C4.27 Universities Accepting Gaokao Scores

16 UK Universities Accept Chinese Gaokao Results for Direct Undergraduate Applications

1. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has released the latest admission information. From 2017 to 2018, a total of 420 Chinese students were enrolled in undergraduate programs at the University of Cambridge, and 754 Chinese students were pursuing master's degrees there.

In addition to A-level and IB results, the University of Cambridge will accept Chinese Gaokao results. This means students can use their Gaokao scores to apply for undergraduate programs at the University of Cambridge without the need to study a foundation program or A-levels first. However, Chinese Gaokao scores vary by province and year.

Therefore, the accepted Gaokao results require students to be among the top 0.1% of their province's ranking. Meanwhile, assessments will also be based on students' academic proficiency tests (commonly known as Huikao results). Of course, IELTS scores (language proficiency results) must also meet the requirements of the specific major students are applying for.

Admissions officers at the University of Cambridge advise students to actively participate in Olympic competitions, SAT I or II, AP exams, or other internationally recognized tests during their high school studies, as this can enhance their comprehensive abilities.

University of Birmingham

In addition to the University of Cambridge, the University of Birmingham has also accepted Chinese Gaokao results for undergraduate applications since 2019. It was the first Russell Group university in the UK to announce that it would accept students who took the 2019 Chinese Gaokao and aspired to study for an undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham. Based on the typical scenario of graduating from high school at 18, students can complete their undergraduate studies by 21, and those who progress directly to a master’s program can obtain a UK master’s degree as early as 22.

This means Chinese students can pursue undergraduate studies at a UK university without taking qualifications such as A-levels, saving a great deal of time.

Currently, the University of Birmingham only considers Gaokao results that convert to a minimum of 80% (on a 100-point scale). For instance, with a full Gaokao score of 750, applicants need to achieve at least 600 points. Additionally, applicants must hold a high school graduation certificate, with an average score of at least 85% in their second and third years of high school. Furthermore, students must meet the language requirements of their chosen major.

3. University of Leicester

The University of Leicester has also partially accepted Chinese Gaokao results for undergraduate applications since 2019, but the following points should be noted:

1. To date, the University of Leicester only accepts applications for 2019 undergraduate programs from students in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong using their Chinese Gaokao results. Applications for medical-related majors are not accepted.
2. Only students who have obtained their Gaokao results can apply to the university based on these scores; that is, students who have not yet taken the Gaokao are ineligible to apply.
3. Applicants must meet the language requirements (IELTS) specified for their chosen major.
4. Gaokao results must convert to a minimum of 80% (on a 100-point scale). For example, with a full Gaokao score of 750, applicants need to achieve at least 600 points.

4. University of Dundee

For direct entry to Year 1: Applicants must hold a high school graduation certificate with an average score of 75%, or have passed the academic proficiency test (Huikao) with an average score of 75% (excluding applicants for Medicine or Dentistry programs). Additionally, applicants must meet the language requirements for admission.

For direct entry to Year 2: Applicants who have achieved the following Chinese Gaokao results may apply for direct entry to Year 2 (excluding applicants for Medicine or Dentistry programs). Applicants must also meet the relevant language requirements for admission.

As shown in the table below:

5. University of Kent

The University of Kent accepts Chinese Gaokao results with an average score of 60%, along with a 70% average score in the academic proficiency test (Huikao). Additionally, the University of Kent considers applications from students of Chinese vocational high schools, technical schools, and technical secondary schools on a case-by-case basis, requiring an average score of 75%. Naturally, applicants must also meet the specified language requirements.

6. Swansea University

Swansea University announced on 19 April 2019 that it would accept Chinese Gaokao results, and from the 2019/20 academic year onwards, it has been welcoming applications for undergraduate programs from students holding Chinese Gaokao results.

This initiative is expected to open doors for more outstanding Chinese students. The Gaokao is the college entrance examination for regular institutions of higher education in mainland China, with 9.75 million students registering to take it in 2018.

The minimum Gaokao requirement for applicants to Swansea University is an overall score of at least 75% (when converted to a percentage), while the Applied Medical Sciences program requires a minimum of 78%. Applicants must also meet the English language proficiency requirements for international students enrolling in undergraduate courses.

Founded in 1920, Swansea University is located in Swansea, the second-largest city in Wales, and has gained an international reputation for its excellent educational standards. In recent years, the university has continued to rise in major rankings, breaking into the top 30 of The Times rankings in 2019.

Swansea University currently comprises five comprehensive subject areas and over 40 departments, 14 of which have been rated as excellent by the UK Higher Education Funding Council. These include Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology, Management, Law, Economics, Geography, Sociology, Biochemistry, Nursing, and English. Civil Engineering and Computer Science were also ranked first and third in the UK respectively by The Guardian.

With its rigorous academic approach and outstanding teaching staff, Swansea University has nurtured many distinguished talents. The first female professor in British history, who emerged here in 1921, is still widely celebrated today. Additionally, in the field of sports, the university has produced generations of excellent rugby players and athletes across various disciplines.

Notably, we currently offer scholarship programs of up to £6,000 for international students. For application details, please visit: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/international-students/my-finances/international-scholarships/.

For further information about undergraduate program offerings and admission requirements at Swansea University, please contact us via email: admissions@swansea.ac.uk.

Furthermore, Swansea University's Beijing Office was officially established in April 2018, with an opening ceremony held at the Hilton Wangfujing, attended by representatives from various partner institutions.

