Coming to study from Barbados

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

They include: 

• the Foundation year for engineering, maths or physics, which prepares you to take up one of 19 undergraduate degrees in engineering, maths or physics
• the Science Foundation Year, which prepares you to take many of our science undergraduate degrees
• the OnCampus undergraduate foundation programmes, which are run by our partner and prepare international students for a variety of degrees, including art, business, the humanities, science, engineering and more 

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 undergraduate level, you need one of the following, with a minimum grade dependent on which course you're applying for:

• high grades in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
• high grades in UK A levels
• an International Baccalaureate (IB) score of between 28 and 38 points
• high grades in an associate degree from Barbados Community College

Barbadian equivalents to UK A-levels

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

Overall equivalency grades are:

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination

• A*AA: grade 1 in all six units
• AAA: grade 1 in all six units
• AAB: grade 1 in four units and grade 2 in two units
• ABB: grade 1 in two units and grade 2 in four units
• BBB: grade 2 in all six units
• BBC: grade 2 in four units and grade 3 in two units
• BCC: grade 2 in two units and grade 3 in four units
• CCC: grade 3 in all six units

Associate degree

• A*AA: a CGPA of 3.9, or at least 90%
• AAA: a CGPA of 3.7, or between 85% and 89%
• AAB: a CGPA of 3.5, or between 80% and 84%
• ABB: a CGPA of 3.0, or between 75% and 79%

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 study with us at the postgraduate level, you need one of the following degrees:

• a bachelor's degree with good grades
• an equivalent professional qualification approved by the University

Qualifying degrees must be awarded by a recognised Caribbean university.

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

• first class UK degree equivalent, with a GPA of between 3.6 and 4.3
• UK 2:1 degree equivalent, with a GPA of between 3.0 and 3.59
• UK 2:2 degree equivalent, with a GPA of between 2.50 and 2.99

See your course page for the exact requirement.

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

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

Qualifying degrees must have been awarded by a recognised university.