IB Diploma · Oxford and Cambridge
Oxford and Cambridge both accept the IB Diploma, but they do not treat its Mathematics courses in the same way, and neither sets one rule for every course. Oxford accepts both Mathematics courses at Higher Level for most courses that require Mathematics, with Chemistry as the exception. Cambridge asks for Analysis and Approaches for several courses and recommends it for others. This guide is written for IB students planning 2028 entry. Everything cycle-specific in it is the universities' wording for the 2027 application cycle, last verified on 20 October 2026, because neither has yet published its 2028-entry requirements.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
Taken from the University of Oxford's international qualifications page and the course pages named, and from the University of Cambridge's course pages, and last verified on 20 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every statement is last verified for the previous cycle and may change. Courses not named here were not read for this guide: check the course's own page.
Oxford asks for a total of 38, 39 or 40 points depending on the course, including core points, with 6s and 7s in the Higher Level subjects. It does not accept the IB Career-related Programme.
Oxford says that courses that require Mathematics will accept both IB Mathematics courses at Higher Level, apart from Chemistry, and that where a course only recommends Mathematics either course is acceptable.
For Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Economics, Cambridge says that if you are studying IB it asks for Analysis and Approaches. For Natural Sciences (Physical) it expects Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level, while for Natural Sciences (Biological) and Veterinary Medicine it recommends it for the most competitive application but will also consider Applications and Interpretation.
For Computer Science the minimum IB offer is 41–42 points with 776 at Higher Level. Colleges set their own offers, so read the College pages for those you shortlist.
Official sources
Last verified on 20 October 2026 for 2027 entry, on the pages named above. Where a page gives a range or says Colleges differ, that is stated rather than resolved. The IB Organization's own syllabus pages were not read, so this guide does not describe IB course content.
The Mathematics choice
The two IB Mathematics courses are treated differently by the two universities, and the difference depends on the course you apply for. It is better to settle the course shortlist first and then read each page's exact wording.
Oxford's international qualifications page says that courses that state they require Mathematics accept both courses at Higher Level, apart from Chemistry, and that where Mathematics is only recommended either course is acceptable.
Chemistry accepts Higher Level Mathematics, with 766 at Higher Level, 7 in Chemistry and 6 in Mathematics. With Standard Level Mathematics it needs 776 at Higher Level, 7s in Chemistry and a second Higher Level science, and 7 in Standard Level Analysis and Approaches. Do not read this as a rejection of Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level: it is a rule about the Standard Level route.
Cambridge uses three different verbs. For Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Economics it asks for Analysis and Approaches. For Natural Sciences (Physical) applicants taking Higher Level Mathematics are expected to take it. For Natural Sciences (Biological) and Veterinary Medicine it is recommended for the most competitive application, though Applications and Interpretation will also be considered.
For Computer Science Cambridge says to contact your shortlisted Colleges for advice. Do that early and keep the reply, since it is the College that will tell you whether you can apply.
Reading the points
Both universities set the total and the Higher Level pattern course by course, and the position of the 7 matters.
39 points including core with 766 at Higher Level, and the 7 in Higher Level Mathematics.
39 points including core with 766 at Higher Level, with the 7 in either Physics or Mathematics.
40 points including core with 776 at Higher Level, with 7s in Higher Level Mathematics and Physics.
For Computer Science the minimum is 41–42 points with 776 at Higher Level. Colleges set their own offers, so read the Colleges you shortlist.
Choosing your subjects
IB subjects are chosen two years before the application, so the order matters: list the courses you might apply to, read each page's wording for Mathematics and the Higher Level subjects, and only then choose between Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation.
Planning for 2028 entry
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules neither university has published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means the university published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means it has not yet been published.
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Neither university has confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Check each course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear, and the Cambridge College pages for College-specific offers.
Choose Higher Level subjects with the course shortlist in view, read each course's wording on Mathematics, and ask the Colleges early if your school does not offer Analysis and Approaches.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor working within one advisory plan. Support is tailored to the student, and no outcome is promised.
Questions
For courses that require Mathematics, Oxford says both IB Mathematics courses are accepted at Higher Level, apart from Chemistry. For courses that only recommend Mathematics, either is acceptable. This is Oxford's wording for the 2027 application cycle.
For Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Economics Cambridge says it asks for Analysis and Approaches. For Natural Sciences (Biological) and Veterinary Medicine it recommends it for the most competitive application but will consider Applications and Interpretation as well.
For Computer Science Cambridge says to contact your shortlisted Colleges for advice. Ask early and keep their reply.
No. Oxford says it does not accept the IB Career-related Programme.
No. They are the universities' wording for the 2027 application cycle. Neither has yet published its 2028-entry requirements, so check each course page again when they appear.
Students and families
Tell us which courses the student is considering, which IB Mathematics course and Higher Level subjects the school offers, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to plan the subjects.
