Coming to study from Bahrain

The University of Southampton welcomes students from Bahrain. 

Learn more about the requirements you'll need to study with us, plus access other resources for Bahraini students.

Entry qualification equivalencies for Bahraini students

Find out the Bahraini equivalents to the grades and academic qualifications required to study with us in the UK. These will depend on what level of study you're applying for.
 

You will also need to meet English language requirements and have your student visa in place.

If you want to take an undergraduate course with us but do not yet have the qualifications needed to apply, we may offer a foundation course that will enable you to qualify and secure a place. 

The Bahraini equivalents for their entry requirements will depend on which of these one-year intensive introductions you apply for.  

Foundation year for engineering, maths or physics

The Foundation year for engineering, maths or physics prepares you to take up one of 19 undergraduate degrees in engineering, maths or physics.

To apply for it you need:

  • a Tawjahiya national Senior High School Certificate
  • with 85% overall
  • and at least 85% or more in maths and physics

Science Foundation Year

The Science Foundation Year prepares you to take many of our science undergraduate degrees.

To apply for it you need:

  • a Tawjahiya national Senior High School Certificate
  • with 85% overall
  • and at least 85% or more in subjects relevant to your chosen undergraduate degree

Please note, the Science Foundation Year does not progress to an undergraduate degree in Medicine.

OnCampus undergraduate foundation programmes

The OnCampus undergraduate foundation programmes prepare international students for degrees in:

  • Art and design
  • Business, economics, finance and management
  • Humanities and social sciences
  • Engineering and physical sciences
  • Life sciences


They include English language study and will secure you a place on your chosen degree if you complete the foundation programme successfully.

To apply for one of these foundation programmes you need:

  • a Tawjahiya national Senior High School Certificate
  • with 85% overall
  • and at least 85% or more in subjects relevant to your chosen undergraduate degree

Most of our undergraduate degrees take 3 years to complete full time and award a bachelor’s degree in the field you study.

To study with us at the undergraduate level, you'll need one of the following, with a minimum grade or score dependent on the course you're applying for:  

  • UK A levels
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB) score of between 28 and 38 points
  • a recognised foundation course taken in the UK, Australia and Canada

See your course page for the exact requirements you'll need to meet.

The OnCampus pre-master's programmes prepare international students for studying at the master’s degree level. They take place over 2 semesters and focus on improving English language, study and research skills.

If you have a UK 2:2 degree equivalent but need a 2:1, successfully completing a programme will secure you a place on your chosen degree.

To apply for a pre-master's programme, you need:

  • English language skills from 5.0 IELTS or equivalent (with no single element less than 5.0)

Our postgraduate taught degrees involve more advanced study and usually take 1 year, depending on the course. Degrees awarded include master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificates.

To apply, you'll need a bachelor's degree awarded by a recognised university. 

Depending on which course you apply for, your minimum grade requirement will be a:

  • first class UK degree equivalent, with a grade point average (GPA) of3.65 out of 4.0, or 84%
  • UK 2:1 degree equivalent, with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.64, or between 76% and 83.9%

If you do not have a 2:1 degree equivalent, you may be considered if you have:

  • a GPA of 2.80 out of 4.0
  • 2 years work experience 

See your course page for the exact requirement.

To study for a PhD or research degree with us, you need all of the following:

  • an undergraduate honours degree with at least a 2:1
  • a master's degree with merit
  • a strong research proposal

Qualifying degrees must have been awarded by a recognised university.

Other resources for Bahraini students

Get in touch

Talk to our team

We're here 9am to 5pm UK time to answer any questions you have, including about equivalencies for your course.

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