4 or more key subjects(including relevant subject)/ Year 11 Specialized secondary school or secondary technical vocational school (Medium level) with 75% overall and a min of 60% in 4 academic subjects (including relevant subjects) plus successfully completed 1 year of further year of study with a pass;

Or 50% overall plus 50% in relevant subjects for Gaokao results;

ColombiaSuccessful completion of Bachillerato in 5 relevant subjects including a minimum of B in Maths for Business & Management and Computing routes + ICFES in 4 relevant subjects including 70% in Maths for Business Management and Computing routes + 1 further year of study.
GhanaWest African Higher School Certificate with at least 3 'B' grades. Must include B in relevent subjects.
Hong KongHKDSE- 332 from eligible subjects, inc one elective (relevant subject requirement Level 2 or Form 6 pass).
IndiaYear 12 HSC 60% (Note: 55% in relevant subjects required, can be taken from any year from Year 10, 11 or Year 12).
Indonesia7.0 SMU 3 (4 relevant subjects require) OR 1st Year university study with grade 2.0 and above.
IranTranscript of High School Diploma Theoretical stream (3 years) GPA 14/20 plus further year.
Japan

High School leaving certificate with 3.5 GPA accepted alone

If GPA lower than 3.5, one year of further study required after completion of High School/Upper Secondary School leaving certificate

Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination: pass in 4 (Grade B) subject, including pass in relevant subject

For Maths requirement: accpet 3.0/5.0 in Maths I/Math A or  2.0/5.0 in Math II/ Math B or 2.0/5.0 in Maths III/ Math C (regardless Year of the subject taken).

JordanSuccessful completion of Year 12 Tawjihi 70%.
KazakhstanCertificate of Secondary Education with grade 4 & 5 across all subjects plus evidence of further study.
KenyaKenyan Cert (KCSE) grades 1- 6 in 5 or more subjects.
KoreaFrom SH3 graduates: 4th Grade average in rank, with at least 4th grade in relevant/prerequisite subjects. High School Diploma or Junior Vocational College Diploma.
SH3: Grade C/70%/ Rank 4
or SH3 + 1 year of further study

Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - 75%+ inc relevant subjects.
KuwaitGeneral Secondary Education Certificate Tawjihiya 80% plus further year of study.
LibyaSuccessful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80% or above plus evidence of further study post completion of secondary school.
MacauForm 6 (all schools): 65% average with relevant subject pass.
MexicoBachillerato 90% or 75% + 1 year of Higher Education with a pass.
MyanmarBasic High School Matriculation= Minimum 70% achieved overall, including 60% in 5 relevant subjects.
NepalYear 12 (HSC or School Leaving Certificate Examination (Grade XI and XII)): 60%/GPA 2.8 overall
Relevant subjects required, can be accepted from Year 11 or Year 12.
NigeriaSuccessful completion of WAEC, SSCE or GCE grades A1-B3 in 5 or more subjects.
PakistanYear 12 (HSC/ Intermediate certificate(Part I & II))): 65% overall or
Year 12 (HSC/ Intermediate certificate(Part I & II))): 55% overall + 1 year of further study Associate diploma and other diplomas not eligible.
QatarHigh School Certificate 85% in relevant subjects plus 1 further year of study.
RussiaAttestat with minimum GPA 4.0 plus successful completion of 1 further year of study with GPA of 3.0.
Saudi ArabiaGeneral Secondary Education Certificate Tawjihiya 80% plus further year of study.
SingaporeSingapore O Levels A1 – C6 in 4 subjects plus 1 year of study of Polytechnic Diploma / Polytechnic Certificate / Polytechnic Advanced Diploma. Or Singapore/Cambridge A Levels (any relevant subjects can be taken from school completion or A levels).
TaiwanSH3 (75%) or Senior High 3 (65%) + 1 year of further study

GSAT - 40  from 4 relevant subjects (for relevant subject requirement: can refer to SH3 subject result 75%)

Vocational High School Year 3: (75%) or Year 3 (65%) +  1 year of further Study.
ThailandHigh School certificate (MAW6) GPA 2.5.
TurkeySuccessful completion of Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 55% overall.
UAESuccessful completion of Tawjihiyya 80% plus evidence of further study.
UkraineSuccessful completion of Attestat/11th Grade - GPA 8/12.
USAHigh School Diploma plus further year study. Or evidence of Advanced Placements.
VietnamSuccessful completion of Year 12 GPA 7.0.

Other international qualifications

  • A/AS levels: 52 UCAS points (excluding all native language, apart from Chinese)
  • IB Diploma Programme 24 points (IB Certificate not accepted) (Subject pass level is 3)

Postgraduate pathway programmes

Pre-Masters Programme entry requirements

Academic:

To study a Business degree at Aberdeen, you will need a good, recognised degree or advanced diploma in any discipline. Certain programmes, such as the MBA, require two years post-degree relevant work experience.

For a Law degree, you will need a good undergraduate degree or advanced degree in Law or a related discipline.

English language:

Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 (minimum 6.0 in writing and no skills below 5.5)*

*Alternatives to Academic IELTS for UKVI accepted as proof of your English language level.

Academic:

You will need a good, recognised degree or advanced diploma in Engineering or Science. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may also be considered if they can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, in addition to a good degree.

English language:

Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 (minimum 6.0 in writing and no skills below 5.5)*

*Alternatives to Academic IELTS for UKVI accepted as proof of your English language level.

