International Study Centre

Undergraduate pathway entry requirements

The first step on your journey to an undergraduate degree at the well-respected University of Aberdeen is to see what entry requirements you need to join us at the International Study Centre.

You can start your studies with a UKVI- approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), provided you have met all the programme entry requirements.

The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.

  • IELTS Academic for UKVI
  • Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
  • Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
  • PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)

For the International Year Two programme, the following tests are also accepted:

  • TOEFL iBT
  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition
  • Cambridge ESOL
  • Pearson PTE Academic (non-UKVI)
  • IELTS Academic (non-UKVI)

You will need to obtain a SELT with the required minimum score in order to make a Student Visa application in order to come to campus.

Foundation programme admissions

To begin your programme with us, you’ll need to meet the minimum academic and English language entry requirements.

After completing your course at the International Study Centre and achieving the required grades, you can then continue your studies on the undergraduate degree of your choice at the University of Aberdeen.

Undergraduate Foundation Programme

To apply for the Undergraduate Foundation Programme, you’ll need to meet the following entry requirements:

Academic: Good high school graduate grades or equivalent. 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.

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

Your countryAcademic qualification(s) you need
BangladeshYear 12 (HSC): GPA 4.0 overall with passes in min 4 subjects and 3.75 in relevant subjects. Maximum age 21 years & 364 days
ChinaSH2 : 70% average inc relevant subjects, and a minimum of 4 academic subjects or SH3: 65% average inc relevant subjects, and a minimum of 4 academic subjects pass or above
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 KongForm 5 : 3 subject passes or HKDSE 2,2,2. Chinese to be accepted
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
JapanSuccessful completion of Kotogakko (Year 12) with grade average or 55% or GPA 2.5 Year 11 with 75% or GPA 4/5 may be considered, subject to age
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: 6th Grade average in rank, with at least 6th grade in relevant subjects
SH2: 5th Grade average in rank with at least 5th grade in relevant subjects
KuwaitSuccessful completion of Tawjihi with average of 70% including relevant subjects
LibyaSuccessful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80%
MacauSuccessful completion of iGCSE/'O' Levels at grade C in 5 relevant subjects including English or completion of Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 with an average grade of 65% - 75% in relevant subjects
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
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
TaiwanSuccessful completion of Senior High School Year 3 pass with an average grade of 60% in relevant subjects overall, including relevant subjects or SH2 with 70%
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
TurkeySuccessful completion of Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 55% overall with minimum 50% in relevant subjects
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
USAGrade 11 - GPA 2.75 or Grade 12 2.50. GED: 600 overall with 150 in 4 subjects, including prerequisites
VietnamSuccessful completion of Year 12 with average GPA 6.0 or Year 11 GPA 6.5

Other international qualifications

  • IGCSE / GCSE / O-Level: 5 passes with grade 4 minimum or grade C, including native language
  • A levels/AS levels: 24 UCAS points (native language accepted)
  • IB first year - 24 points or IB Certificate IB - 22 points

Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Life Sciences – Pathway to Medicine

To study the Pathway to Medicine at the International Study Centre, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:

Academic: Good high school graduate grades or equivalent. Students will need to have studied Chemistry – plus two other sciences from either Biology, Maths or Physics.

English language: Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in Reading and 6.0 in all other skills

For academic entry requirements for your country, please make an enquiry and we will be able to advise you.

International Year Two

To study the International Year Two you will need to meet the following entry requirements: 

Academic:

Business Management & Finance: Good high school graduate grades or equivalent plus one year of further study.
Computing Science: Good high school graduate grades or equivalent plus one year of further study including Maths or Computing Science.

English language:

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

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

Your countryAcademic qualification(s) you need to have
AlgeriaSuccessful completion of Baccalaureat de l'Enseignment Secondaire with grade average of 10
BangladeshSuccessful completion of Year 12(HSC/Intermediate Certificate/Alim): 3.5 overall
ChinaSH3 with 75% or above in 4 or more key subjects (including relevant subjects)
SH2 with 75% or above in 4 or more key subjects (including relevant subjects) plus successfully completed 1 year of further year of study with a pass;
Or 50% overall plus 60% 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
GhanaSuccessful completion of the West African Higher School Certificate (WAEC) and Ghanaian A Level and evidence of further study
Hong KongHKDSE: 3,3,2 - all subjects accepted
IndiaYear 12 HSC 70%+
IndonesiaSMU3 grade 7.5 (5 relevant subjects required) or 1st year of university study with grade 2.0 and above
IranTranscript of High School Diploma Theoretical stream (3 years) GPA 14/20 plus further year
JapanHigh School/Upper Secondary School leaving certificate plus evidence of further study
JordanSuccessful completion of Year 12 Tawjihi 70%
KazakhstanCertificate of Secondary Education with grade 4 & 5 across all subjects plus evidence of further study
KoreaSuccessful completion of SH3 with a grade average of 4 with at least 4th grade in relevant/prerequisite 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
MacauCambridge Overseas Higher School Cert A-E (COHSC), part study of Diploma, Higher Diploma or Associate degree
MexicoBachillerato 90% or 75% + 1 year of Higher Education with a pass
NigeriaSuccessful completion of WAEC, SSCE or GCE grades A1-B3 in 5 or more subjects
PakistanSuccessful completion of Higher Secondary Certificate with an average of 60% or grades 3.0-5.0 plus completion of 1st year of degree / diploma level studies or High Secondary Certificate of 70% or above
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
SingaporeDiploma from a polytechnic GPA 2.6. A levels accepted
TaiwanSuccessful completion of Senior High 3 with minimum average 80% or 75% plus evidence of 1 year of further study
ThailandSuccessful completion of MAW 6 plus evidence of further study
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: 72 UCAS points (formerly 200 UCAS tariff points (excluding all native language, apart from Chinese)
  • IB Diploma Programme 28 points (IB Certificate not accepted) (Subject pass level is 3)

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 wide range of progression degrees.