SOAS University of London

Undergraduate

Undergraduate entry requirements

The degree programme pages list A-level entry requirements, which vary from programme to programme. In addition to A-levels, we are happy to accept a wide range of alternative UK and International qualifications. The tables below are a guide to A-level equivalency, but some programmes may ask for additional requirements. 

Subject specific entry requirements

Some of the programmes we offer require you to have studied a subject or subjects to a certain level before commencing your undergraduate studies. A minimum of grade B or 6 at GCSE (or equivalent) for those without A level Maths is required for BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Management, BSc Development Economics, and BA Economics single and joint programmes. A Level Maths grades A and B, or equivalent is required for BSc Economics.

Combining qualifications

We understand that many applicants may choose to take a combination of qualifications, such as A-levels and BTEC. Our Admissions team will consider all of your qualifications and make a decision based on A-level equivalency and suitability, depending on your chosen programme of study.

UK alternative qualifications

Qualification AAA AAB ABB BBB
IB 37 (666 at HL) 35 (665 at HL) 33 (555 at HL) 31 (554 at HL)
Access to HE min of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Merit or Distinction min of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Merit or Distinction reviewed on a case by case basis reviewed on a case by case basis
BTEC* Level 3 National Diploma / National Extended Diploma DDD DDM DDM reviewed on a case by case basis
Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3,D3 D3, D3, M2 D3, M2, M2 M2, M3, M3
Scottish Highers AAAAA AAABB AABBB BBBBB
Scottish Advanced Highers AAA AAB ABB BBB

BTEC and other vocational qualifications

*BTEC qualifications will be reviewed in combination with GCSE profile for entry onto all programmes.

Students applying for single or joint Law programmes offering Access to HE qualifications or level 3 BTEC qualifications either on their own or in combination will be required to take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT). 

BTEC qualifications on their own will not be considered for entry to single or joint Politics  programmes.

International qualifications

  • Austria

    Qualification: Reifeprufungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis 

    AAA: four subjects at 1, 1, 1, 2 

    AAB: four subjects at 1, 1, 2, 2 

    ABB: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2 

    BBB: four subjects at 2, 2, 2, 2 

  • Belgium

    Qualification: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs

    AAA: 85% (8.5/10, 17/20) overall

    AAB: 80% (8/10, 16/20) overall

    ABB: 75% (7.5/10, 15/20) overall

    BBB: 70% (7/10 or 14/20)

  • Bulgaria

    Qualification: Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie

    AAA: 5.7 and 5.5 in two State Maturity Exams

    AAB: 5.5 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams

    ABB: 5.3 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams

    BBB: 5.0 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exam

  • Canada

    Qualification: High School Diploma

    AAA: 85% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories). 
    British Colombia: AAAAA in Grade 12 subjects.

    AAB: 83% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories). 
    British Colombia: AAABB in Grade 12 subjects.

    ABB: 80% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories).
    British Columbia: AABBB in Grade 12 courses.

    BBB: 75% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories).
    British Columbia: BBBBB in Grade 12 courses.

  • China

    Qualification: Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate + Gaokao

    AAA: 83% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)

    AAB: 80% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)

    ABB: 78% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)

    BBB: 76% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)

  • Croatia

    Qualification: Matura Certificate

    AAA: 5 overall with 5 in 3 Higher level subjects

    AAB: 5 overall with 5 in 2 Higher level subjects

    ABB: 4.5 overall with 5 in 1 Higher level subject

    BBB: 4.5 overall

  • Cyprus

    Qualification: Apolytirion with 2 A-Levels

    AAA: Apolytirion 19/20 + A-level grades AA

    AAB: Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades AB

    ABB: Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades BB

    BBB: Apolytirion 17.5/20 + A-level grades BB

  • Czech Republic

    Qualification: Matura Certificate

    AAA: 1, 1, 1, 2

    AAB: 1, 1, 2, 2

    ABB: 1, 2, 2, 2

    BBB: 2, 2, 2, 2

  • Denmark

    Qualification: Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen; Hojere Handelseksamen; Hojere Teknisk Eksamen

