CCSS | Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies
Select Language
English 国语 Deutsch 한국어/조선말 日本語 Русский Espaņol ภาษาไทย Italiano Franįais العربية Latviešu Magyar Dutch
  • Request Prospectus
  • Apply
  • Fees Calculator
  • Home
  • Courses
  • About
  • Boarding
  • Exam Centre
  • Fees
  • News
  • Alumni
  • Contact
  • Parent Portal
  • Intranet

Qualifications for university


  • Home
  • >
  • Overseas
  • >
  • Qualifications for university
Banner 17

British universities normally expect qualifications at two levels - GCSE and Advanced Level (A-Level), or examinations which the university agrees are equivalent to these (such as the International Baccalaureate).


CCSS offers A-Level and English Language courses, and also GCSE and Pre-IB courses that students normally take before their A-Levels.

Universities will often accept overseas qualifications (such as graduation from secondary school) instead of GCSE. There are only a few overseas secondary school qualifications which British universities accept as being fully equivalent to A-Levels. Although some of the less popular universities may accept a student solely on the basis of overseas qualifications, most will not.

If you tell us what qualifications you have, and what you want to study at university, we can advise you on what universities will ask for.

The better-known UK universities have many applicants to choose from and most will expect students to have good A-Level results. Lesser-known universities sometimes accept students who have taken part in a pre-university Foundation course. However, A-Levels are accepted by all British universities, whereas Foundation courses are only accepted by a more limited number and unlike A-Levels are not a recognised qualification in their own right. This is why CCSS does not offer Foundation courses which limit university choice and are not a recognised free-standing qualification.

All universities want a recognised qualification in English Language. There are several which they will accept: GCSE, IGCSE, the NEAB Test, the Cambridge Proficiency exam, IELTS, etc. Other English Language exams, such as TOEFL, are accepted by some but not all universities.

CCSS has an excellent record of good marks in IELTS exams. The IELTS exam is marked out of 9. Most universities will accept a mark of 6.5, some accept 6.0, and a few require 7.0, especially for courses such as Law which require very good English.

In This Section

  • Why study in the UK
  • Qualifications for university
  • Student Visas
  • Agents

The College in Motion

  • College videos
  • Student video profiles
  • Student video testimonials
  • Student photo gallery

News

  • New specialist staff for CCSS are just the job

    We have recently appointed a number of new staff in non-teaching roles. More

  • CCSS launches Cambridge-e

    CCSS is partnering up with a number of other independent schools in the Eastern region to offer a new and innovate initiative to teach a range of GCSE students an additional subject over one year. More


We are a member of these professional associations:

  • Independent Schools Council
  • Council for Indepedent Further Education
  • Education UK
  • Independent Schools Association
  • Boarding Schools Association
  • Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students

{ Connect }

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales.

Company Registration Number: 3959159

Charity Registration Number: 1084601

DfE Registration Number: 873-6021

Registered Office: 1 Salisbury Villas, Station Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2JF.

  • Privacy / Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
  • FAQs
  • Fees
© 2012 Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies. All Rights Resevered.

Cookies on the CCSS website:

CCSS has updated its Privacy policy in compliance with EU Cookie Legislation. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best possible experience on our website. To find out more about the cookies we use and why, see our Privacy policy.

Accept Cookies