Entrance Requirements

Some Cambridge degree courses have pre-requisites: subjects you must have taken to A-level or equivalent in order to apply. These are listed below.

If the course you hope to apply for is not listed here, then there are no formal pre-requisites in terms of specific subjects. You are still advised to check the relevant course page, however, for any subjects recommended as particularly useful or, in some cases, strongly recommended. Not taking 'useful' or 'recommended' subjects will not make you ineligible to apply, but taking them (if available) will strengthen your application and help best prepare you for university study in your chosen subject. Knowing what they are may help you make informed decisions about A-level choices.

All applicants who are studying A-levels or Cambridge Pre-U exams should be taking those qualifications (or a combination of them) in at least three subjects. We also expect three Scottish Advanced Highers where applicable, although realise this option is not available for some Scottish students; in those cases, two Advanced Highers plus one or two additional Highers may be acceptable.

The relevant Cambridge Pre-U or Scottish Advanced Higher is a suitable substitute for A-level in any required subject. Applicants studying for the IB should take required subjects at Higher Level.

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

If you are planning to take a Modern European Language as part of your degree, you must be studying that language to A-level or equivalent; otherwise, no specific requirements.

Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Chemistry, Mathematics, plus another science/mathematics course

Classics (3-year course only)

Latin  (contact us if you have Classical Greek)

Computer Science

Mathematics and, where available, Further Mathematics (if not available at your school, applicants are encouraged to take the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme) plus a physical science

Design

Mathematics

Economics

Mathematics, Further Mathematics (if available)

Engineering

Mathematics, Physics *

English

English Literature (English Literature and Language may be accepted if English Literature is not available)

History

History

History and Modern Languages

History, the language you plan to study (if to be studied from post-A-level)

History and Politics

History

Mathematics

Mathematics, Further Mathematics; a STEP condition will be added to any offers.

Medicine

Chemistry, and normally Mathematics, plus at least one of Biology or Physics

Modern and Medieval Languages

At least one modern foreign language at A-level (or equivalent) is essential and this will be one of the two languages you apply to study.

Music

Music (ABRSM Grade 8 Theory at Merit and above may be accepted as a substitute)

Natural Sciences (Biological)

Mathematics and two other science or mathematics subjects

Natural Sciences (Physical)

Mathematics and two other science or mathematics subjects

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences

Mathematics or Biology

Veterinary Medicine

Chemistry, and at least one of Biology, Mathematics, Physics *

Please note, you must be studying these subjects to A-level (not AS) or equivalent in order to apply; some courses also have subjects that are not obligatory but which most successful applicants will also be taking. Please see individual course pages for details of these.

If you are taking qualifications other than A-levels, Advanced Highers, the IB, or Cambridge Pre-U then you should be studying the subjects listed to the highest level possible under your system. If you are not sure if you meet the requirements, please contact the Academic Office.

* Whilst we will consider applicants who meet these requirements, most successful applications in these subjects will offer at least three science/maths subjects.

We are aware, however, that not all schools or educational systems allow for the combinations of subjects listed here and we can be flexible where the inability to study a required subject or combination of subjects to A-level equivalent is beyond the applicant's control.

Additional note on the use of STEP conditions for subjects other than Mathematics: We may very occasionally attach a STEP condition to offers for other mathematically-demanding subjects, including Computer Science, Economics, or Engineering, although most offers for these subjects will not include such a condition. Where we do set such a condition, it will be for specific reasons and because we believe it to be in the best interests of candidates, taking into account individual considerations. For example, we may consider adding a STEP condition if you would not be sitting A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics, or a qualification including equivalent content to these, in the academic year prior to beginning your degree (even if you have these qualifications already in-hand); or, we may do so if your school-level qualifications do not constitute sufficient preparation on their own for your chosen Cambridge degree. Useful resources for anyone taking STEP are available here and we are happy to provide advice and support as needed for any offer-holders to whom this applies.