Entry requirements
A-levels
For Computer Science at Oxford, A-level Mathematics is required, and we highly recommend A-level Further Maths. We generally expect students who have the opportunity to take A-level Further Maths to do so. Candidates who have chosen not to take Further Maths may apply, and may in exceptional circumstances be made an offer based on the mathematics that they are studying. From 2022-25, 96% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Maths to A-level.
We will normally make an offer of A*AA on three A-levels, regardless of how many A-levels a student is taking.
If your school schedules maths lessons such that you study a full Maths A-level in Year 12 and a full Further Maths A-level in Year 13, we will accept the grade obtained in the Maths A-level as part satisfying the offer.
The table below shows our standard A-level offers:
| If you're taking A-level in Further Maths | If you are taking Further Maths to AS-level | If you are not taking Further Maths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science or Computer Science and Philosophy |
A*AA, including Maths and Further Maths, with the A* in Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science | A*AAa with the A* in Maths, and a in Further Maths AS | A*AA with the A* in Maths |
| Maths and Computer Science | A*AA including A*A in Maths and Further Maths | ||
| If a practical component forms part of any of your science A-levels used to make the offer, we expect you to pass it | |||
BTEC and other vocational qualifications
Competition for places at Oxford University is extremely strong, and all courses are academic in nature. Although Computer Science may suggest a more vocational style of learning, the courses are strongly academic in their focus. Academic qualifications such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate or any other academic equivalent are strongly recommended as the best preparation for any course of study at Oxford. For students wishing to meet the offer with BTEC qualifications we would typically be looking for the following combinations of BTEC AND A-level qualifications:
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in any subject with minimum grades of DDD. You would also need an A* in Maths A-level. We would strongly recommend also taking Further Maths at A-level (in which at least an A would need to be achieved), though this is not a requirement.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in any subject with minimum grades of DD. You would also need A* in Maths A-level. We would strongly recommend also taking Further Maths at A-level (in which at least an A would need to be achieved), though this is not a requirement.
- BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in any subject with minimum grade of D. Plus at least A*A between Maths and Further Maths A-levels. If your school is unable to offer Further Maths at A-level, students would need to be studying another relevant science subject at A-level.
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended certificate in any subject with minimum grade of D. Plus at least A*A between Maths and Further Maths A-levels. If your school is unable to offer Further Maths at A-level, students would need to be studying another relevant science subject at A-level.
- We don’t make offers based on the BTEC certificate.
We also recognise the achievements of students who hold vocational, professional or other qualifications,
and these will be taken into account during the admissions procedure.
Scottish Highers
Students with Scottish qualifications would usually be expected to have AAAAB or AAAAA in their Scottish Highers. Supplemented by Advanced Highers: AA/AAB, which should include Mathematics to Advanced Higher (A grade).
International Baccalaureate
39 points, including core points. Higher Level grades of 7 6 6 with the 7 in Maths. We will accept candidates who are taking either of the new IB Mathematics courses (HL Mathematics: applications and interpretation or HL Mathematics: analysis and approaches), without preference between the two courses.
American qualifications
- a score of 32 or above in the ACT or
- 1470 or above (out of 1600) in the SAT with a score of at least 770 in Mathematics.
We do not require the optional essay for either the ACT or the SAT.
Please note that Calculus AB and Calculus BC cannot be counted as two separate subjects for the purposes of meeting your offer, whether taken as separate tests or by receiving the AB sub-score when taking Calculus BC. We count AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles as two seperate subjects.
For those taking Physics the following combinations of Physics courses can be counted as two separate qualifications for the purposes of meeting your offer:
You do not have to have achieved these grades prior to applying. Since our application deadline is (usually) 15 October in the year before candidates intend to start the course, it is perfectly normal for students to apply midway through their school-leaving qualifications. In that case, it is normal for us to make offers in January that are "conditional" on candidates making the required grades in their remaining qualifications (you must make the grades to start the Oxford course). As part of our process, your UCAS referee (usually a teacher) will be asked to predict grades for you in any qualifications that you haven't completed, so that we have an idea of whether you are on track to meet the standard above.
Other qualifications
Please see the following for more information on other international qualifications
All non-native English speakers must satisfy the University of Oxford's English language requirements.
If you are looking for information about philosophy, A –levels taken early, gap years or GCSEs please take a look at the FAQ page