GCSE Grade requirements for leading UK unis

GCSEs are just one aspect that universities assess applications on. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic reference, predicted grades and performance in any written work or the written test required for your course. A top performance in any university admissions tests can trump a GCSE grade profile. Would having low GCSE scores prevent you from gaining admission to a top university? No, because there are other aspects of the application that universities look at.

It must be noted that regardless of the subject you wish to study, the majority of university courses look for at least a 4 or 5 grade in English, Maths and perhaps Science. Universities assume a connection between your GCSE and A-level results. They will use GCSE grades as a measure to assess your potential to achieve top grades at A-level. Grades 4 to 6 at GCSE are suggestive of Cs and Ds at A-level – which won't be enough to get into top UK universities. They will also consider which GCSE subjects you have studied and whether they demonstrate suitability for the course. Grades below 7 in a few GCSEs that are not relevant to your degree course is not the end-all though. Admissions tutors will mostly focus on GCSE performance connected to your degree course.

Oxford state that ‘higher grades at GCSE can help to make your application more competitive, and successful applicants typically have a high proportion of A and A* grades or 7, 8 and 9 grades.’ Applicants to LSE need to have 'achieved a strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at 7 to 9, or equivalent.’ Cambridge state ‘most students who apply have at least four or five 7-9s at GCSE. However, there are always exceptions and we don’t require a minimum number of 7-9s at GCSE.’

Oxbridge do consider GCSE grades in context. Where possible, admissions tutors will be made aware of the overall GCSE performance of the school or college where you studied. They will also have information on how you have performed compared with other applicants at similar schools. For example, a GCSE grade 7 in a school with an average GCSE grade of 5, will be more competitive than an applicant with a GCSE grade 7 in a school with an average GCSE grade of 7.

Oxford state that ‘If you feel that you did less well in your GCSEs than you might otherwise have done, because of extenuating circumstances, you may still be able to make a competitive application.’ Cambridge also has a similar mindset. Examples would include disruption caused by a change of school or system, severe discontinuity of teachers, bereavement, and debilitating illness.