What are the qualifications used for university entrance?

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A-levels are the main way universities assess readiness for entry because they provide in-depth, subject-specific study over the final two years of secondary education. Universities set offers based on achieving particular grades in selected subjects, which mirrors the way degree courses are taught and assessed. This depth in a few chosen subjects shows you’re prepared for the rigour of higher-level study.

GCSEs, taken at 16, show broad achievement across many subjects, and while they’re important groundwork and can influence progression, they aren’t usually enough on their own to gain admission to most university programs. The IB Diploma is another recognized route, offering a broader curriculum, and universities will convert its points to entry requirements. BTECs are more vocational and can lead to university study in related fields, but many courses still prefer A-levels or require them in combination with BTECs.

So the standard route most universities expect for traditional entry is A-levels, with grades in the chosen subjects guiding conditional offers.