Entry Requirements and Application Procedure

This page lists our standard entry requirements for British and international students. If you have other qualifications and would like to find out whether you are eligible for entry into our undergraduate degree courses, please feel free to contact us via the email address below. Please make sure that you give us all information regarding your qualifications, broken down into the single subjects you studied, as well as the grades you achieved in each subject.

Application is through UCAS - http://www.ucas.com.

GCE A levels

Our standard offer is AAB.

A core requirement is an A level in Mathematics (except ITMB), and we expect to see GCSE grade C in English as a minimum before offering a place. ITMB requires AAB plus GCSE grade A in Mathematics. You may count General Studies as one of your A level subjects. Guidance on A level subject requirements is shown at http://www.shef.ac.uk/undergraduate/policies/alevel

We have some flexibility and will consider individual cases, for instance where you already have your A level results. In case you are not studying mathematics to A level, you might be eligible to take the Foundation Year route to our degrees.

Other UK qualifications

We accept other UK qualifications as an alternative to A levels. Our typical offer for BTEC applicants will be two Distinctions across 12 BTEC units, plus grade B in A level Mathematics. For ITMB our typical offer for BTEC applicants will be two Distinctions across 12 BTEC units, plus grade B in an acceptable A level subject. If you have done an HND or HNC in Computer Studies, Software Engineering or related fields, please contact us for an entry requirement. Please note that HND and HNC students do not qualify for direct entry into the second year.

International qualifications

We accept many international qualifications broadly equivalent to UK A levels. For example, if you are taking the International Baccalaureate we would ask for a minimum of 35 points, including 6 points in higher-level Mathematics.

For an Apolytirion in Greece and in Cyprus, we require a minimum of 18.5, and it must be supplemented by an A level in Mathematics (grade B). If you come from India we would expect to see a Standard XII Certificate at a score of 80% overall in science subjects, including at least 80% in Mathematics. The Pakistan Higher Secondary or Intermediate Certificate is acceptable only if it is supplemented by two GCE A levels, one being A level Mathematics.

For prospective students from other countries, including China, decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. In order to allow for an informed judgement on whether you are eligible for entry into our degree programmes, please send us detailed information about which schools you studied in your country, which subjects you took in the final years and the grades you achieved in these or are predicted to achieve, and whether and with what result you took part in a university entrance exam in your country.

For some nationalities, for example Chinese, it is an advantage if you will have stayed in the United Kingdom for about one year before beginning one of our degree courses. During this time you should have attended a foundation course that includes an English language course, or a foundation course and an English language course. If you are an international student currently attending a foundation year elsewhere in the UK, please make sure that this course is kite-marked and that you inform us about the modules you are taking and what your predicted results are.

Every student has to satisfy the University's English language requirement which is grade C or better in GCSE level English. Alternatively, it is sufficient to pass the IELTS with 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each component. A further list of acceptable English language qualification may be found at http://www.shef.ac.uk/undergraduate/policies/englang.html

Maths requirement for CS/Maths dual courses

We would like to see grade A in A level Mathematics for entry onto CS/Maths dual courses. If you are an International Baccalaureate student, the requirement will include 6 points in higher-level Mathematics.

For students interested in a Foundation Year

If you have not studied Mathematics to A level standard but otherwise satisfy our entry requirements, we can still consider you for entry into our degree programmes a with Foundation Year. The objective of the Foundation Year is for each student to develop a high level of knowledge in mathematics and fundamental science at the equivalent of A level. The subjects studied during the Foundation Year are Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. One of Physics and Chemistry may be replaced with modules offered by the Institute of Lifelong Learning (TILL). A student must pass all subjects to progress onto our degree programmes.

Information for mature applicants

We look favourably at applications from mature students who do not offer one of the standard qualifications mentioned above. We may be able to accept certain qualifications you obtained in your current professional career towards meeting our entry requirements. To find out more, please contact us via the email address below with your qualification details. If you have been out of school for a considerable amount of time, you might want to consider our Foundation Year. This will give you the opportunity to revise important A level material before entering the actual degree course.