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Is my school certificate enough? Entry to a bachelor’s degree abroad

How universities abroad look at a school leaving certificate such as the Cypriot or Greek Apolytirio, A levels or the IB, and when you need a foundation year first.

By the Studies Multiverse team · checked 26 September 2026 against each official page · how we check

The rule everywhere: the university decides

  • UK: UCAS keeps no master list of accepted qualifications. Each university sets its own entry criteria, so ask its admissions team.Source: ucas.com, checked 26 September 2026
  • Netherlands: Nuffic’s evaluation of a foreign diploma is advice; the institution makes the final decision.Source: studyinnl.org, checked 26 September 2026
  • Germany: anabin’s assessments are not binding; each university decides.Source: anabin2.kmk.org, checked 26 September 2026

The Cypriot and Greek Apolytirio

  • UK example, Cyprus: the University of Edinburgh asks for the Apolytirio plus two A levels, and does not accept the Apolytirio alone for medicine.Source: ed.ac.uk, 12 November 2024
  • UK example, Cyprus: the University of Surrey accepts the Apolytirio alone for direct entry at a high enough grade, with a foundation route for lower grades. Two universities, two different answers: always check the one you want.Source: surrey.ac.uk, checked 26 September 2026
  • UK example, Greece: the University of Edinburgh asks for the Apolytirio plus three Panhellenic exams, or plus two A levels.Source: ed.ac.uk, 12 November 2024
  • Germany, Cyprus: through uni-assist, applicants send the Apolytirio with the Pancyprian exam results.Source: uni-assist.de, checked 26 September 2026
  • Germany, Greece: applicants send the Apolytirio; for exams taken in 2021 or earlier, also the Ministry’s confirmation of the Panhellenic results.Source: uni-assist.de, checked 26 September 2026
  • Netherlands, Cyprus: Nuffic compares the Apolytirio with HAVO below a 15 out of 20 average and with VWO at 15 or above.Source: nuffic.nl, checked 26 September 2026
  • Netherlands, Greece: HAVO below a 10 average, VWO at 10 or above.Source: nuffic.nl, checked 26 September 2026
  • Ireland: the CAO has accepted the Cypriot Apolytirio since 2010 and scores it on the overall mark.Source: www2.cao.ie, 1 November 2025
  • Spain: students from EU school systems, including Cyprus and Greece, do not need homologación; they apply through UNEDasiss and may sit optional subject exams to raise their admission score.Source: unedasiss.uned.es, checked 26 September 2026

A levels and the IB

  • Germany: since the summer semester 2024, A levels give access with four subjects at grade C or above, including a language and maths, a science or informatics; GCSEs do not count.Source: daad.de, checked 26 September 2026
  • Germany: the IB Diploma is recognised under a KMK agreement, with conditions such as Maths at least at Standard Level.Source: kmk.org, 15 June 2023
  • UK: offers for the IB Diploma usually give an overall points score plus points in Higher Level subjects.Source: qips.ucas.com, checked 26 September 2026

When you need a foundation year

  • In the UK, foundation and pathway courses prepare students who miss a course’s academic or English entry requirements. Whether you need one is set by each university.Source: study-uk.britishcouncil.org, checked 26 September 2026
  • In Germany, a certificate that does not give direct access leads to a Studienkolleg, usually one year, ending in the Feststellungsprüfung (qualifying exam).Source: anabin2.kmk.org, checked 26 September 2026

Applying from inside and outside the EU

  • France: EU citizens apply through Parcoursup. Students from outside the EU with a foreign diploma apply for the first year through the DAP procedure, via Études en France in the countries it covers.Source: campusfrance.org, checked 26 September 2026
  • Italy: EU citizens enrol on the same terms as Italians. Students from outside the EU who need a visa pre-apply on Universitaly.Source: universitaly.it, checked 26 September 2026

Questions

Is the Cypriot Apolytirio accepted in the UK?

It depends on the university. Some accept it alone at a high grade, others ask for A levels as well, and medicine usually asks for more. Check the entry page of each university you apply to.

Rules change. Every line above links to the official page it comes from; read it before you act, and tell us if something has changed: report a correction.

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