Can I get into Cambridge with 8 GCSEs?

GCSEs are seen as evidence of work ethic – and you need a really strong one of those to cope with studying at Oxford or Cambridge. Our guesstimate is that the average successful applicant has around eight 8/9 grade GCSEs under their belt.

Is 8 GCSEs enough for Cambridge?

There are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge. We will look at your GCSE results as an indicator of your academic performance. But this will be within the context of the performance of the school/college where you achieved your GCSEs.

Can you get into Oxford with 8 GCSEs?

If you are shortlisted, your performance in interviews will also be taken into account. Higher grades at GCSE can help to make your application more competitive, and successful applicants typically have a high proportion of 7,8 and 9 grades. However, we do look at GCSE grades in context.

Is 8 a good GCSE grade?

The highest grade you can get is a 9, with 1 being the lowest. This system was introduced in 2017, replacing the old GCSE grading system that awarded students letter grades from A* to G. In the current grading system, a score of 9, 8 and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A.

Is it possible to get into Cambridge with bad GCSEs?

Yes, it is certainly possible to get into the University of Cambridge with bad GCSEs. It may hinder your application to have poor GCSE results since they are taken as a performance indicator, but since Cambridge does not have any GCSE grade requirements, it is not a barrier to entry in itself.

GCSE grades you need for Oxford and Cambridge

What is the lowest GCSE grade for Cambridge?

' Cambridge state 'most students who apply have at least four or five 7-9s at GCSE. However, there are always exceptions and we don't require a minimum number of 7-9s at GCSE. ' Oxbridge do consider GCSE grades in context.

What GCSEs do Oxford want?

GCSE grades are just one of the things that are looked at. While there is no minimum requirement, a high proportion of successful applicants have grades of 7, 8 or 9. This is usually an indication of work ethic, and how hard you have worked up to that point and is usually looked at in context with other things.

Does Cambridge look at GCSEs?

Your GCSEs can tell us about your aptitude to study your chosen course, but we don't generally have any set requirements at GCSE level (with the exception of students who want to study Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, who need a grade C or above in GCSE Double Award Science and Mathematics).

Does Oxford look at GCSEs?

Are my GCSE results good enough for Oxford? Higher grades at GCSE can help to make your application more competitive, but they are just one aspect that we look at. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic...

How many GCSEs do you need for Oxford?

GCSEs are seen as evidence of work ethic – and you need a really strong one of those to cope with studying at Oxford or Cambridge. Our guesstimate is that the average successful applicant has around eight 8/9 grade GCSEs under their belt.

Do you need all 9s to get into Cambridge?

Definitely. To get all 9s at GCSE is rare. And it doesn't even guarantee that the applicant will thrive at Cambridge. But admissions tutors will certainly notice low marks in subjects that are particularly relevant to your chosen course.

Do you need all 9s for Oxford?

Oxford prefers applicants to have as many A*s and 9s as possible, and many applicants have a lot of 7, 8 and 9 grades. So you should ensure that your historic grades don't let you down, especially in subjects relevant to your course. Also, don't stretch yourself too thin if you're struggling to get great grades.

Is it harder to get into Oxford or Cambridge?

Oxford University is slightly more competitive than Cambridge, with an acceptance rate of just 17.5%, which makes it one of the most competitive universities in the United Kingdom and one you need to prepare harder before applying. Check out our guide on how to get into Oxford University for all the tips and tricks!

Do Cambridge accept lower grades?

If your grades are substantially lower than those required by your offer. Unless there are special circumstances to consider, your application to Cambridge will have been unsuccessful.

What is a GCSE 8 equal to?

The new GCSE grading system. Grade 9, Grade 8 and Grade 7 are equivalent to the old Grades A* and A. Grade 6, Grade 5 and Grade 4 are equivalent to the old Grades B and C. To pass you need at least a Grade 4 or Grade 5.

Does Cambridge accept resits?

The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge will accept A Level retakes, however, the individual college you apply to may have its own admissions criteria. For example, some colleges may be more lenient towards retakes while others may be more strict.

What is the lowest grade to get into Oxford?

Offers for Oxford places are between A*A*A and AAA at A-level, depending on the course.

How hard is it to get into Cambridge?

Cambridge's entry requirements

Cambridge has very high academic standards, and entry requirements vary by subject. Generally, successful applicants will have outstanding academic records, with strong grades in relevant subjects. Most subjects require from A*AA to A*A*A*, though this varies depending on the subject.

Can you get into Oxford with 7 GCSEs?

Oxford University Requirements

The average applicant that successfully gets accepted in Oxford University should have around 8 or 9 GCSEs as a minimum. However, GCSEs are just the beginning because you are going to need A-Level grades that Oxford University requires for the course you are applying for.

What grades do Cambridge want?

Entry requirements

Certain grades may be required at Higher Level. Cambridge usually requires A*A*A for most sciences courses and A*AA for arts courses or 40–42 in the IB, including core points, with 776 at Higher Level. AAA is usually required at Advanced Higher grade, for students in Scotland.

What is the hardest subject to get into at Cambridge?

How to get all 9s in GCSE?

How hard is it to get AAB at A level?

In terms of the percentage of students achieving AAB grades (or better) at A Level, the mean for England was 18.9% in 2021/22 and 24.4% in 2020/21.

How many GCSEs do you need for Cambridge?

Source, University of Cambridge: There are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge. GCSE results are looked at as a performance indicator but within the context of the performance of the school/college where they were achieved.

Am I good enough to get into Cambridge?

Although a general offer from Cambridge would require A*A*A-A*AA at A level, many courses or colleges include specific subject requirements that you need to meet. Even if your chosen course does not have any/many specific A level subject requirements, you should check Cambridge's general subject preferences here.