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The University of Southampton
ChemistryUndergraduate study

International Entry Requirements

We welcome applications from students who have qualifications that are internationally recognised as being equivalent to GCE A levels or that would provide access to a University degree course in their country of origin. We appreciate that not all applicants offer the same qualifications, and consider each application carefully on its own merits. 

Some of the more common qualifications on which we would make an offer are listed below, along with details of the typical standard offer for our programmes. For detailed programme-specific standard offers, please see the degree programme webpages. If you are applying to us with qualifications other than those listed below, please contact us for further details.

Scottish Highers/ Advanced Highers
AABB (BSc) or AAA (MChem/MSci) at Higher level and AB (BSc) or AA (MChem/MSci) at Advanced Higher, to include Chemistry and one other subject from Physics, Biology or Mathematics.

Irish Leaving Certificate
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A2 (BSc) or A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A1 (MChem/MSci) to include Chemistry and one other subject from Physics, Biology or Mathematics.

European Baccalaureate
Average of 80% (BSc) or 85% (MChem/MSci) across all units of study, with a minimum of 8 in Chemistry and Maths.

International Baccalaureate
BSc: 34 (out of 45) points on the IB scale, including Chemistry at Higher level.

MChem/MSci: 36 (out of 45) on the IB scale, including a 6 in Chemistry and a 6 in one other subject from Physics, Biology or Mathematics at Higher Level.

Foundation, BTEC and Access to Higher Education Courses in Chemistry
We are delighted to receive applications from Foundation Year, BTEC and Access to Higher Education course students who have studied courses with a substantial component in chemistry and who have achieved a high standard in doing so. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and decisions are made on the basis of the particular course that you are studying and by interview (in most cases). Access Course and BTEC students are normally required to study on our Science Foundation Year programme before progressing on to their degree, but exceptional candidates, identified with the aid of a reference request later in the UCAS cycle, may be accepted directly on to the degree programme, subject to a successful formal interview.

Diploma and Advanced Diploma (Overseas applicants)
We are happy to receive applications from students who have taken college/polytechnic diplomas in Chemistry and usually make offers either for entry into the first year or second year. For second year entry, you must have achieved a very high standard in your diploma and your curriculum must have included the majority of the chemistry that we teach in our first year.

Academic Offers for International Qualifications
Our academic offers will be made on the basis of the studies that you have completed in your home country. We use the National Academic Centre for the UK (NARIC) to guide the preparation of our offers. This organisation is a UK Government supported group whose brief is to equate overseas University entrance qualifications with those in the UK. Please contact us to discuss your particular course of study.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language the University requires that you have an appropriate level of qualification to demonstrate your competence in English. The level of qualification should allow you to start an undergraduate programme, without too many language-related difficulties.

If this applies to you, then your offer will include a minimum requirement with respect to English. Commonly, we make our offer on the basis of achievement of an appropriate standard in an internationally recognised English Test.

We require a minimum of:
IELTS – 6.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
TOEFL-iBT – 92 points overall (out of 120), minimum 17 in listening, 20 in speaking, 18 in reading, and 17 in writing.

There are other types of English qualification we may also consider. Please contact us for further details. We do not currently accept any non-internet-based TOEFL qualification.

If you do not have the required standard of English the University may offer you a professional intensive course that would help you reach the required standard.

Get in Touch

Our Admissions team and Chemistry Admissions Tutor are always available to answer your enquiries and to discuss your application and offer in detail. If you have any queries about your qualifications, the course requirements or the application process, please contact our Admissions Team before you submit your application.

Email: ugafnes@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 8310 / +44 (0)23 8059 7755

 

 

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