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If you want to go to university, you’ll need to meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. Also referred to as UCAS entry points, these requirements are one of the ways that unis try to ensure you’re a suitable applicant who’ll be able to cope with the course demands.
Requirements are set individually for each course by the universities themselves. Popular courses and unis tend to be pickier about who they admit, so often set higher entry standards. Because of this, you may consider applying for courses across a variety of requirements. For example, you could pick three based on your predicted grades, one with lower requirements and one aspirational course that requires higher grades than your predictions.
Ready to apply? Read our guide to applying to university!
CONTENTS:
- Why are university requirements so important?
- Where can you find out about entry requirements?
- What are examples of entry requirements?
- What are UCAS points?
Why are university requirements so important?
You have to meet the relevant entry requirements to get a place on your chosen course, making them very important!
Different unis and different courses will have different requirements. For example, physiotherapy courses ask for between 96 and 136 UCAS points, CCC to AAB at A-level or MMM to D*D*D* at BTEC.
Looking at the entry requirements should be one of the first things you do when researching courses. If they’re much higher than your current grades, or what you’re predicted, it’s unlikely you’ll be accepted.
Read more: What factors should you consider when choosing a university?
Where can you find out about entry requirements?
Entry requirements for each course are set individually by the university. They will differ from uni to uni, even if they’re offering the same course. For example, most unis will ask for an AAB at A-level to study a degree in optometry, although some will consider applicants with a BBB.
You can find out about specific entry requirements on the uni website, in a prospectus or at open days. If you’re still unsure, it’s definitely worth directly contacting the university admissions team to ask.
You can compare entry requirements across different courses by using our handy course finder. Just type your chosen course title in the search bar to bring up what’s currently on offer. Use the filters to personalise your search with your current or predicted grades to show unis that are in line with your results.
What are examples of entry requirements?
- Post-16 qualifications and grades (including A-levels, T-levels, BTEC, Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, Welsh Baccalaureate)
- UCAS points
- GCSEs (typically five, including English and maths)
- Creative portfolio
- In-person or online interviews
- Admissions tests
- Auditions
What are UCAS points?
Every post-16 UK qualification is worth a certain number of UCAS points. The higher your grade, the more UCAS points your qualification is worth. The best way to work out how many UCAS points you have is by using our UCAS calculator.
Universities use these as entry requirements for courses as they are a way of measuring the relative value of different qualifications. For example, to study an accounting and finance degree you’ll need between 96 and 144 UCAS points. This relates to a CCC at A-level or MMP at BTEC, to a BBB at A-level or DDD at BTEC.
Ready to visit a prospective uni and find out more about potential courses? Book onto an open day.
