Entry requirements
Please see individual programmes in the Degree programmes A-Z for entry requirements.
What subjects are approved for entry?
The University currently accepts all Highers/Advanced Highers and A-levels in fulfilment of the general entry requirements. Check that you meet any specific entry requirements; not all subjects may be acceptable for all programmes. If you have any questions please contact the appropriate admissions office (see Contacts) before applying.
These pages list the normal minimum entry requirements for degree programmes. You should check this information carefully before submitting your UCAS application and if you have any queries please contact the admissions offices (see Contacts ). Also, please note that entry requirements are subject to alteration, and their publication does not imply that the University must offer you a place at the level indicated. Nor does it imply that if you have already met the minimum standards (or could achieve them) you will be made an offer. Offers are based not only on your academic record but on your evidence of potential as outlined in your personal statement and in the reference and in your suitability for the course as indicated in your UCAS application.
If you are offering non-UK qualifications, contact the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts.
SQA Highers
The University normally expresses its entry requirements for Scottish applicants in terms of individual Highers achieved at particular grades. Where appropriate, specific subjects achieved at a specified level may be required.
Advanced Highers
The Advanced Higher may be taken into consideration for admission purposes.
The University recognises the value of the Advanced Higher and the benefit which the depth of study brings to an applicant in an individual subject.
Science, engineering or social science courses will allow applicants who are being made conditional offers which include Asdvanced Highers, to double count the Advanced Higher grade with Highers in the same subject, even where a grade A has already been achieved at first sitting.(Conditional offers will only be made on this basis where good grades have already been achieved in four subjects at first sitting).
Arts courses will not double count Highers and Advanced Highers, but will take an Advanced Higher into account if the same subject at Higher was achieved at Grade C or below or where a B was attained and a second sitting offer requires a Grade A at Higher to be attained. The University normally regards a Grade B at Advanced Higher to be equivalent to a Higher at A.
Exemption from Year 1 study
It’s possible to gain exemption from Year 1 study and direct entry into Year 2 for applicants with exceptional Advanced Higher or A-level grades. This would allow the completion of a standard Honours degree within three years. This does not apply for all degree programmes or subjects. You should also consider whether you would limit your degree programme choices and miss out on the breadth and depth which are a feature of the four-year degree.
Arts and social sciences – If you’re interested in this route, you should contact the appropriate admissions office (see Contacts) in the first instance to discuss the options.
Science and engineering – Faster route degree programmes are available in some science and engineering subjects. These programmes allow you to complete your degree in one year less than usual. Further information is available under individual programme entries.
Scottish Baccalaureate
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Scottish Baccalaureate and the new Interdisciplinary Project. Not all degree programmes will frame offers on the basis of the Scottish Baccalaureate but rather on individual component Highers and Advanced Highers within it. Additional Highers may also be required at B or above. You should consult the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts.
Welsh Baccalaureate
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate and the Core. The Advanced Diploma with a pass in the Core and two A-levels is accepted for many programmes. You should consult the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts.
A-levels
All A-level subjects are accepted, including General Studies. You should check with individual admissions offices: see Contacts for specific exclusions.
Exemption from Year 1 study
It’s possible to gain exemption from Year 1 study and direct entry into Year 2 for applicants with exceptional A-level or Advanced Higher grades. This would allow the completion of a standard Honours degree within three years. This does not apply for all degree programmes or subjects. You should also consider whether you would limit your degree programme choices and miss out on the breadth and depth which are a feature of the four-year degree.
Arts and social sciences – If you’re interested in this route, you should contact the appropriate admissions office (see Contacts) in the first instance to discuss the options.
Science and engineering – Faster route degree programmes are available in some science and engineering subjects. These programmes allow you to complete your degree in one year less than usual. Further information is available under individual programme entries.
14-19 Curriculum Developments
Advanced Diplomas
We will be happy to consider applications from those studying towards many of the new Diplomas. Our entry requirements for each specific strand of the diploma can be accessed on the UCAS website at www.ucas.com.
