University of Birmingham Accepts the Gaokao for Direct Undergraduate Entry: 80% Overall (600/750), 85% High School Average, £5,000 Scholarship for Chinese Students

The University of Birmingham's China page states that it accepts students who have completed the gaokao for direct entry to its undergraduate degrees, describing itself as the first Russell Group university to announce it would accept gaokao results.

Entry requirements

• Gaokao: At least 80% overall (as a percentage); where A-Level maths is required, at least 80% in gaokao mathematics.
• High school: A Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate with at least an 85% average across Years 11 and 12, and 85% in relevant subjects where required at A-Level.
• English: The standard undergraduate English requirement for international students; see your programme page for scores.

Scores by province (listed for the 2025 gaokao)

• Provinces scored out of 750 (almost all): 600 overall and 120 in maths (out of 150).
• Shanghai (out of 660): 528 overall and 120 in maths.
• Hainan: 600 out of 750, or 720 out of 900 when the Huikao score is included.

If you miss the gaokao requirement

Holders of a Chinese high school certificate who complete a suitable foundation programme with a good performance (80% average or above) are also considered; Birmingham also runs one-year and four-year foundation pathways leading directly to its degrees.

Scholarship for Chinese students

Birmingham's China High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships, for Chinese nationals or China-domiciled students paying overseas fees, were worth £5,000 off first-year tuition for September 2026 entry. Gaokao applicants needed at least 80% overall and an 85% average in Years 11 and 12; Medicine and Dentistry were excluded. Check the university for 2027 arrangements.

Advice for students and families

• Birmingham looks at both gaokao and high school grades, so keep your high school results strong.
• UK undergraduate applications usually go through UCAS, with a main deadline of January 13, 2027 for 2027 entry; since gaokao results come out in June, offers are usually conditional until scores are released.

Sources: Birmingham gaokao entry; Birmingham China page; China High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships. Check the official sources for the latest policy.