A-Level Entry Requirements

There are two stages in the evaluation process:

1. The first stage requires an applicant's results to meet the Minimum Entry/Matriculation Requirements and specific subject requirements of a programme. If you are presenting subjects through a GCE/GCSE examination programme ensure that you refer to the National University of Ireland listing of which A-level/GCSE subjects are mutually exclusive for basic eligibility.
2. The second stage requires an applicant's results to meet the Points of a programme.  The Points Requirement for each individual programme is determined by the demand for that programme as well as the standard of school leaving examination results of all applicants for that programme.  A-Level applicants compete on Points Equivalences as outlined in the tables which follow.

1. Minimum Entry/Matriculation Requirements

Applied A-Level/Vocational subjects are not accepted for matriculation or entry purposes. 

Single Sitting:

A-level Grades taken over a single sitting may be combined with AS Grades from the same year or 1 year previous.

Consecutive Autumn (November), Winter (January) and June (Summer) results, in that order, would be considered part of the same examination 'sitting' only.

For Medicine Applicants: A-Level applicants must satisfy minimum entry requirements for the programme within three consecutive years, e.g. GCSE (2024), AS Levels (2025) and A-Levels (2026).

English Language Competence:  Grade C at GCSE level or equivalent English Language competence

2. Points Equivalences

*Extended project (EPQ) is scored as an AS level and A* is available in this.

Notes Universities and associated colleges

1. A maximum of four different recognised subjects, which are not mutually exclusive, will be counted.
2. If 4 A-levels are presented, the lowest grade is scored at a lower rate.
3. Only A-level grades awarded at the same date can be considered for computation.
4. Applicants are scored on the basis of their best four A-levels, or three A-levels and an AS level in a different subject from the same or preceding year. (note one A-level grade from the previous year may be substituted for an AS grade but will only be scored as an AS).
5. Grades in the same subject in A and AS level cannot be combined.
6. Please note that these points equivalences are indicative only. In the case of high-demand programmes such as Medicine, a numerus clausus may operate.
7. Please note that A-level scoring will be reviewed before year entry.

Bonus Points

25 additional points will be awarded for a Grade E or better in A-level Mathematics.  This will apply to only ONE Mathematics subject of the following:  Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics, and only where that subject is used as one of the subjects for scoring purposes.  

NB: Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be counted separately for points purposes.

Documents to be sent to CAO

If you are applying on the basis of GCE/GCSE exams to be taken this year, you must provide the Exam Board, Centre Number, Candidate Number, Subject(s) and Level in the spaces provided. For any GCE/GCSE examinations which you have already completed, and for which a certificate has been issued, you must post certified A4 photocopies (certified by a school stamp) of the appropriate certificates to CAO.

Please Note: Certificates or statements of results must be issued by the exam boards (containing the exam board logo). Documents produced by schools will not be sufficient. Boards other than CIE, CCEA, UCLES, WJEC, OCR, EDEXCEL, AQA, and AEB must be entered.

A-Level Subject Requirements

To compare the subject requirements in terms of Irish Leaving Certificate as specified on the UCC website, use the following table.

NB NOT for points conversion  -  for this see Points Equivalences table above

Table Key for A-Level Requirements below: 

*Finished on Random

^** Students must present AC in either a Laboratory Science subject, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics

^***AC in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics;  if the AC is in Applied Mathematics, a D at A2 Level in Mathematics is also required

^#Plus Selection Test/Interview

FR - French; GE - German; IT - Italian; IR - Irish; SP - Spanish; LA - Latin; GR - Greek    

College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

College of Business and Law

College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

College of Medicine and Health

BTEC Entry

If you are applying to UCC with a BTEC Award, you can find out more about your application here.