University of Edinburgh entry requirements
An explanation of our entry requirements and how to interpret them.
Our entry requirements are set to the academic standard we require you, either:
- to have already achieved to be considered for an unconditional offer of a place of study; or
- to be capable of achieving, to be considered for a conditional offer of a place of study
Typical and minimum entry requirements
Our entry requirements are normally expressed with an upper and lower level, for example, AAAA-ABBB for Scottish Highers, or AAA-ABB for A Levels. The upper level shows the typical entry requirement, for example AAAA for Scottish Highers, and the lower level shows the minimum entry requirement, for example ABBB.
Our minimum entry requirements are set at a level that ensures applicants have the skills and knowledge to successfully complete their programme.
All applicants who meet, or are predicted to meet, our minimum entry requirements progress to the selection process. However, competition for most of our degrees is high and demand for places generally exceeds the number of places available, so not all applicants who enter the selection process can be made an offer.
It is also a requirement of the University that applicants submit a fully completed UCAS application including a personal statement, reference and predicted grades. This information along with other factors are taken into consideration as part of the selection process in addition to qualifications. For more details please see our information on how we select applicants
Programme requirements
Although there is generally an overall typical and minimum entry requirement for each subject area, entry requirements are specific to, and can vary by, individual degree programme. For many programmes we will expect you to have studied specific subjects and to have achieved specific grades.
Our degree finder provides the details of what is required for entry to our programmes from applicants studying Scottish Highers, A Levels and the International Baccalaureate. We advise that you take the time to read this information carefully.
Minimum entry requirements
You must have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, our minimum entry requirements for the programme you have applied for, to be considered for an offer of a place. Use our degree finder to find programme entry requirements.
Accepted qualifications
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of UK and international qualifications.
Recent study requirements
To demonstrate that students are prepared for degree-level study, we expect the qualifications used to meet our entry requirements to have been achieved within the previous three academic years before the date of entry. In addition, a Mathematics qualification used for entry to any of the following programmes must have been achieved within the previous two academic years:
- BSc (Hons) Applied Mathematics
- MA (Hons) Mathematics
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics & Biology
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics & Business
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics & Music
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics & Physics
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics & Statistics
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics Global Select Pathway
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Management
- MMath
- MA (Hons) Economics & Mathematics
- MA (Hons) Economics & Statistics
- MA (Hons) Philosophy & Mathematics
- MA (Hons) Primary Education with Mathematics
General entry requirements for English language
For entry to all our degrees you must provide evidence that your level of English will enable you to succeed on your chosen programme.
Unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
- National 5 Grade C
- SQA Standard Grade 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
- SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
- GCSE Grade C
- IB Standard Level Grade 4