Extended Project
The University very much values the Extended Project and its role in preparing students for a successful higher education experience. We are supportive of the requirement for Diploma students to undertake an Extended Project as part of their Diploma programme, and in highly selective areas preference may be given to students with A-levels, who also offer the Extended Project for entry.
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
We welcome applicants offering the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma. Combinations of individual Pre-U subjects and A-level subjects are acceptable if three subjects are offered overall. Typical offers are likely to require two subjects at minimum M2 and one at D3. Check with the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts to ensure acceptability.
Higher National qualifications
These are accepted across a wide range of subjects. You will be asked to obtain a certain Grade or level in your graded unit(s) (or integrative assessments or merits if an older HNQ). If you are unsure of the status of your Higher National Qualification and its suitability for entry into one of our degree programmes please see Subject entry requirements or contact the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts.
UCAS tariff points
The University does not frame its offers in terms of UCAS tariff points, nor does it make use of the tariff at confirmation.
Age and stage
The University recognises that schools may present pupils for SQA Highers one year earlier than normal. For most degree programmes Highers taken in 4th and 5th year would be considered as a first sitting. This general rule may not apply if you are making application to the Medicine (MBChB) degree programme, where you will be expected to gain your entry requirements in one sitting. Please contact the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts for advice. The University does not normally consider applications based on three consecutive sittings of the appropriate qualification.
Additional contextual data
The University has robust and equitable admissions procedures, based on all relevant academic and personal circumstances, as outlined in the application form and/or in subsequent correspondence. We carefully consider academic qualifications, the personal statement, the reference, the results of any additional tests such as UKCAT or LNAT if appropriate, and the outcome of any interview as required. We aim to ensure that potential and suitability for study are thus identified. Any further contextual information, for example that on care leavers and parental education, that is or may become available from UCAS forms, may be used to supplement the overall picture of a candidate, but no single piece of such information will, on its own, be conclusive in an admission decision. The additional information will be useful in terms of ensuring that adequate support is provided to students once they are on course and will assist us in ensuring that our activities in terms of outreach and widening participation are effective.
Alternative qualifications
Are alternative qualifications accepted?
A number of students admitted to Glasgow do not come straight from school with Highers or A-levels. We welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications including
- access course qualifications
- vocational qualifications
- study at other universities
- Open University credits.
For details of alternative qualifications, please see:
If you can’t find information on your qualification, contact the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts.
Are access courses available?
The University runs access courses for mature students. Successful completion can lead to admission to some degree programmes. Classes run for 26 weeks from September to May. No formal qualifications are required and the University has found that students entering by this route perform well. For more information visit www.glasgow.ac.uk/adulteducation/access, tel: +44 (0)141 330 1830, email: june.allardyce@glasgow.ac.uk.
The University is an active member of the Scottish Wider Access Programnme (SWAP) and has recognised SWAP courses run throughout Scotland as meeting entry requirements. Most other UK access programmes are acceptable and you should ask the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts before you enrol on a course whether or not it is likely to lead to an offer of admission.
Applicants on other access courses should contact the relevant admissions office: see Contacts before making an application through UCAS.
Focus West
The University is also involved in Focus West, which was set up to encourage university and college entry from certain schools that do not commonly send many people into higher or further education. Achievement in the Top-Up programme may lead to being made an amended offer. If you attend one of the nominated schools, a University representative will visit you to explain how the scheme can work for you.
Summer school
We offer a six-week summer school that could give you the chance to upgrade your qualifications and gain admission to Glasgow. It may also boost your confidence and assist in ensuring you are well prepared for your first year. Contact Dr Hamilton in the Recruitment & International Office, tel: +44 (0)141 330 5584, email: denise.hooper@glasgow.ac.uk.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework brings all qualifications in Scotland into a unified framework of credits and levels. For further information, visit www.scqf.org.uk. If you are seeking to use a credit gained elsewhere towards a degree at Glasgow, it is the responsibility of the University to determine how much credit, if any, is relevant to the programme being applied for.