    AAA: 10 plus 10, 10, 10 in three Level A subjects

    AAB: 10 plus 10, 10, 7 in three Level A subjects 

    ABB: 7 plus 10, 7, 7 in three Level A subjects

    BBB: 7 plus 7, 7, 7 in three Level A subjects

  • Estonia

    Qualification: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus

    AAA: 4.5 with 85% in 3 state exams

    AAB: 4.5 with 85%, 85%, and 80% in 3 state exams 

    ABB: 4.0 with 85%, 80%, and 80% in 3 state exams

    BBB: 4.0 with 80% in 3 state exams

  • Finland

    Qualification: Ylioppilastukint / Studentexamen

    AAA: four subjects at 7, 6, 6, 6

    AAB: four subjects at 6, 6, 6, 5

    ABB: four subjects at 6, 5, 5, 5

    BBB: four subjects at 5, 5, 5, 5

  • France

    Qualification: French Baccalaureat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB)

    AAA: 15/20

    AAB: 14/20

    ABB: 13/20

    BBB: 12/20

  • Germany

    Qualification: Abitur

    AAA: 1.4

    AAB: 1.6

    ABB: 1.8

    BBB: 2

  • Greece

    Qualification: Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams

    AAA: 19/20

    AAB: 18.5/20

    ABB: 18/20

    BBB: 17.5/20

  • Hong Kong

    Qualification: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

    AAA: 555 in two electives and one core module (all other subjects grade 3)

    AAB: 554 in two electives and one core module (all other subjects grade 3)

    ABB: 544 in two electives and one core (all other subjects grade 3)

    BBB: 444 in two electives and one core (all other subjects grade 3)

  • Hungary

    Qualification: Matura (Erettségi)

    AAA: 5.5 overall

    AAB: 5 overall

    ABB: 4.5 overall

    BBB: 4.0 overall

  • Iceland

    Qualification: Stúdentspróf

    AAA: 8.5

    AAB: 8

    ABB: 7.5

    BBB: 7

  • India

    Qualification: Standard XII

    AAA: 85% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 90% (all other state boards)

    AAB: 80% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 85% (all other state boards)

    ABB: 75% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 80% (all other state boards)

    BBB: 70% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 80% (all other state boards)

  • Iran

    Qualification: Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe)

    AAA: Overall 19/20

    AAB: Overall 18/20

    ABB: Overall 17/20

    BBB: Overall 16/20

  • Ireland

    Qualification: Irish Leaving Certificate

    AAA: H1, H1, H2, H2, H2

    AAB: H1, H1, H2, H2, H3

    ABB: H1, H2, H2, H3, H3

    BBB: H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

  • Israel

    Qualification: Bagrut

    AAA: Overall grade of 8-10 (pre-96 grading system), 90% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

    AAB: Overall grade of 8-10 (pre-96 grading system), 85% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

    ABB: Overall grade of 7 (pre-96 grading system), 80% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

    BBB: Overall grade of 7 (pre-96 grading system), 75% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

  • Italy

    Qualification: Diploma Consequito con L’Esame di Stato

    AAA: 90% overall

    AAB: 85% overall

    ABB: 80% overall

    BBB: 75% overall

  • Latvia

    Qualification: Certificate of General Secondary Education

    AAA: 90% in four State subject exams

    AAB: 88% in four State subject exams

    ABB: 88% in four State subject exams

    BBB: 86% in four State subject exams

  • Lithuania

    Qualification: Brandos Atestatas

    AAA: 9/10 and 90% in three State Exams

    AAB: 9/10 and 90%, 90%, 85% in three State Exams

    ABB: 8.5/10 and 90%, 85%, 85% in three State Exam

    BBB: 8.5/10 and 85% in three State Exams

  • Malta

    Qualification: Advanced Matriculation Certificate

    AAA: AA (Advanced) + AAA (Intermediate)

    AAB: AA (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)

    ABB: AB (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)

    BBB: BB (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)

  • Netherlands

    Qualification: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs

    AAA: Overall 8 with 8, 8, 8, 8 in four subjects

    AAB: Overall 7.5 with 8, 8, 8, 7 in four subjects

    ABB: 7.5 overall with 8, 8, 7, 7 in four subjects

    BBB: 7 overall with 7, 7, 7, 7 in four subjects

  • Norway

    Qualification: Vitnemål vidergaende opplaering

    AAA: 5 overall

    AAB: 4.7 overall

    ABB: 4.3 overall

    BBB: 4 overall

  • Poland

    Qualification: New Polish Matura

    AAA: 85% in three Advanced Level subjects

    AAB: 80% in three Advanced Level subjects

    ABB: 75% in three Advanced Level subjects

    BBB: 70% in three Advanced Level subjects

  • Portugal

    Qualification: Diploma de Ensino Secundario

    AAA: overall 18.5/20

    AAB: overall 18/20

    ABB: overall 17.5/20

    BBB: 17/20

  • Romania

    Qualification: Diploma de Bacalaureat

    AAA: 9.5 overall

    AAB: 9 overall

    ABB: 8.5 overall

    BBB: 8 overall

  • Singapore

    Qualification: Polytechnic Diploma (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek and Republic Polytechnic)

