The University of Sheffield accepts a number of different qualifications from China. Some of the most common are listed below. If your qualification is not listed here, please contact us.
OnEnglish language requirementsAll applicants are required to have an internationally recognised English language qualification such as IELTS. The minimum score that is accepted for entry is IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for undergraduate study and 6.5 for postgraduate study. Some departments may require a higher score.
English language entry requirements - find out more
English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC)For those applicants who do not currently have the necessary English language requirements, the University of Sheffield is able to offer a number of English language courses at our English Language Teaching Centre.
Undergraduate Programmes e.g. BSc, BA, BEng/ MEngA variety of qualifications can be considered for direct admission to undergraduate bachelor degree programmes. All applications for undergraduate programmes should be made through UCAS.
Visit the UCAS website for more information
GaokaoWe accept the Gaokao Science Pathway or New Gaokao (with Physics, Chemistry and Biology) with an overall score of 80% + an average of 80% overall in the completed Senior High School Graduation Certificate. Where a course has a GCSE and/or subject specific requirements at A Level we will ask for an equivalent score from the Gaokao subject papers or from Senior High School study. This will usually be a score of 80% in the required subject.
Province
Total maximum score
80% average score
Maximum mathematics score
80% Mathematics score
Integrated Paper(s)
80% subject score
Anhui 安徽
750
600
150
120
300
240
Beijing 北京
750
600
150
120
300
240
Chongqing 重庆
750
600
150
120
300
240
Fujian 福建
750
600
150
120
300
240
Gansu 甘肃
750
600
150
120
300
240
Guangdong 广东
750
600
150
120
300
240
Guangxi 广西
750
600
150
120
300
240
Guizhou 贵州
750
600
150
120
300
240
Hai'nan 海南
750 (900 if including 150 Huikao score)*
600 (720 if including 150 Huikao score)*
150
120
Please contact us
Please contact us
Hebei 河北
750
600
150
120
300
240
Heilongjiang
黑龙江
750
600
150
120
300
240
He'nan 河南
750
600
150
120
300
240
Hubei 湖北
750
600
150
120
300
240
Hu'nan 湖南
750
600
150
120
300
240
Inner Mongolia
内蒙古
750
600
150
120
300
240
Jiangsu
江苏
480
384
160
128
240
192
Jiangxi 江西
750
600
150
120
300
240
Jilin 吉林
750
600
150
120
300
240
Liaoning 辽宁
750
600
150
120
300
240
Ningxia 宁夏
750
600
150
120
300
240
Qinghai 青海
750
600
150
120
300
240
Shandong
山东
750
600
150
120
300
240
Shanghai
上海
660
528
150
120
Please contact us
Please contact us
Shanxi 陕西
750
600
150
120
300
240
Shanxi 山西
750
600
150
120
300
240
Sichuan 四川
750
600
150
120
300
240
Tianjin 天津
750
600
150
120
300
240
Tibet 西藏
750
600
150
120
300
240
Xinjiang 新疆
750
600
150
120
300
240
Yunnan 云南
772
618
150
120
Please contact us
Please contact us
Zhejiang 浙江
810 (Tier1)
648
150
120
Please contact us
Please contact us
Chinese Senior High School Certificate (高中毕业证)Applicants who have successfully completed the 3 year Chinese Senior High School Certificate (高中毕业证) will need to complete a recognised Foundation programme (预科) to be considered for entry into the first year of undergraduate programmes. Please contact the China Team to check if the Foundation Programme (预科) that you are considering is acceptable for entry.
Undergraduate pathway programmes at the University of Sheffield International CollegeThe University of Sheffield International College provides International Foundation Year programmes specifically for international students who want to progress to the University of Sheffield. Upon successful completion, students can progress to an undergraduate degree.
Students can choose to study an International Foundation Year in the following subjects:
International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities International Foundation Year in Science and EngineeringProspective students from China can visit the University of Sheffield International College Chinese website for more information.
Northern Consortium UK (NCUK)The University is a member of the Northern Consortium (NCUK) which offers an International Foundation Year (IFY) and International Year One (IYOne) across China.
Students who have completed the IFY programme and have obtained the required grades will be considered for admission into the first year of undergraduate programmes. Students who complete the IYOne, upon successful completion, can apply to enter the second year of a wide range of degree courses.
Visit the NCUK website to find out more.
First Year University Degree StudentsApplicants who have successfully completed the first year of a Chinese university bachelor degree (standard four-year course) will be considered for entry into the first year of undergraduate programmes.
Chinese Three Year University Diploma (大专)Applicants holding a three year university diploma will be considered for direct entry into the second year of University of Sheffield undergraduate courses.
A LevelApplicants with a minimum of 3 A levels will be considered for direct admission to undergraduate programmes.
International BaccalaureateInternational Baccalaureate diploma holders will be considered for direct admission to undergraduate programmes.
Aptitude Scholastic Test (AST)Applicants who have taken three ASTs and achieved marks of 200 in each subject, can be considered for first year entry to our BA Economics (L100) course and scores of 210 for first year entry to courses within the Management School. Applicants must also be completing, or have completed the 3 year Chinese Senior High School Certificate with good marks. Entry to other courses (excluding Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Dentistry programmes) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Postgraduate Taught Programmes e.g. MA, MScSearch for a postgraduate course
Chinese University Degree HoldersYou will usually need a 4 year bachelors degree from a recognised university in a relevant subject for entry. Most postgraduate courses require a UK 2:1 (or equivalent) for entry, but some courses may consider 2:2 grades. Please see our course finder for specific course requirements.
The score required will depend on the university you have attended and the course to which you have applied.
UK degree classificationInternational equivalent (China)First class Honours80 - 93%, depending on institution2:1 (Upper Second Class Honours)75 - 88%, depending on institution2:2 (Lower Second Class Honours)70 - 83%, depending on institutionFor Entry to MBAHolders of a good bachelor degree from a recognised Chinese university and at least 3 years post-graduation work experience in a relevant position will be considered for direct admission to the MBA.
For further information on the MBA programme
Postgraduate pathways at the University of Sheffield International CollegeThe University of Sheffield International College provides Pre-Masters programmes specifically for international students who want to progress to the University of Sheffield. Upon successful completion, students can progress to a postgraduate degree.
Students can choose to study an Pre-Masters in the following subjects:
Pre-Masters in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities Pre-Masters in Science and EngineeringProspective students from China can visit the University of Sheffield International College Chinese website for more information.
International pathways at the Northern Consortium UK (NCUK)The University is a member of the Northern Consortium (NCUK) which offers pre-masters courses in centres across China.
Visit the NCUK website to find out more.
For Entry to Postgraduate Research Programmes e.g. MPhil, PhD, PhD with Integrated MastersWith around 2,000 postgraduate research students from over 100 different countries, Sheffield is one of the leading centres for research training in the UK.
Search for a research area
Chinese Masters Degree HoldersYou will usually need a bachelors degree AND a masters degree from a recognised university in a relevant subject for entry. Some courses may consider a bachelors degree on its own if it is combined with relevant research experience. Please see our departmental web pages for specific course requirements.