University of Warwick for Chinese Applicants: High School Graduates Need a Foundation Year, CEIS Route from 80% in the Gaokao, First Year at a Chinese University Plus Tier 1 Gaokao for Direct Entry

The University of Warwick's entry requirements page for applicants from mainland China sets out several routes into its undergraduate degrees. As at most leading UK universities, regular high school graduates cannot enter a degree directly and need to complete a foundation programme first, such as the Warwick International Foundation Programme.

Route 1: CEIS (China Excellence Identification Scheme)

For high-calibre students applying through Ameson's CEIS, Warwick's typical minimum requirements are (AST refers to the CEIS tests in English, maths and physics):

• Courses without essential subjects: 80% overall in the gaokao, with 210 in each of AST English, Maths and Physics.
• Courses with maths as an essential subject: 80% overall in the gaokao, 210 in AST English and 230 in each of AST Maths and Physics.
• Courses with a high maths requirement: 85% overall in the gaokao, 210 in AST English and 230 in each of AST Maths and Physics.
• Courses with another essential subject: 80% overall in the gaokao including 85% in that subject, with 210 in each of AST English, Maths and Physics.

Route 2: First year of a Chinese bachelor's degree plus the gaokao

Students who have completed the first year of a bachelor's degree in China with excellent grades and reached the Tier 1 gaokao cut-off may be eligible for direct entry to Year 1 at Warwick. Only universities on Warwick's list are considered (including Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Zhejiang and Nanjing). Requirements map to A-Level offers:

• A*AA: 85% in the gaokao and 85% or higher in the first year (depending on the university), with 85% in specific gaokao subjects.
• AAA: 85% in the gaokao and 83% or higher in the first year (depending on the university), with 85% in specific gaokao subjects.
• AAB: 80% in the gaokao and 83% or higher in the first year (depending on the university), with 80% in specific gaokao subjects.
• ABB: 80% in the gaokao and 80% or higher in the first year (depending on the university), with 80% in specific gaokao subjects.
• Courses requiring A*A*A do not accept this route.

Route 3: Maple Leaf World Schools Program

Maple Leaf graduates are assessed on the average of five Grade 12 academic courses: 89% for A*A*A, 87% for A*AA, 85% for AAA, 83% for AAB and 81% for ABB, excluding Personal and Global Leadership 12, Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving 12 and Moral Education 12.

Advice for students and families

• These are typical minimum requirements; meeting them does not guarantee an offer. Check each course page for details.
• Students at regular Chinese high schools who want direct entry to Warwick could consider preparing A-Level or IB alongside, or weigh the CEIS and first-year-in-China routes.
• Warwick undergraduate applications generally go through UCAS; the main deadline for 2027 entry is January 13, 2027.

Sources: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/countryinformation/eastasia/china/china-entry-requirements/. Check the official sources for the latest policy.