Search:

Computer Science University

Our undergraduate admissions requirements
for Foundation and Access Programmes

Short cut forward to Index of Foundation and Access Institutions, by location.

You might like also to visit our pages that describe our requirements for British, International and Overseas qualifications.

As a general rule, our requirements for Foundation and Access qualifications are

1. a high grade in Mathematics,
2. a good grade in Physics, Electronics or Electrical Science or Engineering,
3. a suitable grade in a third subject and/or as an overall score, as appropriate, and
4. a suitable qualification in English Language.

We offer accredited engineering programmes, and also scientific programmes in combination with Mathematics, all as shown above. See our page on the York approach to this subject area.

We do not not offer programmes in Information Technology, except to the extent that IT occurs as part of Computer Science and Engineering - and especially as part of Computer Science with Enterprise Systems. The Department does not offer programmes in Business Studies explicitly; but, as an engineering department, our teaching does include business awareness - especially, again, in the case of Computer Science with Enterprise Systems.

For all our programmes: we require Mathematics at a high level. Our offer will refer to Mathematics.

We do not require Computing or IT. They do not count as mathematical or physical subjects within our requirements.

Please note that these requirements are our usually necessary conditions for admission. They are not automatically sufficient conditions: that is, their acquisition does not, on its own, guarantee admission to the University or to any particular programme. We might think it appropriate to make other requirements in your particular case. Conversely, we might think it appropriate to waive some aspect of our requirements in your particular case: bear in mind that we are generally looking for reasons to admit you, and not for reasons to turn you away.

We make positive efforts to gather information about Foundation and Access programmes, concerning the method of reporting grades in individual subjects of interest to us, and the meanings of those grades. The list below comprises those programmes about which we have been able to obtain this information so far.

Please remember to give us full information about your Foundation or Access programme when you apply. If it corresponds to one of those listed below, then we shall be able to give full consideration to your application.

On the other hand, if it is one that is new to us, or about which we have been unable so far to obtain details, we will make fresh enquiries. The form of those enquiries is shown at the foot of this page. Unfortunately, in some cases we are unable to obtain a reply, or we receive a reply that does not answer our questions. In such cases we must, regretfully, reject your application. So, do please encourage your institution, if it is not listed below, to make available to us the information that we need.

York College

See here for our requirements in the York College Access to Science Programme and the York College Foundation Programme.

York College is a Further/Higher Education College affiliated to the University of York. The York College International Foundation Programme is accredited by the University of York. The SCIENCE pathway is the one that provides an appropriate preparation and qualification for admission to study Computer Science at the University of York.

Location and institution index

The following complete list of acceptable programmes is arranged alphabetically by the geographical location (i.e. city) of the providing institution.

We explicitly encourage representatives of institutions to contact us if they think that we have misinterpreted the structure of their programmes, or if they consider that our stated requirements are inappropriate.
 
A
Athens: BS College of Athens  |  Athens: Foundation College  |  Athens: Network Educational Services  | 
B
Bath: City of Bath College  |  Beijing: Limai School  |  Brighton: University of Sussex  | 
Brighton & Hove: Bellerbys College  |  Bristol: University of Bristol  | 
C
Cambridge: Anglia Ruskin University  formerly  Anglia Polytechnic University  |  Cambridge: Bellerbys College  | 
Cambridge: Cambridge Seminars  |  Cambridge: St Andrews  |  Canterbury: Stafford House College (CATS)  | 
Coventry: Henley College Coventry  | 
D
Dhahran: College Preparatory Programme  |  Dublin: International Foundation College  | 
E
Exeter: University of Exeter  | 
F G
Guangdong: Training School for Studying Abroad  | 
H
Hull: University of Hull  |  Hull: Wyke Sixth Form College  | 
I J K L
Leeds: Leeds City College (Park Lane Campus)  |  Leeds: University of Leeds  |  Leicester: Irwin College  | 
Leicester: University of Leicester  |  London (Greenwich): Bellerbys College  |  London: Brooklands College  | 
London: David Game College  |  London: Queen Mary University of London  |  London: University College London  | 
Loughborough: Loughborough College  | 
M
Manchester: City College  | 
N
Newcastle: University of Newcastle  |  Northampton: Bosworth Independent College  | 
Nottingham: Castle (formerly Broxtowe) College  | 
O
Oxford: Kings' School  | 
P
Portsmouth: Highbury College  |  Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth  | 
Q R
Reading: University of Reading  | 
S
Sheffield: University of Sheffield  |  Southampton: University of Southampton  | 
T
Thessaloniki: DEI  | 
U V W
Warwick: University of Warwick  | 
X Y
York: York College  |  York: University of York Department of Electronics  | 
Z

---

• Applicants from the BS College of Athens Foundation Course must have followed the ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES stream (Discipline B) and must obtain at least the following grades.

