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. Please note that actual offers may differ slightly.

Year 2 entry

We consider transfers to Year 2 of our programmes on a case by case basis. Applications must be submitted via UCAS, indicating Year 2 as the point of entry. Please outline clearly in your personal statement the reasons for requesting the transfer. You must meet the following entry requirements:

• Meet the standard entry requirements for Year 1 entry; and
• Be on track to achieve, or have achieved a 2:1 in your first year of studies; and
• Be covering, or have covered the equivalent content of the SOAS Year 1 core modules of the degree you wish to transfer to.

We will require a suitable academic reference from your current university, an interim transcript and evidence of your completed Level 3 qualifications to assess your application. Please note that all decisions are made at the discretion of the academic department and admission is not guaranteed even if you meet the entry requirements.

Please note that transfers to Year 3 are not permitted under any circumstances.

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

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, Level 3 BTEC qualifications and other non-standard qualifications (including Foundation Years), 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)

• 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, 90% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

  AAB: Overall grade of 8-10, 85% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

  ABB: Overall grade of 7, 80% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

  BBB: Overall grade of 7, 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