The University of Southampton

For 2020 entry

View 2019 entry requirements

Qualification Grade
GCSE  

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

GCE A-Level

AAA-AAB including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical

or 

AABC including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical 

GCE A-Level with Extended Project Qualificiation (EPQ)

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:

AAB including mathematics/further mathematics (minimum grade A) and  physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical and grade A in the EPQ 

GCE A-Level with Contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. 

Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:

AAB including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical 

A- level additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.  ‘Use of mathematics’ A level is not a substitute for ‘mathematics’ A level. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer. 

Welsh Baccalaureate offer

AAA-AAB including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical

or

AA from two A-levels including mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical and A-B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate 

AABC including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical

or

AA from two A-levels including mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical, and grades BC from a third A-level and the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate 

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.  ‘Use of mathematics’ A level is not a substitute for ‘mathematics’ A level. A pass in the physics Practical is required where applicable. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer. 

International Baccalaureate Diploma
offer

Pass, with 36-34 points overall, with 18-17 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in mathematics/further mathematics and 6 at Higher Level in physics

Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.

Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP)
offer

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer.  Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. 

Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Access to HE Diploma offer

Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate offer (first awarded 2017)

 H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2, including H1 in mathematics and physics

Irish Leaving Certificate offer (last awarded 2016)

 A1,A1,A2,A2,A2,A2, including A1 in mathematics and physics

Irish Leaving Certificate additional information

 Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.

Scottish Qualification offers

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U offer

 D3,D3,D3, in three Principal subjects including mathematics/further mathematics and physics

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of A Level grade B.

Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.

Level 3 BTEC (QCF) offer (unreformed)

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical 

We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma

We do not accept the BTEC Diploma

Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma or the BTEC Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year

Level 3 BTEC (RQF) offer (reformed)

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical 

We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma

We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma

Applicants with a BTEC National Extended Diploma or the BTEC National Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year

Level 3 BTEC additional information

‘Use of mathematics’ A level is not a substitute for ‘mathematics’ A level. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer. 

European Baccalaureate offer

80% overall including 8.5 in mathematics and physics, with at at least 5 in Maths as an elective subject. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer. 

International qualifications

Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country  

This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.

Non-academic entry requirements

There are no additional requirements

English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.

Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components

For 2019 entry

Qualification Grade
GCSE  GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C or above
 GCE A-level  AAA, including AA in Mathematics and Physics
International Baccalaureate requirements

 If you are taking an IB, we require 34 points with 18 at Higher Level including 6 in Maths and Physics.

Alternative qualifications

We welcome applications from candidates offering qualifications other than A and AS levels (including BTEC, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificate and Scottish Highers). You will be expected to attain an equivalent standard to an A level applicant.

International applicants

We welcome applications from international students. Visit our international site for more information about our international student community, support and how to apply

English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements

Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components