  Pure Mathematics	Physics	Information Technology
  Grade A	Grade A	Grade B

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in English (EFL, Conversation, Preparation for IELTS) in the BS College of Athens Foundation Course for ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES.

  ---

• Applicants from the Foundation College (Athens) Foundation Course must have followed the ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE stream and must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics	Computer Science
  Grade A	Grade A	Grade B

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in English for academic purposes in the Foundation College (Athens) Foundation Course for ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE.

  ---

• Applicants from the Network Educational Services (Athens) Network Foundation Programme must have followed one of the following pathways

  • ENGINEERING
  • COMPUTING INCLUDING OPTIONAL PHYSICS

  and must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics for Engineering	Physics	any other subject
  Grade 10	Grade 10	Grade 8

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the City of Bath College Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics	Any other subject
  Grade A as a MAJOR subject over two semesters	Grade A as a MAJOR subject over two semesters	Grade B as a MINOR subject

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in English for Special Purposes as a minor subject in the City of Bath College Foundation Programme.

  ---

• Applicants from the Limai School (Beijing) should see under the University of Sussex Foundation course.

  ---

• Applicants taking the University of Sussex (Brighton) Foundation Course must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics
  Grade A	Grade B

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants taking the University of Bristol International Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics
  70%	65%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining an average of at least 70% in the three English modules within the University of Bristol International Foundation Programme.

  ---

• Applicants from Bellerbys College (Brighton and Hove), and from Bellerbys College (Cambridge), and from Bellerbys College (London), Foundation Programmes take five core modules and five pathway-specific modules. They must have followed the ENGINEERING pathway and must obtain at least the following grades in pathway-specific modules, and overall.

  Pathway-specific modules			Average grade overall
  Pure Mathematics 1 80%	Pure Mathematics 2 80%	Electricity / electronics 70%	70%

  The titles of the modules may be slightly different at the different Bellerbys colleges. Please provide full details in your application.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) was formerly known as Anglia Polytechnic University. Applicants following the Foundation Year in SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY take 40 credits of Mathematics and 50 credits of Physics+Electronics. They must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics + Electrical Science	Additional Maths + Statistics	Digital + Analogue Electronics	Average grade overall
  90%	80%	90%	80%	70%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from a Cambridge Seminars Foundation Programme must have followed one of the ENGINEERING programmes: either COMPUTER ENGINEERING, or GENERAL ENGINEERING. They must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics	All other subjects
  Grade A	Grade A	Grade B

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the St Andrews (Cambridge) Science Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  First science subject	Second science subject	Overall grade
  Mathematics at 85%	Physics at 80%	Distinction

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Stafford House College (CATS) (Canterbury) Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades in the three MAIN subjects.

  First subject	Second subject	Third subject
  Mathematics at grade A	Physics at grade A	Another subject at grade A

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  All Stafford House College (CATS) (Canterbury) students take IELTS towards the end of the programme.

  ---

• Applicants from the Henley College (Coventry) International Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades in the ENGINEERING pathway.

  Mathematics common core	Engineering Mathematics	Engineering Science
  Distinction	Distinction	Distinction

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Dhahran (Saudi Arabia) College Preparatory Programme must have taken the following subjects, and must obtain at least the following grades in Advanced Placements (APs).

  Algebra and trigonometry	Calculus (note 2)	Physics (note 3)	Chemistry (note 4)
  See note 1	AP Grade 5	AP Grade 4	AP Grade 4

  Notes:

  1. It is our understanding that this is not examined as an AP.
  2. Must be AP Calculus BC.
  3. Must be AP Physics C.
  4. Or any other subject examined as an AP.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from Dublin International Foundation College Irish University Foundation Programme must have followed the ENGINEERING route and must obtain at least the following grades.

  Core modules	First route- related module	Second route- related module	Third route- related module	Fourth route- related module
  Mathematics, English 1, English 2, Learning Skills, General Science, ICT: each at grade B	Advanced Mathematics grade A	Applied Mathematics grade A	Physics grade A	Chemistry grade B

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the University of Exeter Foundation Programme (INTO) must obtain at least the following grades in the ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS pathway. Each module is worth 20 credits.

  Pure Mathematics (1)	Pure Mathematics (2)	Introduction to Physical Science	Remaining three modules
  80%	80%	70%	Pass

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from Guangdong Training Scool for Studying Abroad United Kingdom Foundation Year Programme (Huamei International Foundation Year) must have followed the SCIENCE stream and must obtain at least the following grades.

  Speaking and Listening	Reading and Writing	Mathematics	Physics
  Grade B	Grade B	Grade A	Grade A

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  All UKFYP (Huamei International Foundation Year) students are prepared for the IELTS exam.

