United States of America

Test scores

Applicants are expected to complete three standardised test, and these can be a variety of different combinations provided they are in different subjects.

Examples of our minimum entry requirements in the standardised tests are:

• ACT score of 27 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+
• 3 AP scores at 4+

Applicants should submit all of their test scores, and our Admission Offices will consider the highest scores submitted for each. Please note, the University of Edinburgh does not Superscore the ACT but will consider a Superscore for the new and old SAT. The optional essay sections are not required.

At the point you apply, you do not need to have achieved all of these requirements, but you should be aiming to complete the requirements in your senior year. Please list on your UCAS application form all of the tests you have taken and intend to take.

Achieving these grades will not guarantee you a place at Edinburgh, but will make you a competitive applicant. Please note, our Admissions Office will consider the other aspects of your application, such as the personal statement.

Please note AP scores are used for admissions purposes only, and no advanced credit is awarded as there is no core curriculum in Scotland. AP Research is not accepted as meeting one of the three required.

We are aware that the College Board have now discontinued SAT Subject Tests and that there will no longer be an option for students to register for these tests. Our entry requirements are still based on SAT, ACT and AP test scores; however, if your school does not follow an AP curriculum and AP Tests are not available to you, our Admission Office may consider alternative academic evidence. 

This flexible admissions policy has been confirmed for 2024 entry to undergraduate study on a trial basis. The University of Edinburgh recognises the shift in high school curriculum in the USA and is undertaking a review on entry requirements for future years. 

Applicants who are unable to take AP examinations because the AP curriculum is not available must achieve the following to be considered:

• A minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, 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 level classes, or equivalent, and no grades below a C in your Junior and Senior year.
• Where we require a specific subject at AP grade 4, we look for a B+ in honours classes, or equivalent, taken in that required subject
• Where we require a specific subject at AP grade 5, we look for an A in honours classes, or equivalent, taken in that required subject.

In the majority of cases we will also request:

• 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

Please note that the above does not apply for entry to our MBChB Medicine and BVM&S Veterinary Medicine. These degree programmes require students to take AP examinations to be eligible to apply, further information under the required subject section below.

The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma is accepted for entry. The Diploma must include three Cambridge International A Levels achieved with points equivalent to the A Level grade requirements for the programme including required subjects.

Point equivalencies are:

Further information for applicants studying the International Baccalaureate can be found on our website at:

International Baccalaureate entry requirements

Further information for applicants studying the French Baccalaureate can be found on our website at:

French Baccalaureate entry requirements

Further information can be found on the College website:

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences required subjects

Subject specific requirements for Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences include both Biology and Chemistry. This can either be an AP exam at grade 4 or 5, or SAT Subject Test* at 650+.

*We are aware that SAT subject tests are no longer available to applicants in the USA from 2021 and out with the USA from 2022.

1. Entry direct from high school

Medicine has higher minimum entry requirements:

• At least 3 APs at 5 or 3 SAT Subject Tests at 700+
• These must include Chemistry and two of Biology, Math/Calculus or Physics (Math or Calculus would only count as meeting one)
• Scores can be a combination of APs and SAT subject tests

We may also consider routes other than standardised tests, based on school curriculum - prospective applicants should contact the Medical Admissions Office prior to application for advice on this.

Medical Admissions Office

Applicants for Medicine must also take the UCAT.

Find out more about the UCAT

2. Graduate Entry after completing an undergraduate/bachelor’s degree

You will need a pass in a 4-year undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.25 or better, preferably with a pre/medical related major (e.g. biomedical sciences/medical sciences/nursing/paramedic science).  We will also consider other science majors and non-science majors with the same GPA.  If you have not undertaken a science major you must have SAT II Chemistry at 650+ or AP Chemistry at grade 4 or better.

If you have not taken or cannot take SAT II or AP Chemistry we will also accept an MCAT score of 508 to include a minimum of:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems - 128 
• Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviour - 126 
• Chemistry and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems - 128
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills - 126

Further information can be found on the College website:

College of Science and Engineering required subjects

1. 5-year BVM&S (D100)

Normally 3 APs all at 4 or above in Chemistry, Biology and one other subject would be required. However, we are also happy to consider a combination of APs and SAT IIs (700+) provided that they are in different subjects. Prospective applicants are encouraged to get in contact with the Veterinary Medicine Admissions team prior to application for advice.

All applicants to Veterinary Medicine will be expected to have relevant practical experience of handling animals.

Pre-Vet Programmes

Applicants are expected to have completed at least 2 years pre-veterinary or science courses at College or University. Courses to be covered should include Chemistry I and II (with lab), Biology I and II (with lab) and Organic Chemistry I (with lab). An overall GPA of 3.4 (4 point scale) is expected. We would expect high grades in all science subjects.

2. Graduate entry programme (GEP) BVM&S (D102)

Pass in a 4-year undergraduate degree with a science major and a GPA of 3.4 or better. Candidates who want to be considered for the GEP must achieve high grades in the following subjects:

• Biology/Zoology
• Physics
• Biochemistry
• Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
• Mathematics/Statistics

In addition, gaining high grades in the following subjects would strengthen an application for the GEP:

• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Cell Biology

Graduate Record Examination - VMCAS candidates only

Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test are NOT required.