Do Universities Accept IGCSEs?

Are you studying for your IGCSEs (opens in a new tab) and thinking about going to university? With so many ways to take your IGCSEs independently and online, perhaps you want to check that your qualifications will be accepted by universities. The short answer is that they are. Worldwide, universities accept IGCSEs as a valid part of your overall academic record. 

IGCSEs (or International General Certificates of Secondary Education) act like a stepping stone to a degree. When you apply for university, you’ll be asked for different pieces of information that all add up to who you are as a student. They’ll look at your IGCSEs as part of a bigger picture.

Key Takeaways

• IGCSEs are accepted universally as a solid foundation for further studies, including university

• IGCSEs are part of your broader academic profile 

  • Universities consider them with other qualifications, like A Levels (opens in a new tab)

• Universities carefully consider core subjects, English and maths

  • Some courses may require a science, or a certain grade

• IGCSEs show universities that you have good foundational knowledge and the skills you’ll need to study a degree

Are IGCSEs Accepted by UK Universities?

Rest assured, your IGCSEs are considered to be a good foundation for university.

Many of my IGCSE students have gone on to complete their A Levels, and I’ve even helped them prepare personal statements for UK universities. The reasons they like to see your IGCSEs are:

• To look at your grades in core subjects

  • These are English and maths, and, sometimes, a science

• To assess your overall academic achievements

  • They’ll look at consistency, as well as subject grades

• To get a better understanding of your wider knowledge, such as what subjects you’ve studied

If you’ve got Oxbridge in your sights, then it’s worth noting that they may ask for certain subject grades in your IGCSEs. Oxford University’s admission requirements (opens in a new tab) say that candidates with a high proportion of IGCSE grades above a 7 are ideal. But they add that IGCSEs are only used as “context” (part of a wider picture). 

Do International Universities Accept IGCSEs?

You may have global adventures in mind. That’s fine! Your IGCSEs will be accepted by universities globally. IGCSEs are recognised worldwide as rigorous academic preparation for further study. 

United States

Universities in the United States accept IGCSEs as relevant qualifications. Typically, they’ll require IGCSE English and IGCSE maths, and at least three other passed subjects. 

Like universities around the world, US university admission teams consider student applications on a broad basis. 

• New York University (opens in a new tab) says they want to get “to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student”

  • This means they’ll look at your background, extracurricular activities and character, as well as your overall grades 

Your IGCSEs are part of your overall academic record. 

• Yale University (opens in a new tab) says they consider evidence of further study, like:

  • Advanced Placement exam scores

  • SATs, which tests English and maths

  • ACT (American College Testing), which tests English, maths, and science

  • In the UK, the equivalent to these qualifications would be A Levels

Some universities and courses might want certain IGCSE subjects. 

• For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (opens in a new tab) looks for experience of calculus

  • They suggest you take “the most challenging math and science courses available at your school” 

More prestigious universities, such as Ivy League institutions, may offer advanced credit for students with Cambridge International IGCSEs (opens in a new tab).

Canada

IGCSEs are widely accepted across Canadian universities as part of your overall academic record. In other words, like most universities, they consider IGCSE as a relevant qualification, and use it to create a clear picture of your education.   

Canadian universities tend to look at essays, personal recommendations, and your grades in maths and English. 

• The University of British Columbia, for instance, asks for certain English language requirements (opens in a new tab)

• The University of Toronto (opens in a new tab) requires English IGCSE or equivalent for all their courses 

To apply to Canadian universities, it’s ideal to have strong grades in core IGCSEs, like maths, science, and English.

Australia & New Zealand

Universities in Australia and New Zealand consider IGCSEs as relevant qualifications alongside A Levels, the International Baccalaureate, or the Australian ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank).

You’ll need to show most Australian and New Zealand universities proof of your English proficiency.

• Victoria University of Wellington (opens in a new tab) in New Zealand, for instance, offers a range of English qualifications they’ll accept

  • They include First Language English IGCSE and English as a Second Language

If you’re applying to a university in the Group of 8 (opens in a new tab) , you’ll usually require 5 subjects passed at grade C (or 4) or above. 

• The University of Queensland (opens in a new tab) has specific English requirements, and offers a range of paths towards them. They accept IGCSEs at grade C or 4. 

Europe & Asia

Europe

Edexcel Pearson (opens in a new tab) confirms that universities in Belgium, Italy, France, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden all consider their IGCSEs as valid qualifications, along with relevant A Levels, of course. 

Generally, it’s a good idea to check the entry requirements of any university you have in mind. 

Asia

Universities in Asia recognise IGCSEs, too.

• The University of Tokyo accepts a range of valid qualifications, as stated in their application guidelines (opens in a new tab)

• These include IGCSEs, which come under their approved British and European education bodies

• Interestingly, many of the University of Tokyo’s undergraduate programmes (opens in a new tab) are delivered in English

What this tells us is that universities in Asia will consider your IGCSEs favourably. 

If you have other qualifications, like A Levels, you can apply for a degree course, and if not, you may be able to try a foundation course as a step towards a degree. 

How IGCSEs Fit Into a University Application

Hopefully, you’re reassured that universities around the world accept IGCSEs. They’re used by admission teams to get a full picture of you as a student, and as a person. 

Universities agree that IGCSEs provide you with necessary skills and the foundation knowledge you’ll need for specialised study. You’ll have gained:

• Relevant subject knowledge

• Good time management

• Essential reading and writing skills

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

One of the main ways universities use IGCSEs as part of their application process is to assess your core knowledge of maths and English, and, for some courses, science. 

University admission teams consider your IGCSE grades as a prediction of future academic success.

• Something to remember is that some universities may ask for a certain subject or minimum grade. For instance, The University of Southern California says that prospective students (opens in a new tab) should have “a grade of C or better in at least three years of high school mathematics, including Advanced Algebra (Algebra II)”

• Sometimes, certain courses may ask for a minimum grade in a subject, like a grade 6 in maths for a course in Economics.

While your IGCSEs might not be your most recent academic grades by the time you apply for university, they’ll play a crucial role in your applications. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are IGCSEs the same as GCSEs for university admissions?

Yes, both IGCSEs and GCSEs are considered equivalent qualifications, included in your overall academic record. 

Can I apply to university with only IGCSEs?

Usually you will need to apply with more than only IGCSEs. Universities may require further evidence of specialised qualifications, like A Levels or equivalents. It’s also the case that universities, as with colleges and sixth forms, usually require 5 IGCSEs, including maths and English. 

Do Oxbridge accept IGCSEs?

Yes, Oxbridge universities consider IGCSEs to be a relevant part of your entire application. Their admission process includes many factors, though, such as recent academic performance and personal circumstances.  

Do I need IGCSE English to study in the UK?

Generally, yes, you’ll need a grade 4 or C in IGCSE English to study further in the UK. It’s always best to check with colleges or universities as entry requirements vary. 

With IGCSEs under your belt, you’ll be in a good position for your studies at university. 

Ideally, and to get into the strongest position you can for your future university applications, aim for good grades in core IGCSE subjects like English, maths, and science. A consistent set of grades will show universities you’re a committed learner, and that’s what they want to know!