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International Qualification Equivalencies for UK Medicine
US, Canadian, IB, Indian, Middle East, Hong Kong, and Singapore qualifications explained
Understanding whether your qualifications are accepted by UK medical schools is crucial before you invest time in applications. This guide covers the major international qualification systems and their UK equivalencies.
Important: Acceptance varies by university. Some qualifications are not accepted at certain schools. For example, CBSE (Indian curriculum) is not accepted at Edinburgh. Always check each university's specific requirements.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB Diploma is widely accepted by UK medical schools.
Typical Requirements
- Total points: 36-40+ (varies by school)
- Higher Level subjects: Usually require Chemistry plus Biology or Physics at HL
- HL grades: Typically 6-7 in science subjects
Example Requirements
| University | IB Requirement |
|---|
| Oxford | 39 points, 766 at HL |
| Cambridge | 40-42 points, 776 at HL |
| Manchester | 37 points, 666 at HL |
| Edinburgh | 37 points, 666 at HL |
US Qualifications
US High School Diploma + AP Courses
- Most schools require AP courses in relevant subjects
- Typically: AP Chemistry + AP Biology (and often AP Maths or Physics)
- AP scores of 4-5 usually required
- High school GPA also considered (3.5+ typically competitive)
SAT/ACT
- Some schools consider SAT/ACT scores
- SAT Subject Tests (when available) in Chemistry and Biology may strengthen applications
- Check individual school requirements
AP Equivalency: An AP score of 5 is generally considered equivalent to an A-Level grade A or A*. A score of 4 is typically equivalent to a B.
Canadian Qualifications
Provincial High School Diplomas
Canadian qualifications are generally well-recognised. Requirements vary by province:
- Ontario: Grade 12 U/M courses with high averages (85%+)
- British Columbia: Grade 12 courses with strong performance
- Alberta: Grade 12 courses, 30-level subjects
Key Subjects
- Chemistry 12 (or equivalent)
- Biology 12
- Mathematics (calculus preferred by some schools)
Indian Qualifications
CBSE and ISC
Note: CBSE is not accepted at some schools, including Edinburgh. Always verify before applying.
- ISC (Indian School Certificate): More widely accepted
- CBSE (Central Board): Accepted at many but not all schools
- Typical requirement: 85-90%+ in relevant subjects
- PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) stream required
Checking Acceptance
Contact each university's admissions office directly to confirm your specific board/qualification is accepted.
Middle East Qualifications
UAE/Gulf States
- American curriculum: Treated as US qualifications (see above)
- British curriculum (A-Levels): Directly accepted
- IB Diploma: Widely accepted (see above)
- Local curricula: Acceptance varies; check with universities
Other Middle East Qualifications
- Lebanese Baccalaureate: Generally accepted at competitive grades
- Iranian qualifications: Check with individual universities
- Turkish qualifications: Some acceptance; verify with schools
Hong Kong Qualifications
HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education)
- Widely accepted by UK medical schools
- Typical requirement: 5-5* in relevant subjects
- Usually need: Chemistry + Biology/Physics at Level 5+
- Core subjects also considered
A-Levels (Taken in HK)
Same as UK A-Levels; directly accepted.
Singapore Qualifications
Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Levels
- Directly equivalent to UK A-Levels
- Same grade requirements as UK applicants
- Usually need: AAA including Chemistry
IB (Taken in Singapore)
Same requirements as IB taken elsewhere (see above).
Other International Qualifications
European Baccalaureate
Generally accepted; typical requirement around 80-85% overall with strong science grades.
French Baccalaureate
Accepted at many schools; scientific stream (Bac S) preferred. Typical requirement: 14-16/20 overall.
German Abitur
Accepted at many schools; typical requirement: 1.0-1.5 overall grade.
How to Check Your Qualifications
- University websites: Check each target school's international admissions page
- UCAS: Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator for point equivalencies
- UK ENIC: UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) provides official statements of comparability
- Contact admissions: Email directly if your qualification isn't listed
When in doubt, ask: If your qualification isn't explicitly listed on a university's website, contact their admissions office directly. Don't assume rejection; they may simply not have listed your specific qualification.
If Your Qualifications Aren't Accepted
Options Include:
- Foundation year programmes: Some universities offer international foundation years leading to medicine
- A-Level study: Study A-Levels (potentially in the UK or internationally)
- IB programme: Consider studying for the IB Diploma if available
- Focus on schools that accept your qualifications: Strategic school selection is key
Last updated: February 2026