  ---

• Applicants from the Wyke Sixth Form College (Hull) Foundation Programme franchised by the University of Hull must obtain at least the following grades.

  First subject	Second subject	Third subject
  Mathematics at grade A (80%)	Physics at grade A (80%)	Another subject at grade B (70%)

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Leeds City College (Park Lane Campus) Access to Higher Education Diploma (SCIENCE) must obtain at least the following grades in units at Level 3.

  Mathematics	Physics
  Four units at grades DDDM	Four units at grades DDDM

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the University of Leeds Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics
  Four units at grades DDDM	Four units at grades DDDM

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in the Undergraduate Study Skills in English module within the University of Leeds Foundation Programme.

  ---

• Applicants from the Irwin College (Leicester) University Foundation Studies Course must obtain at least the following grades.

  First core module	First option module	Second option module	Average grade overall
  Mathematics 70%	Further Maths 60%	Physics 70%	65%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the University of Leicester Foundation Engineering Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  Pure Mathematics	Mathematics Applications	Physics
  Grade A (70%)	Grade A (70%)	Grade B (60%)

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Brooklands College (London) Royal Holloway University Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  First academic option	Second academic option	Third academic option	Overall grade
  Mathematics 80%	Physics 70%	Any subject 60%	70%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the David Game College (London) University Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  First minor (core) module	First major (option) module	Second major (option) module	Third major (option) module	Average grade overall
  Mathematics (M1A) 80%	Further Maths (M5) 80%	Electronics (M8) 80%	Physics (M21) 80%	70%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Queen Mary University of London Science and Engineering Foundation Course (SEFP) or International Science and Engineering Foundation Course (ISEFP) must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics 1 and 2	Physics 1, 2 and 3	Average grade overall
  70%	70%	60%

  Note: 'Principles of Maths + Maths 1' is not sufficient; we require 'Maths 1 + Maths 2'.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least a mark of 40% in English 1 and 2 in the QMUL ISEFP.

  ---

• Applicants from the University College London University Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE) programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics (ADVANCED)	Physics	Overall grade
  80%	70%	70%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least a mark of 70% in Academic English in the UCL UPCSE.

  ---

• Applicants from the Loughborough College International Foundation Programme: Mathematics and Physics must obtain at least the following grades.

  This entry is provisional, as some points remain to be clarified.

  Mathematics (8 credits)	Electricity 1 and 2 (3 credits)	Other Physics (6 credits)
  80%	70%	60%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the City College (Manchester) Overseas Foundation Stage for SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING must obtain at least the following grades in a total of at least 70 credits.

  First three units (10+10+5 crs)	Second three units (10+10+10 crs)	Final two units (10+5 or 10+10 crs)
  Mathematics 1, 2, 3 at grades AAA	Physics 1, 2, 3 at grades AAB	Any subjects at grades BB

  Grade A = Distinction = at least 70%; grade B = Commendation = at least 60%.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the University of Newcastle Foundation Programme (INTONU) must obtain at least the following grades in the PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING pathway. Each module is worth 20 credits.

  Mathematics for Physical Sciences and Engineering (1)	Mathematics for Physical Sciences and Engineering (2)	Foundation Physics	Remaining three modules
  80%	80%	70%	Pass

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Bosworth Independent College (Northampton) University Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades in the ENGINEERING route. Note: each grade stated is the overall assessment of the work of three terms.

  Mathematics	Electronics	Mechanics	Remaining modules
  Grade A	Grade A	Grade A	Pass

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in the Communication Skills module in the Bosworth Independent College (Northampton) University Foundation Programme.

  ---

• Applicants from the Castle College (Nottingham) [formerly Broxtowe College] International Foundation Courses must have followed the ENGINEERING programme, and must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics	Overall grade
  80%	80%	60% (Distinction)

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Kings School (Oxford) Foundation Programme for SCIENTIFIC AND MATHEMATICAL disciplines must obtain at least the following grades, averaged over the two semesters for each subject.

  Mathematics (2 main units)	Physics (2 main units)	Average grade overall
  Starred Merit (70%)	Starred Merit (70%)	Merit (60%)

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the Highbury College (Portsmouth) University Foundation Programme for Computer Science must obtain at least the following grades in the package of four 5-credit modules at level 3.

  Mathematics (double)	Physics	Statistics
  Grades AA	Grade A	Grade B

  Grade A = at least 80%; grade B = at least 70%.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  All Highbury College (Portsmouth) University Foundation Programme students are prepared for the IELTS exam.

  ---

• Applicants from the University of Portsmouth Foundation Programme (Year 0) must have followed either the ENGINEERING or the COMPUTING pathway, and need, in either case, to obtain at least the following grades in 120 credits.

