Three International Baccalaureate Higher Level subjects in appropriate subjects (for details
course descriptions page,
noting that we treat I
B Higher Levels as equivalent to A Levels)
In addition, applicants would be expected to achieve a minimum of 90% overall in the relevant
provincial High School/Secondary School Diploma. Please note our assessment of the high school
final %
is based on grade 12 English and the best 5 o
ther grade 12 scores
.
Alternatively, students can apply if they are studying the full International Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma (out of 45 points, including three appropriate Higher Level subjects). In this case,
Students who already have a university degree may be able to apply for an affiliated degree (i.e.
applying to study for a second Bachelor’s degree).
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, please note that you may be required to achieve, before
ultimate entry, a satisfactory standard in the IELTS International English Language Test (usually
taken through the British Council), normally achieving a minimum overall score of 7.5, usually with
7.0 or above in each element of that test.
A reasonable standard in spoken English is also required at the time of interview, for example an
overall IELTS score of 6.0 for sciences or 6.5 for arts and social sciences would normally be
regarded as a reasonable score at the point of application, together with knowledge of the technical
vocabulary in English for the relevant subject area.
Subject choice
For all subjects it is absolutely essential that applicants should read the Undergraduate Prospectus
and be well acquainted with the structure and contents of the course for which they are applying. If
an applicant indicates at interview that they are unfamiliar with the nature of the course, this will
make a very poor impression. You can be considered for any course offered by the University as
listed in the Undergraduate Prospectus. Some specific points to note are:
Architecture – this is not considered as a purely technical subject in Cambridge and applicants
usually have to bring a substantial portfolio of artwork with them to be discussed at an interview in
Cambridge. In previous years very few applicants interviewed overseas for Architecture have been
successful in gaining places: serious applicants are advised, if at all possible, to be prepared to
travel to Cambridge for interview.
Economics – competition is currently very severe for places to read Economics and good ability
at Mathematics is of equal importance to an interest in, and basic knowledge of, Economics.
Law – currently there is a lot of competition for places to read Law at Cambridge and motivation
for the course plus a relish for the intellectual challenges involved in legal study and work are
important in addition to strong examination grades. Where possible applicants should try to see
the Law in action, for instance by a short period of work experience or shadowing a lawyer, or
even better by watching a few court cases.
Medicine – because of Government restrictions there is currently a maximum admission of
twenty-two places a year for overseas medical students in Cambridge as a whole. Anyone
admitted as a preclinical medical student is assured of a clinical course place, subject only to
satisfactory progress and health requirements. The full cost of an entire six-year medical course of
training is rather high (last year these costs came to £52,400 per year – this figure includes
overseas tuition fees for 2016-2017 plus averaged College fees and estimated term-time living
expenses. Figures for 2017-18 will be made available in July 2016. You should allow for possible
increases in subsequent years).