USA
Undergraduate entry requirements for students from the United States of America.
Qualifications we accept
Our standard entry requirements are for the completion of standardised tests.
Competition and selection
Entry to many of our degree programmes is very competitive. This is because we receive a high number of applications for a limited number of places.
All applicants who submit an on-time, fully complete application (including predicted grades, academic reference, and personal statement) and who meet or are predicted to meet the minimum entry requirements including any required subjects, will be put forward into the selection process. However, due to high levels of competition the grades you need to successfully get an offer may be much higher than the minimum entry requirements published below.
For entry to our most popular degree subjects/majors you may need a perfect or near-perfect score to get an offer.
What grades do I need?
To meet our minimum entry requirements a minimum of three test scores in different subjects must be completed in addition to the US High School Diploma. The minimum entry requirements can be achieved in different combinations. You must achieve one of the below combinations to be considered:
- Three AP scores at 4+;
- ACT score of 27 (in a single sitting) plus two AP scores at 4+;
- SAT score of 1290+ (650+ in Evidence Based Reading and Writing and 620+ in Math) plus two AP scores at 4+
SAT subject tests at 650+ can be used in place of AP scores where they have been completed within the last three years.
Notes
We do not accept AP Research.
We do not double count subjects that we deem to be too similar, for example Calculus AB and BC will only be counted once.
We do not accept AP Studio Art for any degrees other than Art and Design degrees and Architecture.
Where AP Calculus is required, we are not able to accept AP Statistics in lieu of Calculus.
We do not superscore the ACT and you must present a score from one test sitting.
Required subjects
Entry to some of our degrees requires you to have specific subjects in your Test scores. Where we ask applicants who are taking GCE A levels or GCSEs in specific subjects, we will ask you for comparable subjects at a comparable level in your Test scores. A Level and GCSE required subjects are listed in the entry requirements section of the individual degree programme entries within our degree finder.
The below table details the equivalent Test score requirements.
| Degree programme/Major | Test score required |
|---|---|
| Acoustics and Music Technology | AP Calculus at 4+ PLUS AP Physics at 4+ |
| Architecture |
AP Calculus at 4+ Applicants should demonstrate evidence of artistic ability through academic assessed work. |
|
Business degrees Accounting degrees Finance degrees |
One of: AP Calculus at 4+; ACT Maths component at 27+ SAT Maths component at 620+ |
|
Economics degrees* |
AP Calculus at 4+ *Economics with Mathematics and Economics with Statistics degrees have higher requirements |
| English/Scottish Literature degrees | AP English Literature and Composition at 4+ |
| Language degrees |
AP in a language other than English/your native Language at 4+. Some degrees such as French, Spanish or combined language degrees will require that specific language at 4+. |
| Nursing |
One of: AP Calculus at 4+; ACT Maths component at 27+ SAT Maths component at 620+ |
| Psychology |
AP Calculus at 4+ Applicants who have not taken AP Calculus can be considered with grade 11 Maths/Calculus at grade A alongside an AP at 4+ in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geography, Geology, Physics or Psychology. |
| Social Work |
AP Calculus at 4+ Applicants who have not taken AP Calculus can be considered with grade 11 Maths/Calculus at grade C. |
Joint degrees with Mathematics and Statistics need to meet the requirements set by the College of Science and Engineering.
If your US school does not follow an AP curriculum and AP Tests are not available to you, then we may be able to consider alternative academic evidence. This entry route is on a trial basis for admission in 2023.
Applicants who are unable to take AP exams because the AP curriculum is not available must achieve all of the below to be considered:
- The ACT with a composite score of 27 or above, or, the SAT Reasoning Test with an overall score of 1290 with a minimum of 650 or above in Evidence Based Reading and Writing and 620 in Maths.
- A minimum 3.3/4.0 cumulative GPA, or equivalent, in your US High School transcript. We will look for a rigorous academic curriculum with A and B grades in college-level classes, such as advanced and honours classes, and no grades below a C in your Junior and Senior year.
We are not able to consider virtual/online high school study.
Applicants who are at an AP curriculum school are required to take AP tests for entry and we are not able to consider alternative evidence.
Required subjects
Entry to some of our degrees requires you to have specific subjects at the correct level and grade in your school qualification.
Required subjects are listed in the entry requirements section of the individual degree programme entries within our degree finder.
Where we ask applicants who are taking GCE A levels or GCSEs in specific subjects, we will ask you for comparable subjects at a comparable level in your qualification. The below table details the equivalent academic requirements.
| A Level subject requirement | Equivalent subject requirement |
|---|---|
| Subject at A | Subject at A in suitable honours/advanced classes |
| Subject at B | Subject at B+ in suitable honours/advanced classes |
What must I provide?
To be considered in this way you must provide full information about your school’s curriculum, your study to date, and any study still to be completed. Please email us at futurestudent@ed.ac.uk quoting your full name, UCAS ID number and the degree programme(s) you have applied to and provide the following documents:
- A copy of your US High School transcript to date including your Junior and Senior year classes, and any mid-term/semester report cards.
- A copy of your school’s profile and published curriculum information, including courses descriptors for any required subjects
Applicants who have not provided full details about their study prior to the UCAS deadline for their chosen degree will not be considered.
To meet our minimum entry requirements using undergraduate degree study, or a suitable Associate Degree, applicants must achieve one of the following:
- Successful completion of on year of university in the USA with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or above;
- Successful completion of a suitable Associates Degree with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or above. Associate Degrees are considered on a case by case basis, we do not accept vocational subjects. Associates Degrees must be completed during a two-year period to demonstrate sufficient workload. Associates Degrees are not accepted for advanced entry or credit transfer and are only considered for entry into year 1.
Required subjects
Entry to some of our degrees requires you to have specific subjects at the correct level and grade. Please contact us for more details.
English Language requirements
All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of English language competency, regardless of their nationality or country of residence. If you require a Student route visa to study in the UK, the English qualification that you use for admission to an undergraduate degree must be included in our list of accepted qualifications, unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
Other qualifications
If you have taken the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or GCE A levels, please look at the degree finder for our minimum entry requirements.
If you have taken a qualification that is not listed, or have any other queries, please contact us for further information.
Update to entry requirements webpages
We updated these webpages on 07 November 2022 to make them clearer to understand. There may have been changes since the last time you checked them, however, all entry requirements for 2023 entry remain the same.