Some unis are hard to get into because the grades are sky-high. Others are hard because everyone applies, so the competition is brutal.
The Complete University Guide’s 2026 ranking uses an Entry Standards score (max 215) based on the average UCAS Tariff points of students entering each university (so it reflects the points entrants actually arrive with, not just the minimum offer on a course page).
Below are the top universities by CUG Entry Standards (UK League Table 2026), in order.
1) University of Glasgow
215 points
Glasgow is joint top on Entry Standards, but the grade requirements can vary widely by programme. For example, Business & Management may sit around AAB–BBB, while more accelerated/science-heavy routes can push up to A*AA (with Maths). So “hard to get into” here often depends on which subject area you’re aiming for as some are seriously competitive.
1) University of St Andrews
215 points
St Andrews sits right at the top for Entry Standards, meaning the average entrant profile is extremely high. Typical offers often fall in the ABB to A*A*A range at A-level, and around 36–38 points in the IB (depending on the degree). It’s also the kind of place where strong academic consistency matters and not just one great grade, but a solid overall profile.
3) University of Cambridge
206 points
Cambridge is famously selective, and most successful applicants are looking at a typical offer of A*A*A at A-level (and 40–42 points in the IB with very high Higher Level grades). On top of grades, Cambridge courses often include extra assessment (like written work, admissions assessments, and interviews), so it’s very much a “whole application” process.
4) University of Oxford
203 points
Oxford usually asks for AAA to A*AA at A-level (depending on the course) and typically 38–40 points in the IB with strong HL results. What makes Oxford especially competitive is that many courses require admissions tests plus interviews, so you’re being assessed on academic potential and performance under pressure and not just predicted grades.
4) University of Strathclyde
203 points
Strathclyde might surprise people here! but its Entry Standards score reflects some very high-performing intakes. Offers vary by course, but Strathclyde Business School’s guidance shows A-level expectations commonly around ABB–BBB depending on the programme and applicant profile.
A.K.A. it’s not an Oxbridge-style entry, but some pathways are much more selective than people assume.
6) Imperial College London
202 points
Imperial is intensely competitive and strongly STEM-focused, with many degrees asking for A*AA to A*A*A at A-level and around 38–39 points in the IB (often with Maths/Physics/Chemistry requirements depending on the course). If you’re applying, the subject fit really matters and the strongest candidates usually have both top grades and deep strength in the required subjects.
7) University of Edinburgh
197 scores
Edinburgh is selective, and it’s very open about having a standard entry requirement “range” (often around AAA to ABB, depending on the programme). It also publishes minimum entry requirements (e.g., ABB at A-level and around 34 IB points as a baseline), but competitive courses can sit well above the minimum.
8) London School of Economics (LSE)
187 scores
For many applicants, LSE is the dream for economics, politics, and social sciences. It is one of the toughest places to get into for social sciences and it’s not just about grades. Typical offers commonly sit around A*AA/AAA at A-level and 37–39 points in the IB, and competitive applicants usually show serious academic “fit” (strong subject choices, evidence of interest, and a very sharp personal statement).
9) University of Dundee
185 scores
Dundee’s overall Entry Standards are boosted by highly selective professional degrees. For example, Medicine typically asks for AAA including Chemistry plus another science, and Dentistry commonly requires AAA including Biology and Chemistry, which is exactly the kind of intake profile that drives up Entry Standards. Other degrees may have lower offers, so always check the course page.
10) University of Aberdeen
184 scores
A historic university with strong demand in several areas and consistently high entrant tariffs. Aberdeen combines broad-access degrees with very competitive ones, which creates an interesting mix. Medicine typically looks for AAA with Chemistry required, and engineering/science pathways can have specific subject requirements too (often Maths/Physics). If you’re applying, double-check both the grades and the required subjects.
11) Durham University
181 scores
A top-tier reputation and a very popular student experience. Durham is consistently one of the UK’s most selective universities, with many courses clustering around AAA to A*AA-type offers. Even within a single department, offers can differ by degree route (for example, Geography commonly shows A*AA for BA and AAA/A*AB for BSc), so the exact requirement depends on the course structure.
12) University College London (UCL)
173 scores
UCL publishes one of the clearest university-wide snapshots: standard offers sit in the A*A*A–ABB range, and it notes a benchmark entry level of ABB at A-level. Many programmes also expect GCSE English and Maths (or equivalents), and then course-level subject preferences on top.
12) University of Bath
173 scores
Bath is selective, and many programmes expect top grades plus a strong GCSE profile. As an example, Bath’s Management degree lists a typical offer of AAA or A*AB, and the IB route expects 36 points with strong Higher Level performance.
12) University of Bristol
173 scores
A major Russell Group choice. Bristol is a great example of how entry standards can be high even when requirements vary by course. Business & Management lists AAA/A*AB, Law often asks for A*AA (or A*A*B), and Computer Science typically requires A*AA including A* in Maths. So we could say that the “hardest” offers are concentrated in certain departments.
12) Heriot-Watt University
173 scores
Heriot-Watt’s high entry standards reflect strong applicant profiles in key areas (especially engineering, built environment, and business-related routes). Requirements vary by programme, so check the exact subject and grade mix as some pathways are significantly more competitive than others.
12) University of Stirling
173 scores
Stirling’s international guidance shows a baseline minimum around BBC at A-level for most courses, but in practice, competitive programmes can be higher and selection can depend heavily on subjects and applicant context. If you’re close to the boundary, it’s worth checking whether the course has additional subject requirements (and whether you qualify for a contextual route).
17) Glasgow Caledonian University
172 scores
GCU’s Entry Standards ranking reflects that some courses attract strong applicant profiles. For example, its Business Management course lists a standard entry profile around AAB, with a minimum route around BBB (plus other qualification pathways).
In other words: there are multiple ways in, but strong grades still put you in the best position.
18) University of Warwick
168 scores
Warwick is very competitive in certain areas (especially business, economics, maths, and related subjects). As a concrete example, Accounting & Finance lists a typical offer of A*AA including Maths, and Warwick states a university minimum of passes in GCSE English Language and Maths (or equivalents).
18) King’s College London (KCL)
168 scores
KCL entry requirements vary by course, but competitive programmes can be seriously demanding. For instance, Business Management lists A*AA at A-level, including a grade A in a Humanities or Social Science subject.
20) University of Manchester
166 scores
Manchester rounds out the top 20 and is selective across many departments. The university’s general guidance notes that most degrees ask for at least AAA–ABB at A-level, but competitive courses (especially those with required subjects) can sit higher. It’s a great example of a university where course choice really determines how tough the offer will be.
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