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Entry requirements and qualifications

The University of Liverpool welcomes applications from everyone with the potential to succeed in higher education. There are a wealth of entry requirements and qualifications, here we explain what our general entry requirements are and which qualifications we accept, including English language requirements for international students.

General requirements

We require all applicants for undergraduate programmes to demonstrate a good general education, which includes acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, normally equivalent to at least grade 4 or C at GCSE in English and Mathematics.

Individual programmes may have additional requirements, and these are outlined on our online course pages.

English language requirements

International students must have an internationally-recognised English language qualification. For further advice on the acceptability of a full range of qualifications for students whose first language is not English, see our English Language entry requirements.

Qualifications

While many of our school-leaving applicants apply with A-levels, we also consider a wide range of UK and international qualifications.

UK Entry Qualifications

This policy statement provides information on the University of Liverpool’s approach to specific qualifications, their acceptability and how we will verify that applicants have the qualifications they claim to have on their application form.

Reformed A Levels in England

The University of Liverpool is happy to accept both reformed and unreformed A-level qualifications, and does not differentiate between grades obtained in reformed and unreformed A-levels.

We are aware that many schools no longer offer AS-level qualifications and therefore we do not use AS-level results formally in admissions decision-making. If applicants have taken AS-levels, we would expect them to record the results on the UCAS application, but we will not specifically require students to have taken AS-levels for entry to our programmes.

A statement giving more details about the University’s position in relation to AS Levels following curriculum reform in England may be found on our website.

A-Levels

A large proportion of our school-leaving applicants from England, Wales and Northern Ireland apply to us with three or more A-levels.

Unit Grade Information

We do not use Unit Grades in expressing the terms of the offers we make to applicants. However, we request information from UCAS on the unit grades obtained by applicants offering A-Levels, and may use this information during the confirmation period to distinguish between candidates who have narrowly missed the terms of their offer.

Use of the A* Grade

We recognise the A* grade as an indication of remarkable achievement but do not normally use it in making offers to applicants; however, we may use the A* to draw distinctions between otherwise equally qualified candidates at confirmation.

We may, exceptionally, make an offer requiring an applicant to obtain an A* where it is in the applicant’s best interest to do so; for example if the A* grade compensates for a previously-obtained A-level at a lower grade.

Science Practical Endorsement

Following the reforms, science subjects at A-level include a separately graded practical endorsement. The University of Liverpool will require applicants offering Science subjects at A-level where the applicant has access to the practical exam to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in addition to attaining the specified grade.

BTEC Qualifications

For the majority of programmes BTEC National Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma plus one A level and BTEC National Extended Certificate plus two A levels will be considered however there may be subject requirements depending on the programme.  In some cases the subject requirement may only be considered if it is being studied at A level.

Please note that some programmes will only accept BTEC National Extended Diplomas, BTEC Diplomas or BTEC Certificates in certain subjects.  Please see our online prospectus for full details of BTEC requirements.

Extended Project

The University recognises that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will provide an applicant with the opportunity to develop research and academic skills relevant for study at the University of Liverpool. Candidates are encouraged to draw upon their experience of undertaking the project when writing their personal statement, particularly if the topic is allied to their chosen degree course. Many of our programmes will make an alternative offer for candidates who have undertaken an EPQ.

Accepted for all programmes apart from Clincal programmes and Humanities and Social Sciences programmes based in Management, Law or Sociology departments who will not accept the EPQ. Programmes offered through Carmel College do not usually include the EPQ in offers. 

Note that for some programmes the EPQ is only accepted in combination with three A levels not in combination with other Level three qualifications.

Core Maths Qualifications

The University recognises the value of the Core Maths qualification to support the development of mathematical skills. While the University will not include Core Maths in our entry requirements, we welcome the additional skills it will give to students. We will not accept Core Maths in lieu of AS/A level Maths or equivalent qualifications where Mathematics is a subject requirement.

T-level Qualifications

An initial number of T-Level qualifications were introduced for first teaching from September 2020, with the first students offering T-Levels applying to university for entry 2022. For non-clinical programmes, we will consider T-Levels in a relevant subject on a case-by-case basis, but may require further information to assess an application such as an interview. Non-clinical programmes with subject requirements may require additional qualifications in the relevant subject. For new T-Level routes the University will scrutinise these via its Qualifications Group when programme specifications and sample assessment materials become available.

International Baccalaureate

The University recognises the value of the IB programme in enabling applicants to study a range of subjects. The IB Diploma is accepted for all undergraduate programmes and we encourage applicants to review the typical grade and subject requirements on our programme pages. We understand that some applicants may study an IB Higher Level subject in combination with A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications, which would be considered by the majority of programmes, but note that for some programmes a Higher Level subject can only be considered in combination with two A levels.

OCR Cambridge Technical

OCR Cambridge Technicals are considered for Science and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and Health and Life Sciences on the same basis as BTEC. Although some programmes within Science and Engineering may require an additional Mathematics test.

Welsh Baccalaureate

The Welsh Baccalaureate is considered for Science and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and Health and Life Sciences on the same basis as BTEC at either a grade A or B depending on the programme. Although some programmes within Science and Engineering may require an additional Mathematics test.

Note that for the majority of programmes the Welsh Baccalaureate will only be accepted in combination with two A levels and not in combination with other Level 3 qualifications.

Other UK Qualifications

We consider a wide range of UK qualifications, including Scottish Advanced Highers, AQA Baccalaureate, Cambridge Pre-U and the Access to HE Diploma. Details of the specific entry requirements for applicants offering these qualifications may be found in the online Undergraduate Prospectus.

Verification of Qualifications

It is important for us to be able to ascertain that applicants have achieved the results that they need to meet the terms of any offer we have made.

Results of the most-frequently offered qualifications, including A-levels, AS-Levels, Scottish Advanced Highers, the International Baccalaureate, BTECs, Cambridge Technicals, Cambridge Pre-U, the Welsh Baccalaureate and the Irish Leaving Certificate are transmitted directly to the University via UCAS from the appropriate examining body, and applicants who have taken these qualifications within the past twelve months do not need to send in details of their results. However, we may seek verification of qualifications that are not forwarded to us in this way.

Applicants who are taking qualifications whose results are not transmitted directly to the University should ensure that proof of their results is sent directly to the Admissions Team as soon as they are available.

Please note that the University requires proof of the results for all the qualifications recorded on the UCAS application form, not just those that form part of a conditional offer. Non-UK applicants will be required to send us photocopies or scans of their certificates, transcripts, etc and to present their original documents at the point of registration. Further information can be found here.