Undergraduate entry requirements

Our standard A-level requirements are passes in three full A-level subjects (preferably directly relevant to the subject you intend to study). The exact grade and subject requirements will be listed on the individual programme pages. Some programmes may have additional requirements that will also need to be met.

We will take AS-levels into consideration where they’re in a relevant subject but we will not routinely base offers on these qualifications.

We welcome students studying on an Access to HE Diploma. Our typical offer is 45 Level 3 credits with 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit or Pass. Some programmes will differ from this typical offer so you must check the programme you are applying for the exact requirements.

If your college offers a Laser or OCN Access Diploma, then you may be interested in our progression agreements.

Laser Progression Agreement 2022 (PDF)

OCN Progression Agreement 2022 (PDF)

We consider the BTEC Extended Diploma (taken from 2010) or National Extended Diploma (from 2016) for entry to our undergraduate programmes. We also consider a combination of BTEC diplomas with other Level 3 qualifications, for example:

• BTEC Level 3 Diploma/National Diploma with one A-level
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate with two A-levels

You can find our entry requirements for the BTEC Diploma on our programme pages. If you have taken the BTEC Diploma prior to 2010, please contact our Admissions team who can advise on equivalency.

We will consider the BTEC International Level 3 Extended Diploma for entry to our undergraduate degree programmes. We will also consider a combination of BTEC International Level 3 Diplomas with other Level 3 qualifications such as International A Levels.

The grade requirements will be the same as standard UK BTECs.

Some of our degree programmes will accept the CACHE Extended Diploma with a minimum of grade B. We will only be able to consider this qualification for degrees in relevant subject areas.

We accept Cambridge International A-levels as equivalent to UK A-levels.

We will accept the Cambridge Pre-U Certificate – Principal at grade M2 and the Cambridge Pre-U Certificate in Global Perspectives and Independent Research at grade M2 as being equivalent to an A-level grade B.

We consider the following Cambridge Technical qualifications:

• CTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
• CTEC Level 3 Diploma with one A-level
• CTEC Level 3 Subsidiary/Introductory Diploma with two A-levels

 
Our CTEC grade requirements will be the same as our BTEC requirements.

The City and Guilds NVQ will not be considered in place of our standard Level 3 entry requirements. Typically, applicants will be expected to have studied other Level 3 qualifications such as the BTEC Extended Diploma or A-levels.

Core Maths qualifications will be looked upon favourably for degrees where there is a maths requirement, but we cannot accept it in lieu of a full A-level.

We accept the European Baccalaureate as meeting A-level requirements where an overall grade of 75 or above is achieved. We will also look for grade 8 in individual subjects most relevant to the programme being applied for.

For GCSE equivalence we will look at your Year 6 grades with at least 7.5 for GCSE grade C/4 requirements.

We welcome applicants from across the globe who are studying the IB Diploma. Our offers usually specify certain grades in three subjects at Higher Level, in addition to an overall point score for the whole Diploma. Our typical IB offer is 33 points overall with Higher Level 655.

We will consider a standalone Higher Level subject when studied in conjunction with another level 3 qualification (such as A-levels or BTECs).

New IB Mathematics requirements
From Summer 2019, Year 11 students studying IB Mathematics can choose either the Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation pathway, with first awards to come in 2021.

Where Maths is required at GCSE level, either pathway at Standard or Higher level would be adequate preparation for the programme.

For the IBCP the entry requirements depend on the vocational training course taken alongside the IB Diploma. Typical combinations include:

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/ National Extended Diploma and completion of the IBCP
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma/National Diploma and one Higher Level subject
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate with two Higher Level subjects

We will usually be asking for Distinctions and Higher Level 5 or 6.

We accept LRN International AS/A-levels as equivalent to UK AS/A-levels.

We welcome the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and we recognise the value of this project in preparing students for higher education.

Applications from candidates who, in addition to appropriate Level 3 qualifications, have completed (or are due to complete) an EPQ may also receive a reduced offer. For example, if the programme requirements are A-level BBB, the typical offer for applicants completing an EPQ would be A-level BBC and grade B in the EPQ. Please note if there are A-level subject requirements we will normally expect a grade B in the relevant subject.

