Summary table of admissions requirements
The table below provides an overview of the A-level grade and subject requirements for our courses, as well as any written work or admissions tests you must complete as part of your application. For full details of the admissions requirements for your chosen course, please visit the course page.
Equivalent qualifications
Most of our applicants are expecting to meet our entrance qualifications with A-levels but we also accept equivalent qualifications:
- Equivalent requirements for Advanced Highers and International Baccalaureate can be found on the course pages.
- Equivalent requirements for accepted international qualifications can be found on the international qualifications page.
- Information on other UK qualifications is also available.
Admissions requirements
● Required –
■ Recommended –
▲ Helpful – may be useful on course
| Course | Entrance qualifications (at A-level or equivalent) | Subject choices | Test | Written work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archaeology and Anthropology | AAA | ▲ Combination of arts and science subjects | None | Two pieces |
| Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | AAA | ▲ A language Mastering the ability to handwrite is a mandatory core element for Japanese, Chinese and Korean. | None | Two pieces |
| Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) | A*AA including Chemistry and another science or Maths, with the A* in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology (or a very closely related subject) | ● Chemistry and another science or Maths ■ Maths ▲ Biology (beyond GCSE or equivalent) | None | None |
| Biology | A*AA (with the A* in a science or Maths) | ● Biology and either Chemistry, Physics or Maths | None | None |
| Biomedical Sciences | A*AA excluding Critical Thinking and Thinking Skills | ● Two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics | ESAT | None |
| Chemistry | A*A*A (with both A*s in science subjects and/or Maths) | ● Chemistry and Maths ■ Another science or Further Maths | None | None |
| Classical Archaeology and Ancient History | AAA | ▲ A classical language, Classical Civilisation or Ancient History | None | Two pieces |
| Classics | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) | ▲ Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or a modern language | None | Two pieces |
| Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) | ▲ Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or a modern language | None | Two pieces |
| Classics and English | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) | ● English Literature or English Language and Literature ▲ Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or a modern language | None | Two pieces |
| Classics and Modern Languages | AAA (with As in Latin and Greek if taken) | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) ▲ Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History | None | One piece |
| Computer Science | A*AA including Maths, with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science | ● Maths ■ Further Maths | TMUA | None |
| Computer Science and Philosophy | A*AA, including Maths, with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science | ● Maths ■ Further Maths | TMUA | None |
| Earth Sciences (Geology) | A*AA/AAAA | ● Maths, plus Chemistry or Physics ■ Chemistry or Physics ▲ Biology, Geology, Further Maths | None | None |
| Economics and Management | A*AA (with Maths at A or A*) | ●Maths | TARA | None |
| Engineering Science | A*A*A (with the A*s in Maths, Further Maths or Physics) | ● Maths and Physics ■ Maths Mechanics modules ▲ Further Maths | ESAT | None |
| English Language and Literature | AAA | ● English Literature or English Language and Literature ▲ A language, History | None | One piece |
| English and Modern Languages | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) and English Literature or English Language and Literature | None | One piece |
| European and Middle Eastern Languages | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) | None | None |
| Fine Art | AAA or AAB (for post-A-level applicants on an Art Foundation course) | ■ Art | None | Digital portfolio (but no written work submission required) |
| Foundation Year (Chemistry, Engineering and Materials Science) | AAB | ● For Chemistry: Chemistry and Mathematics ● For Engineering: Physics and Mathematics ● For Materials Science: Physics and Mathematics. GCSE Chemistry is also required. Chemistry at A Level is highly recommended. | None | None |
| Foundation Year (Humanities) | BBB | ● B in your most relevant subject | None | One piece |
| Foundation Year (Law) | BBB | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | None | None |
| Foundation Year (PPE) | BBB | ■ Maths ▲ History | None | None |
| Geography | A*AA | ■ Geography | None | None |
| History | AAA | ■ History | None | One piece |
| History (Ancient and Modern) | AAA | ■ History ▲ A classical language, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History | None | One piece |
| History and Economics | AAA | ■ History, Maths | TARA | One piece (History) |
| History and English | AAA | ● English Literature or English Language and Literature ■ History | None | Two pieces |
| History and Modern Languages | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) ■ History | None | One piece |
| History and Politics | AAA | ■ History ▲ Sociology, Politics, Government and Politics | TARA (tbc) | One piece (History) |
| History of Art | AAA | ● A subject involving essay writing ▲ History of Art, Fine Art, History, English, a language | None | One piece, one response |
| Human Sciences | AAA | ▲ Biology, Maths | TARA | None |
| Law (Jurisprudence) | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | LNAT | None |
| Law with Law Studies in Europe | AAA | ● A relevant modern language (not required for European Law) ▲ A subject involving essay writing | LNAT | None |
| Materials Science | A*AA (with the A* in Maths, Physics or Chemistry) | ● Maths and Physics ■ Chemistry ▲ Further Maths, Design and Technology (Product Design) | None | None |
| Mathematics | A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Further Maths if taken | ● Maths ■ Further Maths | TMUA | None |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | A*AA (with A*A in Maths and Further Maths (FM) or A* in Maths if FM is not taken) | ● Maths ■ Further Maths | TMUA | None |
| Mathematics and Philosophy | A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Further Maths if taken | ● Maths ■ Further Maths | TMUA | None |
| Mathematics and Statistics | A*A*A with the A*s in Maths and Further Maths if taken | ● Maths ■ Further Maths | TMUA | None |
| Medicine | A*AA (excluding Critical Thinking and Thinking Skills) | ● Chemistry with either Maths, Further Maths, Biology or Physics | UCAT | None |
| Modern Languages | AAA | ● One or more modern languages (depending on course choice) | None | None |
| Modern Languages and Linguistics | AAA | ● A modern language (depending on course choice) ▲ English Language, Maths, a science or any other language | None | None |
| Music | AAA | ● Music A-level or Music Theory Grade 7 or above (see Music page for further details) | Performance piece | None |
| Philosophy and Modern Languages | AAA | ● One or more modern languages (depending on course choice) | None | Three pieces (two essays and one piece of harmony or counterpoint) |
| Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) | AAA | ■ Maths ▲ History | TARA | None |
| Philosophy and Theology | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | None | None |
| Physics | A*AA (with the A* in Physics, Maths or Further Maths) | ● Physics and Maths ■ Maths Mechanics modules ▲ Further Maths | ESAT | One piece |
| Physics and Philosophy | A*AA (with the A*in Physics, Maths or Further Maths) | ● Physics and Maths ■ Maths Mechanics modules ▲ Further Maths | ESAT | None |
| Psychology (Experimental) | A*AA | ■ One or more science subjects (including Psychology) or Maths | TARA | None |
| Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics | A*AA | ■ For Psychology: one or more science subjects (including Psychology) or Maths ▲ For Linguistics: English Language, Maths, a science or any other language | TARA | None |
| Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing, a language | None | None |
| Theology and Religion | AAA | ▲ A subject involving essay writing | None | One piece |
For full details of the admissions requirements for your chosen course and how to apply, please visit the course page.
Related content
Choosing the right course is crucial to enjoying your time at university so take time to really explore your options, even if you think you know what you want to study. Admissions tutors are looking for students who show genuine motivation for their subject and make the most of the exceptional learning opportunities at Oxford.