Coming to study from Taiwan

The University of Southampton has an active and growing Taiwanese student community. 

Learn more about the requirements you'll need to join us and access other resources for Taiwanese students.

Entry qualification equivalencies for Taiwanese students

Find out the grades and academic qualifications (or their equivalents) that you'll need 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. 

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 all of the following: 

  • a Senior High School Leaving Certificate
  • an overall average grade of 80%
  • a minimum of 80% in subjects relevant to the undergraduate course you've chosen

Science Foundation Year

The Science Foundation Year prepares you to take many of our science undergraduate degrees (but not medicine).

To apply for, it you need all of the following: 

  • a Senior High School Leaving Certificate
  • an overall average grade of 80%
  • a minimum of 80% in subjects relevant to the undergraduate course you've chosen

OnCampus undergraduate foundation programme

The OnCampus undergraduate foundation programmes are run by our partner and prepare international students for a variety of degrees, including:

  • 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 course if you complete the programme successfully.

To apply for one of these foundation programmes, you need all of the following: 

  • a Senior High School Leaving Certificate
  • an overall average grade of 70% in at least 5 subjects
  • a minimum of 75% in subjects relevant to the undergraduate course you've chosen

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

To apply for one, you need all of the following: 

  • to have completed an approved foundation programme
  • a Senior High School Certificate
  • high grades in UK A levels that you studied for in Taiwan 

You must also have completed your first year studying an appropriate degree at a Taiwanese university, with a minimum grade of between: 

  • 3.0 and 3.25 out of a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), or
  • 75% and 80% 

This will depend on the awarding institution.

To find out the exact minimum grade, which will depend on which institution awarded your degree, submit a question to our International Office team.

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 study skills and research methods.

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

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 need a minimum grade of: 

  • between 3.0 and 3.25 out of a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), or
  • between 75% and 80% 

To find out the exact minimum grade, which will depend on which institution awarded your degree, submit a question to our International Office team.

To study for a PhD or research degree with us, you usually need both:

  • a 2:1 undergraduate honours degree and a master's degree with merit, awarded by a recognised university
  • a strong research proposal

Other resources for Taiwanese students