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Which Universities Have The Toughest Entry Requirements?

Which Universities Have The Toughest Entry Requirements?
Alice Johnston
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High school students sit at their tables during the final school leaving exams (Abitur) at the ecumenical Domgymnasium (high school) in Magdeburg, Germany, 29 April 2015. Around 5,600 high school students are taking their School leaving exams in Saxony-Anhalt until 11 May 2015. Photo: Jens Wolf/dpa
Jens Wolf/DPA

Some universities are harder to get into than others. But which ones ask for the highest marks? Sorted by UCAS points, the Complete University Guide's 2016 league table can give you an idea of which institutions need which results.

The entry requirements are measured in UCAS points. While A-levels will make up the majority of an applicants UCAS points in most cases, there are other ways to boost your score. BTECs, music exams and diplomas are amoung the many different qualifications which can contribute to a UCAS score. So if you're a bit short, try thinking outside of traditional exams to boost your score.

If you don't think your scores are quite at this level yet, don't fret - just keep working and you'll get there. And remember, this is just a tiny sample of higher education institutions, so if you don't get in it's really not the end of the world. Chances are you'll find another university you'll love.

Which unis are the hardest to get into?
1) Oxford - 601(01 of10)
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Unsurprisingly, Oxford has the highest entrance requirements of any UK university. With an average of 601 UCAS points needed to gain a place, you need four A*s at A level (540) and then another 41 points either from another exam or elsewhere. (credit:dullhunk/Flickr)
2) Cambridge - 571(02 of10)
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Again, 4 A*s at A level plus another 11 points. There's a reason these universities are so hard to get into. (credit:foshie/Flickr)
3) Imperial College London - 566(03 of10)
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At just over the boundary of 4 A* A levels, you might get away with not having those 6 extra points. But then again - places are so competitive, you might not want to risk it. (credit:Cristiano Betta/Flickr)
4) London School of Economics - 532(04 of10)
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Finally, a score under that of 4A*s! But not by much. To be honest, you're probably still going to need 4 A*s to get in here. However you've got another option, as 4 A*s and 1 A at A level comes to 540 points. (credit:SomeDriftwood/Flickr)
5) Durham - 521(05 of10)
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You could definitely get away with 4 A*s and 1 A at A level here, almost comfortably. If that makes you feel any better. (credit:Bods/Flickr)
6) St Andrews - 516(06 of10)
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Comparatively low compared to Oxford, this is well under the 540 points that come from 4 A*s and 4 As. Doesn't mean you can slack off, though. (credit:garethjmsaunders/Flickr)
7) University College London - 500 (07 of10)
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Pretty much the same score is needed here. Keep working, guys. (credit:stevecadman/Flickr)
8) Bristol - 486(08 of10)
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This score is only just over the boundary of 4 As at A Level, which equals 480 points. (credit:James F Clay/Flickr)
9) Edinburgh - 482(09 of10)
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With barely a squeak between this and Bristol, there's little to choose between them in terms of trickiness of getting in. (credit:dun_deagh/Flickr)
10) Warwick - 480(10 of10)
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And finally the bottom of the bunch of this group of extremely competitive universities, Warwick comes in with a minimum of 4 As at A Level. (credit:Ian Halsey/Flickr)
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