GCSE Accepted Equivalencies
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The list below covers UK and common International qualifications. For all other international qualifications, we can only accept those that are considered GCSE A*-C (or under the new system 4-9) by ECCTIS. For qualifications that ECCTIS assess, if they deem English to be studied as a ‘Second Language’ then we cannot accept it (please note, MOST non-UK English qualifications are studied as a ‘Second Language’). If you are an international student, you may find it helpful to apply for a Statement of Comparability from UK ENIC. PGCE students may be able to apply for this for free by speaking to Get into Teaching.
We can accept Functional Skills Level 2 for Social Work courses, but not PGCEs, this is due to each course having differently regulated guidelines.
There are certain subjects that we cannot accept as being comparable to the GCSE curriculum. These include Applied Science and Agricultural Science. If the programme you are applying for requires GCSE Science, you will need to obtain an alternative qualification from the list below before the start of the programme.
Any qualifications not listed below are unlikely to be acceptable. The most common qualifications we receive that we can NOT accept are: Non-UK English qualifications, Access to HE modules, English tests such as IELTS and university modules.
Please note: the below qualifications are at least comparable to GCSE Grade C and if your programme requires GCSE Grade B please contact the Admissions team for more advice on the grade required.
Any UK Board
- Level 1/2 Certificate in English
- GCSE English (Language or Literature), grade A*-C or 4-9
- O Level English, grade A-C or 1-3
- CSE English, English language or English studies, grade 1
Scottish Qualifications Authority
- National 5, Intermediate 2, Skills for Work National 5
- Standard Grade – Credit Level (Grades 1-2)
Access to HE (up to 2014)
- ONLY if they have a certificate stating ‘GCSE Equivalence’. We cannot accept individual modules if they do not have a certificate stating ‘GCSE Equivalence’ in the subject. Access to HE awards from 2014 onwards do not include GCSE equivalence.
Irish Republic Awards
- In or after 1975 - Irish Leaving Certificate with the subject ‘English Language’ at grade C or
above (Ordinary Level) or at grade D or above (Higher Level)
European Baccalaureate
- A score of 6/10 or higher in English
International Baccalaureate
- English grade 4 or above at Standard Level
- English ‘passed’ at Higher Level
- IB Middle Years Programme Level 4
IGCSE
- IGCSE in English Language
GCSE English Equivalency Test
- A Star Teachers or Equivalency Testing only with grades A*-C or 4-9
Any UK board
- Level 1/2 Certificate in Mathematics
- GCSE Mathematics grade A*-C or 4-9
- GCSE Additional Mathematics grade A*-C
- GCE O-Level Mathematics (only), grade A-C or 1-3
- CSE Mathematics grade 1
- O-Level or AO-Level in Additional Mathematics grade A-C
Access to HE (up to 2014)
- ONLY if they have a certificate stating 'GCSE Equivalence'. We cannot accept individual modules if they do not have a certificate stating 'GCSE Equivalence' in the subject. Access to HE awards from 2014 onwards do not include GCSE equivalence.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
- National 5, Intermediate 2, Skills for Work National 5
- Standard Grade – Credit Level (Grades 1-2)
Irish Republic Awards
- In or after 1975 - Irish Leaving Certificate with the subject 'Mathematics' at grade C or
above (Ordinary Level) or at grade D or above (Higher Level)
European Baccalaureate
- A score of 6/10 or higher is acceptable in place of GCSE grade C
International Baccalaureate
- Maths grade 4 or above at Standard Level
- Maths 'passed' at Higher Level
- IB Middle Years Programme Level 4
BTEC/TEC/BEC
- Higher National Certificate or Diploma Award in Mathematics
- Any National Certificate or National Diploma Award that incorporates a pass with Merit or
Distinction in Mathematics at Level 2 or higher
IGCSE
- IGCSE in Mathematics
GCSE Mathematics Equivalency Test
- A Star Teachers or Equivalency Testing only with grades A*-C or 4-9
Any UK board
- Level 1/2 Certificate in Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics
The following GCSEs in Science are accepted with grades A*-C or 4-9
- GCSE Additional Science
- GCSE Biology
- GCSE Chemistry
- GCSE Further Additional Applied Science
- GCSE Physics
- GCSE Double or Triple award Science
- O Level in Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology at grade A-C or 1-3
- CSE in Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology at grade 1
Access to HE (up to 2014)
- ONLY if they have a certificate stating 'GCSE Equivalence'. We cannot accept individual modules if they do not have a certificate stating 'GCSE Equivalence' in the subject. Access to HE awards from 2014 onwards do not include GCSE equivalence.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
- National 5, Intermediate 2, Skills for Work National 5
- Standard Grade – Credit Level (Grades 1-2)
Irish Republic awards
- In or after 1975 - Irish Leaving Certificate with the subject 'Science', including Agricultural
Science and single Sciences, at grade C or above (Ordinary Level) or at grade D or above
(Higher Level)
European Baccalaureate
- A score of 6/10 or higher is acceptable in place of GCSE grade C
International Baccalaureate
- Science grade 4 or above at Standard Level
- Science 'passed' at Higher Level
- IB Middle Years Programme Level 4
BTEC
- BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Science = 1 GCSE
- BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Science = 2 GCSE
- BTEC Level 2 Diploma Science = 4 GCSE
- BTEC First Certificate in Science = 2 GCSE
- BTEC First Diploma in Science = 4 GCSE
IGCSE
- IGCSE in Science
- IGCSE in Biology, Chemistry or Physics
- IGCSE in Physical Science, Coordinated Sciences or Combined Science
GCSE Science Equivalency Test
- 'A Star Teachers' or 'Equivalency Testing' only with grades A*-C or 4-9
OCR
- OCR National Award in Science = 2 GCSE
- OCR National Certificate in Science = 4 GCSE