    AAA: GPA 3.7

    AAB: GPA 3.5

    ABB: GPA 3.3

    BBB: GPA 3.1

  • Slovakia

    Qualification: Maturitná skúška / Maturita / Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške

    AAA: four subjects at 1, 1, 1, 2

    AAB: four subjects at 1, 1, 2, 2

    ABB: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2

    BBB: four subjects at 2, 2, 2, 2

  • South Africa

    Qualification: National Senior Certificate

    AAA: 77776

    AAB: 77766

    ABB: 77666

    BBB: 76666

  • Spain

    Qualification: Curso de Orientación Universitaria / Título de Bachillerato

    AAA: 8.5 (sobresaliente)

    AAB: 8

    ABB: 7.5

    BBB: 7 (notable)

  • Sweden

    Qualification: Slutbetyg / Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan

    AAA: A in 1800 credits and no grades below D / 18.5 / mainly A overall (MVG)

    AAB: A in 1500 credits and no grades below D / 18.5 / mainly A overall (MVG/VG)

    ABB: A in 1200 credits and no grades below D / 18 / mainly B overall (MVG/VG)

    BBB: B in 2000 credits and no grades below D / 17.5 / mainly B overall (MVG/VG)

  • Switzerland

    Qualification: Federal Maturity Certificate

    AAA: 5

    AAB: 4.7

    ABB: 4.5

    BBB: 4.3

  • Tanzania

    Qualification: Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education

    AAA: ACSE with AAA in 3 principle subjects

    AAB: ACSE with AAB in 3 principle subjects

    ABB: ACSE with BBB in 3 principle subjects

    BBB: ACSE with BBB in 3 principle subjects

  • Trinidad and Tobago

    Qualification: CAPE

    AAA: Six CAPE units with grade 1 (+two double-unit courses = grade 1)

    AAB: Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses = grade 2)

    ABB: Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses)

    BBB: Six CAPE units with grade 3 (+two double-unit courses)

  • Turkey

    Qualification: Lise Diplomasi

    AAA: 82-87% (depending on high school)

    AAB: 80-85% (depending on high school)

    ABB: 78-83% (depending on high school)

    BBB: 76-81% (depending on high school)

  • USA

    Qualification: High School Diploma plus ACT, SAT, or AP exams

    AAA:

    • High School Diploma GPA 3.2 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29 and 2 AP's at 5,5/ 3 AP's at 5,4,4
      or
    • High School Diploma GPA of 3.4 plus 2 AP's at 5,5/ 3 AP's at 5,4,4
      or
    • High School Diploma of 3.6 plus SAT 1380 or ACT 30
      or
    • 2-year Associate degree GPA 3.3

    AAB: 

    • High School Diploma GPA 3.2 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29 and 2 AP's at 5,4/ 3 AP's at 5,4,4
      or
    • High School Diploma GPA of 3.4 plus 2 AP's at 5,4 or 3 AP's at 5,4,4
      or
    • High School Diploma GPA of 3.5 plus SAT 1340 or ACT 30
      or
    • 2-year Associate degree GPA 3.2

    ABB: 

    • High School Diploma GPA 3.0 plus SAT 1280 or ACT 27 and 2 AP's at 4,4
      or

    • High School Diploma GPA of 3.2 plus 2 AP's at 4,4
      or

    • High School Diploma GPA 3.4 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29
      or

    • 2-year Associate degree GPA 3.1

    BBB: 

    • High School Diploma GPA 3.0 plus SAT 1260 or ACT 26 and 2 AP's at 4,4
      or

    • High School Diploma GPA 3.2 plus 2 AP's at 4,4
      or

    • High School Diploma GPA of 3.4 plus SAT 1280 or ACT 28
      or

    • 2-year Associate degree GPA 3.0