Other UK qualifications
We consider a range of qualifications at Level 3 or above (in the Regulated Qualifications Framework) for entry to our undergraduate courses.
If you're taking A Levels, you can find information about our requirements on our A Levels webpage.
This page lists some of the other qualifications we consider. Precise entry requirements vary for each course, and some courses don't accept all of the qualifications listed. Courses with subject prerequisites also require specific grades/scores in individual subjects.
The information below should be read alongside our general admissions requirements. If you're taking a qualification which isn't listed, please contact the Admissions Service for advice.
If you know which course(s) you'd like to apply for, please also refer to course entry requirements in our undergraduate online prospectus and on UCAS course search.
Equivalences for UK/EU qualifications
| A Level | A*AA | AAA | AAB | ABB | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to HE Diploma | 60 Credits overall, 45 at Level 3 including 42 at Distinction and 3 at Merit | 60 Credits overall, 45 at Level 3 including 39 at Distinction and 6 at Merit | 60 Credits overall, 45 at Level 3 including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit | 60 credits overall, 45 at Level 3 including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit | 60 credits overall, 45 at Level 3 including 24 at Distinction and 21 at Merit |
| BTEC L3 National Extended (RQF)/Extended (QCF) Diploma | D*DD | D*DD | DDD | DDD | DDM |
| BTEC L3 National Extended (RQF)/Extended (QCF) Diploma + 1 A Level | D*DD + A | DDD + A | DDD + A | DDD + B | DDM + B |
| BTEC L3 National Diploma (RQF)/Diploma (QCF) + 1 A Level | D*D + A | DD + A | DD + A | DD + B | DD + B |
| BTEC L3 National Extended Certificate (RQF)/Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) + 2 A Levels | D + A*A | D + AA | D + AB | D + BB | D + BB |
| BTEC L3 National Foundation (RQF)/90 Credit (QCF) Diploma | D + AA | D + AA | D + AB | D + BB | D + BB |
| Cambridge Pre-U Certificates | D2 D3 D3 | D3 D3 D3 | D3 D3 M2 | D3 M2 M2 | M2 M2 M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% | 83% | 80% | 77% | 75% |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | 37 | 36 | 34 | 33 | 32 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate (ILC) – 2017 onwards award | H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 | H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 | H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 | H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 | H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 |
| SQA Highers | AAAAA + A in Advanced Higher | AAAAA | AAAAB | AAABB | AABBB |
| SQA Highers + 1 Advanced Higher | AAAAA + A | AAAAB + A | AAABB + A/B6 | AABBB + B | ABBBB + B |
| SQA Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | AAAAA + AA | AAAAB + AA | AAABB + AB | AABBB + AB | ABBBB + BB |
| Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales | A + A*A | A + AA | B + AA | B + AB | B + BB |
- AS Levels
While we continue to make offers on the basis of three A Levels, we do welcome the evidence of breadth of study provided by a fourth subject at AS Level and we may be able to make alternative offers to include these, for example where an applicant is studying three A Levels plus AS Level Further Maths.
- Cambridge Technical Diploma
We consider the 18-unit Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma for entry provided it's in a subject relevant to the chosen degree course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Diploma (for example DDD or DDM) at the same levels indicated in the table above for the BTEC Extended Diploma. Some courses specify required levels of achievement in particular units or may ask for additional qualifications to satisfy subject requirements.
We consider the 12-unit Cambridge Technical Diploma where taken alongside one, and the 6-unit Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma where taken alongside two, A Level subjects. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Diploma at the same levels indicated in the table above for the BTEC National Diploma and National Extended Certificate respectively. We advise applicants to avoid combinations of similar subjects in their Cambridge Technicals and A Levels.
- Core Maths
The following Core Maths qualifications, each equivalent to an AS Level in size, focus on the use of maths skills in contextualised, complex scenarios:
AQA Level 3 Certificate Mathematical Studies
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics
OCR Level 3 Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving
OCR Level 3 Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics in Context
WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics for Work and Life
We recognise that these qualifications may help students who aren't taking A or AS Level Maths to preparing for undergraduate study, even if the course doesn't require maths as part of the entry requirements, and we welcome the evidence of breadth of study and skills development that studying maths post-16 level can provide.
Where a Core Maths qualification is presented alongside three A Levels or equivalent, we may be able to issue an alternative offer as part of our Access Sheffield scheme.
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
We don't require the EPQ for entry although we encourage students to complete an EPQ where possible, as we value the development of skills in independent study and research that it can offer.
For some courses we may be able to include an EPQ in an alternative offer where it's completed alongside three A Levels. See course entries in our online prospectus for more information.
- Higher National Diploma/Certificate (HND/HNC)
We consider for entry to the first year of our degree courses BTEC HNDs/HNCs and SQA Higher National/Advanced Certificates, where the required academic preparation and any subject prerequisites have been satisfied and where the HNC/HND studied is in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.
- NVQ Level 3
We consider applications from students offering NVQ Level 3 qualifications provided they're in a relevant subject area and are taken alongside two A Level subjects, or equivalent. We also advise students to avoid combinations of similar subjects in their A Levels and NVQs.
- Open University units
We consider Open University courses where the required academic preparation and any subject prerequisites have been satisfied. As a minimum we normally require 120 credits at Level 1 in a relevant subject area for entry to the first year of our degree courses.
- Technical Baccalaureate
The Technical Baccalaureate isn't required for entry to our undergraduate degrees. We welcome applicants offering the TechBacc, and we treat them equally to those offering suitable stand-alone Tech Level/Applied General courses. We normally expect applicants to offer three full A Levels or an accepted equivalent qualification/combination of qualifications (this includes some of the Tech Level courses taken as part of the Technical Baccalaureate).
We may be able to consider the composite parts of a particular Technical Baccalaureate if these are deemed to cover the depth and breadth of study required for an undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield and meet our published entry requirements.
Entry requirements do vary from course to course and we'd advise prospective students to check the course pages on our website, particularly for any subject-specific requirements (such as A Level Maths), before submitting an application.
- T Levels
We currently consider T Levels for entry to directly relevant degree courses only. We always require a Distinction overall but specific scores required in the core component and occupational specialism will vary by T Level and degree course applied to. As more T Levels begin delivery we will continue to assess suitability for progression to our degree courses
For more information on our approach to T Levels, please see our policy statement. For information about courses that accept T Levels and the levels of achievement required, contact the Admissions Service.