Your countryAcademic qualification(s) you need to have
AlgeriaGrade 10 overall in 3 year License, Diplome d'Etudes Universitaires Appliques, Diplome d'Etudes Superieures or grade 10 in Master a cursus de Licence Integree.
AustraliaSuccessful completion of degree with overall Credit, GPA 4 on 7 point scale, 50%.
AzerbaijanSuccessful completion of Bachelors/Bakalavr degree with 55% average or a specialist Diploma.
BangladeshRecognised first degree - 3 year undergraduate degree with overall of 50% (Hons) and 55% (Regular Pass).
China

Bachelor's degree (Max 1 year internship accepted): 60%+ overall.

Undergraduate Graduation Certificate/Junior College Diploma (Max 1 year internship accepted) : A/B grades or 60% overall.

Adult Education/Self-taught Education/Top-up with Bachelor's degree recognized by MoE of China: 60% overall.

Adult Education/Self-taught Education with  Junior College Diploma recognized by MoE of China: 60% overall.

Higher National Diploma : 60% overall achieved.

Part-time qualifications are acceptable.

Accepting Bachelor's degree/ Junior College Diploma if recognized by MoE of China for Vocational education.

Accepting Higher Education qualifications of 5 years, 2/2.5 years if recognized by MoE as a HE qualification equivalent.

GhanaRecognised first degree or 3 year HEI award in a related subject area. Score of 40-49% or GPA 2.0. HND with GPA 3.0.
Hong KongFirst degree (honours/ordinary) OR HND, Honours Diploma, Associate Degree, Professional Diploma all in a related subject area with GPA 2.5 +.
IndiaRecognised first degree - 3 year undergraduate degree with overall of 45% (Hons) and 50% (Regular Pass).
IndonesiaRecognised first degree, or a D4 Diploma with 2.0 or D3 Diploma with 3.0.
IranRecognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale.
JapanRecognised first degree (C, 50%, 2.0/4) or 3-year associate degree.
Jordan4 Year Bachelor's Degree: GPA 2.0/4.0 scale or 2.5/5.0 scale.
KazakhstanSuccessful completion of Bakalavar, Specialist Diploma/Kazakh Diploma (4-5 years) with grades 3/4/5. Recognised first degree.
KenyaRecognised first degree in a related subject area (40-49%) or HND in a related subject (A/B grades/60%+/credit and distinction).
KoreaBachelor’s degree with grade average 70%+. Grade C or of 2.0 on the 4.5 scale or 2.0 on the 4.3 scale.
LibyaHigher Diploma in a related subject.
MacauRecognised first degree (honours/ordinary) GPA 2.0 or HND, Honours Diploma, Associate Degree, Professional Diploma in a related subject Area with GPA 3 or higher.
Malaysia Recognised first degree or Advanced Diploma in a related subject area (A, B & C/2.0+).
MoroccoRecognised first degree (Licence / Licence d'Études Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle / Diplôme du Cycle Normal / Diplôme de Doctorat en Pharmacie / Diplôme d'Écoles Nationales de Commerce et de Gestion), lengths of study vary with programme, 10/20.
NigeriaPost-Higher National Diploma (Post-HND) / Full Professional Diploma. Bachelor Degree with Third Class Honours. Higher National Diploma with GPA of 2.50/4.00 or 3.50/5.00.
PakistanRecognised first degree - 3 year undergraduate degree with overall of 50% (Hons) and 55% (Regular Pass), 4 Year Undergraduate (Any) 50%, ACCA 9 papers, HND Level 6
PhilippinesGrade of “Good” or above in recognised first degree from one of the Top 5 Universities.
QatarRecognised first degree, GPA 2.0/4.0 scale.
RussiaBakalavar, Specialist Diploma (4/5 years) with a minimum GPA of 4.0.
Saudi ArabiaRecognised first degree GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale.
SingaporePass from a recognised first degree or Advanced Diploma or Singapore Diploma.
South AfricaBachelor Honours Degree Professional Bachelor Degree with Third Class / 50%. Diploma National Diploma with 75%.
Sri Lanka3 or more Years Bachelor's Degree: 45% overall
3 Year Diploma: 65% overall.
TaiwanRecognised first degree/Bachelor degree at GPA 2.0.
TanzaniaRecognised first degree in a related subject area 40-49%.
ThailandBachelor degree with 2.0 on the 4.0 scale or Higher Diploma of Technical or Vocational Education or Associate Degree.
TunisiaRecognised first degrees (Bachelors degree (Licence), 3 years of study / Diplome Nationale d' (Architecture / Ingenieur) / Docteur en (Medecine / Veterinaire) / Maitrise), 10/20.
TurkeyLisans Diplomasi or Muhendis Diplomasi at GPA 2.1 or above.
UAERecognised first degree.
UgandaA three-year bachelor degree (four years for Engineering, Law and Pharmacy degrees) or 3 year HEI award in a related subject areawith GPA of at least 50-59% or C+ may be considered for entry.
UkraineRecognised first degree, Bakalavr, Junior Specialist Diploma or Ukrainian Diploma (4/5 years) 3.5/5 or 6/12.
USASuccessful completion of degree GPA 2.0 on a 4 point scale.
VietnamRecognised First Degree with GPA 6.0 . Recognised Associate Degree or Higher Diploma with high grades (7.0+).

English Language Preparation Online for Pre-Masters

If you do not meet the English language entry requirements for your chosen Pre-Masters Programme, you can enrol on an English Language Preparation Online course prior to starting your programme. For the entry requirements, please see our English language preparation course.

What happens next?

Once you’ve chosen your pathway programme and seen what academic and English language grades you need, you can apply to join us. We offer support throughout the entire application process, as well as scholarships for a range of progression degrees.

Join us today

Our student enrolment advisors are available to answer your questions and help you with your application. We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Aberdeen Family.