NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Not all higher education institutions use this system. Students have to apply directly to the Royal College of Art, and the OU.
Students applying to Oxford and Cambridge Universities apply directly to them, as well as via UCAS.
Institutions may make conditional offers to students expressed as grades or points. For example, three A levels with three A
grades may be necessary for entry to Japanese studies at Oxford, while three A levels with three B grades may be required for
history at Birmingham.
These may also be expressed in a points system where
at A level: and at AS level:
A = 10 A = 5
B = 8 B = 4
C = 6 C = 3
D = 4 D = 2
E = 2 E = 1
A student with three As therefore has 30 points, while a student with three Bs has 24.
An institution may also invite the applicant for an interview before deciding whether or not to admit him or her. A good
interview can tip the scales in favour of an applicant with a borderline score.
Students who do not meet all requirements
All higher education institutions are willing to consider applications from mature candidates who do not meet the conventional
academic requirements. Candidates should be at least 21 and be able to show evidence of academic ability or special capacity
or experience in their proposed course of study.
A student who does not immediately qualify to enter a degree course may be admitted to a preliminary year in some
institutions.
For overseas students there are special bridging courses which are normally of one year’s duration. These make up for the
differences between prior education obtained in another country and the prior education required in the UK.
At some universities it is possible to attend lectures and seminars for a year as an auditor or occasional student. These studies
do not lead to a diploma or certificate.
II.1.1. Qualifications for admission to
non-university higher education
Admission to higher education is granted by the certificates or diplomas already mentioned in Section II.1. In addition to
general requirements, there are specific course requirements.
General requirement
The basic entrance requirement for colleges and institutes of higher
education is five passes including two at A level (for degree entry) or four passes, including one at A level (for HND course
entry).
Course requirements
The requirements for the particular course of study are an important aspect of the admission system. These may vary from one
faculty or department to another.