  Engineering Mathematics (20 credits)	Electrical Engineering (10 credits)	Average grade overall
  80%	80%	70%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the University of Reading Preparatory Programme must obtain at least the following grades in three 40-credit modules.

  First subject	Second subject	Third subject
  Mathematics at Grade I	Further Mathematics (or FM & Computer Science) at Grade I	Physics at Grade I

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  ---

• Applicants from the University of Sheffield Foundation Year for ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE (FYES) must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics	Chemistry
  80%	80%	70%

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

---

• Applicants from the University of Southampton Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics Foundation Year must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics A	Mathematics B	Electricity and Electronics	Overall in these three subjects
  Grade A/B	Grade A/B	Grade A/B	AAB

  Grade A = 80%. Grade B = 60%.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

---

• Applicants from the DEI (Thessaloniki) Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

  Applied Mathematics	Pure Mathematics	Physics
  Distinction (Grade A, 70%)	Distinction (Grade A, 70%)	Distinction (Grade A, 70%)

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  All DEI (Thessaloniki) Foundation Programme students take IELTS.

---

• Applicants from the University of Warwick Higher Education Foundation Programme (HEFP) must have folowed the SCIENCE/ENGINEERING pathway, and must obtain at least the following grades.

  Mathematics	Physics	Information Technology	English and Study Skills
  Distinction	Distinction	Credit	Credit

  Distinction = at least 70%; Credit = at least 60%.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining a mark of at least 65% (that is, a good credit) in English and Study Skills in the University of Warwick Science/Engineering HEFP.

  Please note that the BUSINESS STUDIES pathway in the Warwick HEFP is not acceptable as a qualification for admission to study Computer Science at York. Even if evidence is produced that an applicant has an adequate background in physical science (e.g. at school), the quantity and level of Mathematics studied in the Business Studies pathway is not sufficient for our programmes.

---

• Applicants from the York College

  • Access to Science Programme, or

  • International Foundation Programme

  must follow the SCIENCE pathway, and obtain at least the following grades in eight units at level 3.

  Four units in	Four units in
  Mathematics at grades AAAB	Physics at grades AAAB

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

  York College is a Further/Higher Education College affiliated to the University of York. The York College International Foundation Programme is accredited by the University of York. The SCIENCE pathway is the one that provides an appropriate preparation and qualification for admission to study Computer Science at the University of York.

---

• Applicants from the Department of Electronics, University of York, having attended the Foundation Year, must obtain at least 80% as an overall mark, in order to enter any of our programmes.

  A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

---

• No others at present.

Letter of enquiry

We are always trying to bring up to date our information on Access and Foundation programmes, so that we can treat applicants from them fairly by comparison with those offering A-levels. We are aiming to obtain the following information about any programme from which we have received an applicant. The list of points about which we are seeking information is shown here in full, in the interests of openness.

1. Does your programme involve a choice from a few 'pathways', such as ENGINEERING, or SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, for which a student must register before getting down to the details of subjects and modules?

   If so, what are they?

2. Is the group of subjects taken by a student (following an ENGINEERING or SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY pathway, if that applies)

   (i) a menu of options or modules from which the student can choose, or

   (ii) a fixed small number of subjects?

   If (i), do you place any restrictions on what a student can or must take?

   If (ii), what are those subjects? Are they of equal standing in the package?

3. Is the quantity of material taught in Mathematics

   (a) at least equivalent to an A-level, or

   (b) about three quarters of an A-level, or

   (c) about two thirds of an A-level, or

   (d) less than that?

   If your programme is modular, how many modules in Mathematics have to be taken to attain this quantity?

4. Is the quantity of material taught in Physics or Electronics

   (a) at least equivalent to an A-level, or

   (b) about three quarters of an A-level, or

   (c) about two thirds of an A-level, or

   (d) less than that?

   If your programme is modular, how many modules in Physics or Electronics have to be taken to attain this quantity?

5. Do you report separately on the grade in each subject (or module)?

6. Is your grading system

   (a) A, B, etc. closely related to A-level grades, or

   (b) A, B, etc., not related to A-level grades, or

   (c) Distinction, Merit, Pass, or

   (d) percentage, or

   (e) other.

7. What are your grades that correspond in level of achievement (if not quantity of material) to grade A, and to grade B, at A-level?

8. Is there a particular grade in a particular module or unit that corresponds to an IELTS score of 6.5, with scores of at least 6.0 in each of the categories of reading, writing, speaking and listening?

Other qualifications

You might like also to visit our pages that describe our requirements for British, International and Overseas qualifications.

Short cut back to Index of Foundation and Access Institutions, by location.

Return to top of this page.