UK

There are many reasons to apply to study at undergraduate level in the UK. The quality of UK education is internationally recognised by employers, making it a popular choice for many international students. The UK is also renowned for the excellence of its research and teaching.

The video below provides an insight into the experience of three Cambridge learners who are now studying at the University of Manchester and how their Cambridge qualifications helped them prepare for studying in the UK.

Destination brochures and factsheets

Our Destination brochures and factsheets below provide helpful information about applying to study in the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Destination UK brochure (PDF, 449KB)
Destination Wales factsheet (PDF, 171KB)
Destination Scotland factsheet (PDF, 108KB)
Destination Northern Ireland factsheet (PDF, 159KB)

Applying with Cambridge qualifications

All students wishing to apply to UK universities must do so through the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which is a centralised admissions service. The video below provides a useful guide to applying through UCAS with your Cambridge qualifications.

UCAS provides international guides that help to explain how to make a university application in the UK. These guides have been translated into a number of different languages which you can download from the UCAS website.

You can also find out about the Cambridge International A Level entry requirements for specific UK university courses by using the UCAS course search service.

In the podcast below, we’re joined by Mark Wilson, Customer Experience Manager at UCAS to discuss what happens on results day for students applying to UK universities. Things are a little different in 2020, however, universities are expecting to welcome new students in September, either online or on campus. We discuss what to do to confirm your place, how to look at alternative options if you decide to change your course and discover it’s not too late to apply for a UK university place this year.

Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level

Many universities require a combination of Cambridge International A Levels and Cambridge IGCSEs/O Levels to meet their entry requirements.

UK NARIC, the national agency in the UK for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, has carried out an independent benchmarking study of Cambridge IGCSE and found it to be comparable to the standard of UK GCSE.

This means students can be confident that their Cambridge IGCSE qualifications are accepted as equivalent to UK GCSEs by leading universities both in the UK and around the world.

Cambridge O Level is equivalent to the IGCSE.

Cambridge International AS & A Level

Cambridge International AS & A Levels are equivalent to the AS & A Levels taken by students in the UK, and are accepted for entrance to UK universities in the same way as the UK A Levels. 

Cambridge Pre-U

Many UK universities accept Cambridge Pre-U as equivalent to other Level 3 qualifications. The Russell Group, which represents leading UK universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, Bristol and UCL, has welcomed the academic rigour of these qualifications.

What is Cambridge Pre-U? A guide for employers (PDF, 220KB)

What is Cambridge Pre-U? A guide for admissions staff (PDF, 221KB)

University of Cambridge admissions assessments

The University of Cambridge has introduced a system of common format written admission assessments for applicants, specifically tailored to each subject as part of the application process. This is in addition to the Cambridge International A level or Cambridge Pre-U qualifications. More information can be found in the Admissions assessments (PDF, 198KB) guidance.

Information for students requiring Tier 4 visas

A significant number of UK universities continue to accept Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500/0522) and Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510/0511) even though these qualifications do not appear on the Home Office’s approved list of English language tests for immigration purposes. However, there are some UK universities which will only accept English language tests from the Home Office’s list.

UK universities have the right to set their own English language entry requirements with regard to Tier 4 visas. This means they can choose their own method of assessing a student’s English language competence as long as the student is applying to follow a full-time course at undergraduate degree level or above. Further information can be found on the Government's Policy Guidance document.

The details of English language requirements can be found on each university’s website. It is essential that you check your chosen university’s requirements before making your UCAS application.

Certifying statement for CEFR

Cambridge International offers the following support to students who require evidence of their competence in English as part of their visa application to study in the UK:

• You can apply to us for a Certifying Statement for CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This statement provides evidence of your proficiency in all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking. It gives a breakdown of your Cambridge IGCSE English Language results into component grades and corresponding levels according to the CEFR.
• You can download the documents below which give the CEFR levels by grade and skill for each of our Cambridge IGCSE English language qualifications. You can use the relevant document, alongside your results certificate, and a copy of your component grades (available from your school), to support your student visa application.

Please read carefully and then complete the application form to apply for a Certifying Statement for CEFR (PDF, 409KB)

CEFR levels for Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510/0511) (PDF, 57KB)

CEFR levels for Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500/0522) (PDF, 73KB)

Visit the Home Office website for guidance on how to apply for a Tier 4 visa

Visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs to find out more about applying for a Tier 4 visa

Guidance for learners applying through UCAS with Cambridge International A Levels (PDF, 345KB)

Instructions for students applying in the UK through UCAS (IGCSE) (PDF, 930KB)

Recognition search

Find out which universities in the UK recognise Cambridge qualifications by searching our recognitions database. Please always check directly with your target institution and/or study destination for up-to-date admissions requirements and policies for local and international students.