BSc Computer Science with an Integrated Foundation Year / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2024

A-level

Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and all applications are considered on their individual merits. Decisions are based on the application as a whole - including the qualifications, the personal statement, and the referee's comments. The following must therefore be viewed only as general guide.

Our entry requirements vary depending on the subjects being taken at A level. Typically, we would be looking for:

  • Grades ABB where a student has 3 relevant subjects 
  • Grades AAB where a student has 2 relevant subjects 
  • Grades AAA where a student has 1 relevant subject 

The subjects considered to be relevant are Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Electronics and Statistics. If you are unsure whether you would be considered with your qualifications/predictions, we would encourage you to contact us before making an application.

In all cases we only offer places to applicants if we are convinced that they have the academic potential and the high level of motivation that is needed to be successful on the Integrated Foundation Year and on their chosen degree programme. To help us make our decision, applicants may be asked to attend an Academic Assessment.

Contextual offer

If you meet the criteria and your predicted grades are within two grades of our minimum entry criteria you may be made a reduced offer. 

This will typically be at 1 grade below the standard offer. 

Find out more about contextual admissions .

Duration of A-level study

Your application will be considered against the standard selection process of your chosen course if you either: 

a) sat your examinations early; 

or 

b) followed an accelerated curriculum and spent three years studying A-levels where the examinations were taken over two years.  

If you are studying an advanced curriculum where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor for that subject. 

AS-level

AS-level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

AS-level qualifications are acceptable only in combination with other qualifications.

Unit grade information

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

GCSE

We require Grade B/6 in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics (if not studied at A-level) and B/6 from one of Physics, Chemistry or Combined Science (if not studied at A-level) 

We require at least Grade C/4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects, including Mathematics (either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’ are acceptable) or Physics.

If Mathematics is not studied at Higher Level, then we would require Standard Level Mathematics (either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’ are acceptable) with Grade 6 or higher.

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the academic School prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

Alternative entry requirements

Alternative entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

English language

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency.  

Home students are required to achieve a GCSE in English Language at grade C/4, or an acceptable equivalent qualification .

Overseas students are required to evidence an IELTS for UKVI with an overall score of 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each component.  

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Student Route visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.