Initial Teacher Training GCSE equivalencies

The following qualifications are accepted as equivalent to the standard GCSE requirements for Initial Teacher Training.

Please note that not all equivalency tests will be relevant for EU/international applications. Please contact the International Office to check if your qualification is accepted.

English

Qualifications accepted:

  • IGCSE/GCSE/O-Level English Language/English Studies/English Literature at grade C/grade 4 or above

  • IGCSE English Literature at grade C/grade 4 or above

  • Access to HE Diploma: 12 credits at Level 2 English

  • AQA/WJEC/CCEA/Edexcel/Cambridge Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in English Language grade C or above

  • AQA/WJEC/CCEA/Edexcel/Cambridge/ICS Learn, Learn Direct, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas, GCSE in English Literature grade C/grade 4 or above

  • A/AS Level English Language at grade C or above

  • A Star Equivalency Tests

  • Birmingham City University GCSE Equivalency Test

  • CSE English/English Language/English Studies at grade 1

  • Equivalency test in English from another university where the test is designed for entry onto an Initial Teacher Training programme

  • Equivalency test in English from www.equivalencytesting.com

  • Foundation Degree in English

  • International Baccalaureate Higher/Standard English Language grade 5+

  • Ordinary/Standard Irish Leaving Certificate in English Language O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)Open University Modules in English Language on a case-by-case basis

  • Higher/Ordinary Irish Leaving Certificate in English Language grades 1-7 (2017 onwards)

  • Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) English Language 2.0.

The following qualifications are accepted alongside the Birmingham City University Equivalency tests. Please contact GCSE.equivalency@bcu.ac.uk once you have been made an offer.

  • Academic IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all components for PGCE programmes

  • Academic IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all components for BA (Hons) Primary Education

  • BCU English Language Tests.

Mathematics

Qualifications accepted:

  • IGCSE/GCSE/O-Level Mathematics/Additional Mathematics at grade C or above/New GCSE grade 4 or above

  • GCSE Methods in Mathematics or Applications in Mathematics grade C/4 or above. (Where this pair of GCSEs is offered the specific grade requirement for the programme only needs to have been achieved in one of them.)

  • Access to HE Diploma: 12 credits at Level 2 Mathematics

  • AQA/WJEC/CCEA/Edexcel/Cambridge Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in Mathematics grade C or above

  • AS Level Mathematics/Additional Mathematics at grade C or above

  • A Star Equivalency Tests

  • Birmingham City University GCSE Equivalency Test

  • CSE Mathematics grade 1

  • Equivalency test in Mathematics from another university where the test is designed for entry onto an Initial Teacher Training programme

  • Equivalency test in Mathematics from www.equivalencytesting.com

  • Foundation Degree in Mathematics

  • International Baccalaureate Higher/Standard Mathematics at grade 5+

  • Ordinary/Standard Irish Leaving Certificate Mathematics O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)

  • Higher/Ordinary Irish Leaving Certificate in Mathematics grades 1-7 (2017 onwards)

  • Open University Modules in Mathematics on a case-by-case basis

  • Open College Network (OCNWMN) Access with Maths modules.

Science

Qualifications accepted:

  • IGCSE/GCSE/O-Level Science/Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Human Biology/General Science/Applied Science/Additional Science/Geology/Environmental Science/Electronics/Human Health and Physiology/Further Additional Applied Science at grade C/grade 4 or above.

  • Access to HE Diploma: 12 credits at Level 2 Science/Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Human Biology

  • A/AS Level Science/Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Human Biology/General Science/Applied Science/Geology/Zoology Grade C or above Birmingham City University GCSE Equivalency Test

  • A Star Equivalency Tests

  • BTEC Applied Science Subsidiary Diploma L3

  • BTEC L1/L2 First Award in Science at grade C - at Level 2

  • BTEC L1/L2 First Award in the Principles of Applied Science - at Level 2

  • BTEC L1/2 First Extended Certificate in Applied Science - at Level 2

  • BTEC First Award in Application Science

  • BTEC Level 2 Science Diploma at a Pass grade

  • BTEC Level 2 First Certificate Science/Applied Science at Pass grade

  • BTEC Level 2 First Diploma Science/Applied Science at Pass grade

  • BTEC Level 2/Level 3 Extended Certificate in Science/Applied Science at Pass grade

  • BTEC Level 2/Level 3 Extended Diploma in Science/Applied Science at Pass grade

  • CSE Science/Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Human Biology/General Science/Applied Science/Geology at grade C or above

  • Equivalency test in Science from another university where the test is designed for entry onto an Initial Teacher Training programme

  • Equivalency test in Science from www.equivalencytesting.com

  • Foundation Degree in Science/Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Human Biology

  • IGNVQ Science at Pass Grade

  • International Baccalaureate Higher/Standard Science/Environmental Systems and Societies at grade 5+

  • OCR Level 2 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Science/Applied Science at Pass Grade

  • Ordinary/Standard Irish Leaving Certificate in Physics/Chemistry/Biology Grades O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)Double award accepted if applicant gains at least one grade C/4

  • Higher/Ordinary Irish Leaving Certificate in Science grades 1-7 (2017 onwards)

  • Vocational Double Award in Applied Science grade C or above.