Undergraduate entry requirements for students from the United States of America. Qualifications we acceptOur standard entry requirements are for the completion of standardised tests.Competition and selectionEntry 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?Minimum entry requirements - Standardised TestsTo 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.NotesWe do not accept AP Research.We do not double count subjects that we deem to be too similar, for example Calculus AB, Calculus BC and Precalculus will only be counted once.We do not accept AP Studio Art for any degrees other than Art and Design degrees (excluding MA Fine Art) 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 subjectsEntry 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.Undergraduate degree finderThe below table details the equivalent Test score requirements.Degree programme/MajorTest score requiredAcoustics and Music TechnologyAP Calculus at 4+ PLUS AP Physics at 4+ArchitectureAP Calculus or AP Precalculus at 4+Applicants should demonstrate evidence of artistic ability through academic assessed work.Business degreesAccounting degreesFinance degreesOne of:AP Calculus or AP Precalculus 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 requirementsEnglish/Scottish Literature degreesAP English Literature and Composition at 4+Language degreesAP 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+.LLB Law degreesAP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition at 4+NursingOne of:AP Calculus or AP Precalculus at 4+;ACT Maths component at 27+SAT Maths component at 620+Psychology degreesandCognitive ScienceOne of:AP Calculus at 4+;AP Precalculus at 4+ PLUS one of AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP Geography, AP Physics or AP Psychology at 4+; Applicants who have not taken AP Calculus or AP Precalculus can be considered with grade 11 or 12 Maths/Calculus at grade A alongside an AP at 4+ in one of AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP Geography, AP Physics or AP Psychology.Social WorkAP Calculus or AP Precalculus at 4+Applicants who have not taken AP Calculus or AP Precalculus 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.Entry requirements for Maths and Statistics joint degrees. Minimum entry requirements - Applicants who do not have access to AP TestsIf 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 subjectsEntry 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.Undergraduate degree finderWhere 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 requirementEquivalent subject requirementSubject at ASubject at A in suitable honours/advanced classes Subject at BSubject 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 subjectsApplicants who have not provided full details about their study prior to the UCAS deadline for their chosen degree will not be considered.Minimum entry requirements - US Undergraduate study and Associates degreesTo 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 subjectsEntry 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 RequirementsAll 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).English Language Entry requirementsOther qualificationsIf 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.Undergraduate degree finderUpdate to entry requirements webpages We updated these webpages on 07 September 2023 to include the approval of AP Precalculus for some degrees. There may have been changes since the last time you checked them, however, all other entry requirements for 2024 entry remain the same. Undergraduate admissions contact form Understanding your offer Information for applicants with US qualifications who have received a conditional offer This article was published on 2024-08-28