7， Cardiff University

Direct Entry to Year 1 of Undergraduate Programs at Cardiff University for Chinese Gaokao Candidates

Cardiff University accepts Chinese Gaokao results for undergraduate admission.

Cardiff University has announced that it will welcome outstanding Chinese students to its undergraduate programs with Gaokao results from 2018 or 2019.

To apply to Cardiff University via Gaokao results, Chinese Gaokao candidates must meet the following requirements:

• All applications for full-time undergraduate programs must be submitted through UCAS Apply. The earliest application submission date is 1 September of the year preceding the intended undergraduate study (e.g., for students planning to enroll in Year 1 of Cardiff University's undergraduate programs in September 2019, applications can be submitted as early as 1 September 2018).
• Candidates must achieve an overall Gaokao score of at least 80% of the full mark. For programs requiring A-level Mathematics, the Gaokao Mathematics score must be at least 80% of the full Mathematics mark. A high school graduation certificate is required, with an average score of at least 85% in the second and third years of high school.

The table below outlines Cardiff University's admission requirements corresponding to 2018 Gaokao results for each province and municipality directly under the Central Government in China, including the required 80% overall score and 80% Mathematics score (where applicable). If you took the 2018 Gaokao, your application will only be considered if you meet the following scores. Programs with A-level Mathematics requirements will also require candidates to meet the corresponding Gaokao Mathematics score.

For 2019 Gaokao results, this table will be updated in July 2019.

8， Queen's University Belfast

Queen's University Belfast now accepts Chinese Gaokao results for undergraduate admission, requiring a minimum score of 75% of the full Gaokao mark (excluding Medicine and Dentistry programs). For programs with specific A-level subject requirements, the corresponding Gaokao subject score must reach 75%. For programs requiring A-level Mathematics, both Gaokao Mathematics and Physics scores must be at least 80%. For programs requiring a GCSE grade C in a specific subject, the corresponding academic proficiency test (Huikao) subject score must be 75%. For programs requiring a GCSE grade B in a specific subject, the corresponding Huikao subject score must be 80%. A high school graduation certificate is also required. Note that Medicine and Dentistry programs do not currently accept Gaokao results for undergraduate applications.

9. University of Exeter

   The University of Exeter has accepted Chinese Gaokao results since 2019, requiring a minimum score of 75% of the full Gaokao mark. Applicants must hold a high school graduation certificate with an average score of at least 85% in the second and third years of high school. For programs with A-level Mathematics requirements, the Gaokao Mathematics score must be at least 80%. For programs with relevant subject requirements, the corresponding high school subject scores must reach 85%. Currently, BMBS Medicine, BSc Medical Imaging, and MSci Nursing do not accept Gaokao results for undergraduate applications.

10， University of Essex

Currently, most undergraduate programs at the University of Essex consider applicants with Chinese Gaokao results of at least 75% of the full mark, and a high school graduation certificate is also required.

埃塞克斯大学接受中国高考成绩

11， University of Stirling

Year 1 of Undergraduate Programs at the University of Stirling: Applicants must have an average high school score of 75% and a Chinese Gaokao score of 500 points.

12，University of Strathclyde

Entry Requirements for Year 1 of Undergraduate Programs at the University of Strathclyde: Applicants must have an average score of 80% in the academic proficiency test (Huikao), with no individual required subject score below 80%. For provinces without Huikao, applicants must achieve an average score of 80% in six core subjects, including the required subjects.

Entry Requirements for Year 2 of Undergraduate Programs: Applicants must have an average score of 80% in the Huikao, with no individual required subject score below 80%. For provinces without Huikao, applicants must achieve an average score of 80% in six core subjects, including the required subjects. Additionally, applicants must have a Chinese Gaokao score of at least 525 points (based on a full score of 750) or 70% of the full Gaokao mark.

13， Aberystwyth University

For undergraduate programs in Social Sciences and Business at Aberystwyth University, a Chinese Gaokao score of at least 75% of the full mark is required. For programs in Natural Sciences, a Gaokao score of at least 70% of the full mark is required.

14， Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University accepts Chinese Gaokao results for undergraduate admission. Applicants must hold a high school graduation certificate and achieve an average score of at least 75% in the academic proficiency test (Huikao). Some programs may have higher requirements, so please refer to the specific Gaokao score requirements in the figure below.

15， Anglia Ruskin University

Undergraduate application requirements: Applicants must hold a high school graduation certificate and achieve a Chinese Gaokao score of at least 70% of the full mark. Some programs require a Gaokao score of 80% or above.

16，Staffordshire University

Undergraduate entry requirements: Applicants must hold a high school graduation certificate, with an average high school score of 75%, or a Gaokao Mathematics score of 110 points (based on a full score of 150 points) for certain specific programs such as Engineering and Science.

Reminder from Shishengmiao: Starting from 2019, all the aforementioned universities accept 2019 Gaokao results, and some even accept 2018 Gaokao results. For specific details, please consult the teachers of the respective universities. Currently, most UK universities have established offices in China, and many university official websites also have Chinese versions that specifically provide answers to questions for prospective applicants. Of course, you can also ask me—just put the big red envelope into my Doraemon's pocket! Based on the current situation, if this initiative proves effective, more than 100 UK universities will gradually start accepting Gaokao results for direct undergraduate admission in the future.