We welcome applicants studying Foundation Year programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK. Foundation Year programmes are considered on a case-by-case basis, and once you submit your application we would recommend emailing a scanned copy of your module/course specification to assist with our assessment.

If you have a minimum of 60 credits in a relevant subject area then we will be able to consider your application. Where a programme has additional requirements such as GCSEs you will also need to meet these requirements.

If you don’t meet these requirements, you might want to consider one of our Integrated degrees with a foundation year.

We accept Scottish Advanced Highers as being equivalent to A-levels. Where A-level Grades of BBB are required, we will accept Grade BBC in the Advanced Highers.

For Scottish Highers, where three A-levels are required, we will accept five Scottish Highers. Grades BBBBC will meet the requirements for an A-level BBB requirement.

Goldsmiths welcomes students holding a T Level qualification applying for undergraduate programmes.

T Level qualifications provide a hybrid of academic rigour and experiential practical application of subject knowledge and students gain a range of skills that will be good preparation for a degree programme.

Each application will be considered on its individual merits. Where the T Level subject area does not directly match the degree programme being applied for, the personal statement and reference will be particularly important in demonstrating interest, enthusiasm and suitability for the subject.

The minimum T Level entry requirement for the majority of our undergraduate programmes will be a Merit.

Further information on T Levels can be found on the UCAS website.

For some programmes, where the subject is relevant, we will consider the UAL Extended Diploma at a minimum grade of Merit.

We welcome applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate alongside two A-levels.

We consider WJEC Applied General qualifications when studied alongside an appropriate Level 3 qualification (such as A-levels).

Typically, applicants will have studied the WJEC Level 3 Applied Extended Diploma in addition to an A-level. The three grades from these two qualifications would correspond with our grade requirements for three A-levels.

International qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications from across the world. If you're unsure as to whether we accept your qualification, please check our country-specific pages.

English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you will need to meet our English language requirements to study with us. These are listed on our programme pages. Your English language qualifications should be less than two years old at the time you start your studies with us.

We usually ask for IELTS because it shows us which areas of your English might need to be improved. However, we also accept a range of other English language qualifications.

If you need additional help to reach our English language requirements then we offer courses that can help. These include Pre-sessional English Language courses, to improve your standard of English in time for your main course of study with us. We also offer International Pathways, which can help prepare you for degree level study at Goldsmiths or another UK institution.

The lists below covers UK and common qualifications taken around the world. For all other international qualifications, we can only accept those that are considered equivalent to GCSE grades C to A* (in the new system grades 4 to 9) by NARIC*. For qualifications that NARIC assesses, if it deems 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’). 

We can accept Functional Skills Level 2 for Social Work courses, but not PGCEs. This is due to each course having differently regulated guidelines.

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. If your programme requires GCSE grade B please contact the Admissions team for more advice on alternative qualifications.

* UK NARIC (National Academic Reconition Information Centre) is part of a Europe-wide network that provides a way to compare academic qualifications. 

Any UK board

• GCSE Mathematics grade C–A* or 4–9
• GCSE Additional Mathematics grade C–A*
• GCE O-level Mathematics (only), grade C–A or 1-3
• CSE Mathematics grade 1
• O-level or AO-level in Additional Mathematics grade C–A
• A-level Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Further Mathematics C–A*

Access to HE (up to 2014)

• ONLY certificates 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 in Maths

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, Maths Made Easy (MME) or Equivalency Testing only with grades C–A* or 4–9

Any UK Board

• GCSE English (Language or Literature), grade C–A* 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)
• A-Level English Language, English Literature or English grade C–A*

Access to HE (up to 2014)

• ONLY 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 C–A* or 4-9

Any UK board

The following GCSEs in Science are accepted with grades C–A* 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.
• A-level Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics grade C–A*

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 C–A* or 4-9

OCR

• OCR National Award in Science = 2 GCSE
• OCR National Certificate in Science = 4 GCSE