Students from the USA at the University of Exeter

Undergraduate entry requirements for students from the United States of America

You can apply through UCAS.

IB/A-Levels Curriculum 

If you are taking A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, you will be eligible for direct entry if you meet your chosen programme’s entry requirements; see the relevant page of our undergraduate courses for details. 

US High School Curriculum 

Alternatively, undergraduate applicants from the U.S. can meet our general entry requirements – the equivalent of three UK A levels – by successfully completing their High School Diploma with a combination of the following options: 

• Advanced Placement tests (APs) / AP Classes 

• College-level class credit (at least three units/credits or one semester in length) 

• High school honours class credit (at least one year's duration; year 11 or 12) 

These options can be 'mixed and matched' to meet our standard A level requirements. For example, you may have one Advanced Placement test, one High School honours class and one College-level class. 

Students can also meet the equivalent of 3 UK A-Levels by successfully completing their High School Diploma with:  

• ACT (composite score) or 

• SAT Score 

Please note however, that any subject-specific A level requirements can only be met by the following: 

• a relevant Advanced Placement Test grade 

• appropriate College-level class credit (at least three units/credits or one semester in length) 

For subject-specific requirements, please see the relevant page of our undergraduate courses. 

Grade equivalencies 

AP classes can be accepted as meeting A level requirements, except for subject-specific requirements where presentation of the final test score remains a requirement. Any AP classes should be named 'Advanced Placement' or 'AP' on the high school transcript. 

AP Physics 

• For programmes specifically requiring A Level Physics – we can accept AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, or BOTH AP Physics C tests: Electricity and Magnetism AND Mechanics 

• Programmes which accept Physics as an acceptable Science subject – we can accept AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism OR AP Physics C: Mechanics. 

High school honours classes can be accepted as meeting A level requirements, except for subject-specific requirements. These classes should be named 'honours', 'hons', 'college prep', or abbreviations thereof, on the high school transcript. 

College-level class credit can be accepted as meeting A level requirements, including any subject-specific requirements, on a case-by-case basis. The class credit should in a named academic subject (rather than practical or recreational). 

If you are applying for a degree requiring A level Mathematics, you will need to hold AP Calculus (we accept both AB and BC Calculus) or College-level credit in an appropriate class (case-by-case basis). 

ACT/SAT 

We can also accept a composite ACT score or an SAT score as described in the ACT/SAT Equivalencies table below, provided you meet any subject-specific requirements with the relevant Advanced Placement test or appropriate college-level credit.

Associate degrees 

The University welcomes students with a community college background. 

First year entry 

Students completing one or two years of an associate degree from a US community college can be accepted onto the first year of an undergraduate degree with an A level grade equivalency as described in the Associate Degree Equivalencies table, and by meeting any subject-specific A level requirements with appropriate academic class credit. 

Second year entry 

US community college students successfully completing their full two-year associate degree can apply for second-year entry on a case-by-case basis. You must demonstrate (via your college transcript) that you have covered most/all subjects of year one content of the course for which you are applying. 

When you are completing your UCAS form 

In order to assist our Admissions team, remember to include any of the following qualifications or tests you may have already taken, or will be taking in your senior year. The following are the most important to mention and will help our team process your application: 

• English and Maths class grades from Grade 10, 11 and 12 

• Any High School honours classes 

• Any AP Classes  

• Any AP test grades 

• College-level classes from Grade 11 and 12 

• Any ACT test results (composite score) 

• Any SAT Scores 

• Associates degree GPA if applying from a community college 

After submitting your UCAS application and obtaining your UCAS personal ID number please email our Admissions team (ug-ad@exeter.ac.uk) with a copy of your most recent transcript. Please remember to quote your UCAS ID number in this and any future correspondence. The institutional College Board number is 6592. The institutional ACT number is 5469. 

More information

• How to apply for an undergraduate course

Postgraduate entry requirements for students from the United States of America

Postgraduate Taught

For direct entry onto our Masters courses you will be required to hold a relevant Bachelors degree with a grade equivalent to a UK Second-class honours (2:1 or 2:2); please check the relevant page of our Masters courses for the exact entry requirements of your chosen course.

We consider applications on a case-by-case basis, but the table of Grade Equivalencies for Entry to Postgraduate Taught Courses, would generally apply.

If you are interested in our Finance Masters courses or Management Masters courses but do not quite meet our entry requirements, you may be able to gain entry by first attaining a Graduate Diploma via our International Study Centre.

Postgraduate Research

For entry onto postgraduate research programmes (including PhD) you will need to hold a relevant Masters degree, supported by a strong research proposal.

More information

• How to apply for a Masters course
• How to apply for a PhD or research degree