This page sets out the specific academic qualifications required for entry to the pre-clinical course (A100). Candidates are advised to set out details of their full educational history on the UCAS form.

• English language requirements
• A-levels - GCE (General Certificate of Education)
• Cambridge Pre-U
• Scottish Highers - SCE (Scottish Certificate of Education)
• International Baccalaureate
• European Baccalaureate
• Ireland
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• USA
• Canada
• Australia
• India
• Caribbean
• Other qualifications
  (See also the University listing of international qualifications)

Any candidate unsure of their eligibility for the course should contact the Pre-Clinical Admissions Office (admissions@medschool.ox.ac.uk) for guidance tailored to their circumstances.

Candidates are advised to note a separate page, which sets out the general selection criteria (personal characteristics and academic potential) for this course.

English language requirements

All teaching at the University of Oxford is carried out in English (with the exception of some language-specific teaching) and tutors must be convinced that you have sufficient fluency in written and spoken English to cope with your course from the start. Therefore, all non-native English-speaking applicants (other than those who have been educated in the medium of English language during their two most recent years of study) must satisfy the following requirements:

IELTS: overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components) or
TOEFL (paper based): overall score of 600, with a Test of Written English score of 5.5 or
TOEFL (computer-based): overall score of 250, with Test of Written English score of 5.5 or
TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 100 or
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A or
Cambridge Certificate for Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B or
English Language GCSE, IGCSE or O-level: grade B or
International Baccalaureate Standard level (SL): score of 5 in English or
European Baccalaureate: score of 70% in English

If this is not achieved at the time of application it is likely to form part of any conditional offer in 2009, and must be met by the August preceding entry to the course.

GCE (General Certificate of Education)

3 A Levels are required. These must include

• Chemistry and
• Biology and/or Maths and/or Physics.

The typical conditional offer is AAA (taken at one sitting).

If you don't have Maths, Biology and Physics at A Level you must have GCSEs in these subjects at grade C or above (or in Maths and Dual Award Combined Sciences).

Cambridge Pre-U

The University has agreed that a D3 grade in a Principal Subject at Cambridge Pre-U equates to an A grade at A-level. If you are taking three Principal Subjects and wish to apply to our course, Chemistry would be compulsory, plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Mathematics. An achievement of D3D3D3 would be required. If one Principal Subject is being taken in place of an A-level then a D3 grade will be used as an equivalent. The University will review this policy for the 2011/12 admissions cycle in light of evidence on applicant performance.

SCE (Scottish Certificate of Education)

The following qualifications are typically required.

• An Advanced Higher in Chemistry and
• 5 Grade A Highers. These must include a Higher in Biology and/or Maths and/or Physics

If you don't have Maths, Biology and Physics at Advanced Higher or Higher Level you must have Intermediate 2 or standard grade (Credit) in these subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Chemistry and at least a second science (Biology or Physics) or Mathematics must be taken at the Higher level. Candidates will be expected to achieve a score of 7, 6 and 6 in subjects taken at Higher level and an overall score of at least 39 points.

If you don't have Maths, Biology and Physics as part of the IB, you must have GCSEs (or equivalent) in these subjects at grade C or above (or in Maths and Dual Award Combined Sciences).

European Baccalaureate

We would require an average of 85% or more in the European Baccalaureate with marks of between 8 and 9 in Chemistry plus Physics and/or Biology and/or Maths. We would also recommend one of the practical science courses (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) to be studied as a complementary subject.

Ireland

Leaving Certificate with a minimum of grades AAAABB at Higher/Honours level; particular excellence would be required in Chemistry (compulsory), plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Mathematics. If you do not have Biology, Physics or Maths at Higher/Honours level, you would need to have that subject to at least Ordinary/Standard level.

France

French Baccalauréat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat with an average score of at least 15. Particular excellence would be required in Chemistry (compulsory), plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Mathematics.

Germany

Abitur with a total mark between 1.0 and 1.5 with scores of between 13 and 15 in individual subjects; particular excellence would be required in Chemistry (compulsory), plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Mathematics.

Italy

Diploma Di Esame Di Stato with an overall score of at least 95%, and particular excellence would be required in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Mathematics.

USA

Candidates would typically have an excellent High School record supplemented by:

• SAT scores of at least 1,400 in Critical Reading and Mathematics and preferably also 700 or more in the new Writing Paper, giving a combined score of at least 2,100.
OR
• ACT with a score of at least 32 out of 36.

We would also expect:

• Grades 4 or 5 in two or more Advanced Placement tests
OR
• SAT IIs in three or four subjects at 700 or better.

The APs or SAT IIs would need to include Chemistry (compulsory), plus Physics and/or Biology and/or Mathematics. If you have not taken Biology, Physics or Maths for the SAT IIs or APs, you would need to have followed that subject for the duration of your High School career.

Canada

At least 85% in OSSDs from Ontario, or equivalent grades from other provinces. Particular excellence would be expected in Chemistry (compulsory), plus Physics and/or Biology and/or Mathematics.

Australia

• ACT Year 12 Certificate
• Higher school certificate (HSC) from New South Wales
• Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE)
• South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
• Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE)
• Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
with a position of 98.5 to 99.5 in the University Admissions Index University Admissions Index (UAI) or Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER).
OR

• Senior Certificate from Queensland with an overall position in band 1.

Particular excellence would be required in Chemistry (compulsory), plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Mathematics.

India

• Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ISCE)
• All India Senior School Certificate Examination (SSC)
• Higher Secondary School Certificate
• All India Senior Secondary School Certificate
• Indian School Certificate (ISC)

None of the Standard XII qualifications would be sufficient for candidates to make a competitive application. We would recommend that you supplement your qualifications with, for example, A-levels or the IB (fulfilling the requirements outlined above). For further information about institutions offering these qualifications in your country, you may wish to contact your local British Council or the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

Caribbean

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in six CAPE units, including three double-unit courses with grades of AAA. One double-unit course must be Chemistry, plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Maths (the third one can be in any subject). If you do not have Biology, Physics or Mathematics for the CAPE, you would need to have taken that subject for the Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

Other qualifications

We welcome applications from those studying under systems other than those listed above. Please check our page for international applicants for some further, non-standard qualification requirements. Further to this, the University has provided some guidance on qualifications required from international applicants - please see the University listing of international qualifications.

Please note that, regardless of your qualifications, we will require particular excellence in Chemistry (compulsory), plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Mathematics.

Do contact admissions@medschool.ox.ac.uk if you need help in deciding whether you have the right qualifications to apply.