39 to 40 points depending on the course
Oxford asks for a total of 38, 39 or 40 IB points including core points, with 6s and 7s at Higher Level.
A-level and IB planning · Oxford
Oxford Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences: IB Higher Level subjects
Oxford's four large science degrees ask for 39 or 40 IB points but name different Higher Level subjects. Biology wants Biology plus Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics with a 7 in HL Mathematics or a science, Biochemistry names 7 in HL Chemistry, Chemistry asks for 40 points and sets precise rules for IB Mathematics, and Biomedical Sciences needs two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at Higher Level. The decision for an IB student is which Higher Level subjects to take, and which degree the combination points to.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Oxford asks for in science degrees and IB Higher Level subjects
Taken from Oxford's international qualifications page and its Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences course pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Oxford's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
Biology: Biology plus a second subject
Biology and either Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics are required, with 7 in HL Mathematics or a science.
Biochemistry: Chemistry first
The IB standard names 7 in HL Chemistry and 6 in two other relevant subjects at HL or SL.
Chemistry: IB Mathematics rules
Chemistry asks for 40 points, and IB Mathematics at SL is acceptable only for Analysis and Approaches.
Biomedical Sciences: two sciences or Mathematics
Candidates need two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at Higher Level.
Official sources
- University of Oxford: International qualifications (undergraduate admissions requirements)ox.ac.uk
- University of Oxford: Biology (undergraduate course page)ox.ac.uk
- University of Oxford: Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) (undergraduate course page)ox.ac.uk
- University of Oxford: Chemistry (undergraduate course page)ox.ac.uk
- University of Oxford: Biomedical Sciences (undergraduate course page)ox.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Oxford's international qualifications page and its Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences course pages, which describes 2027 entry. Oxford's admissions statistics pages, individual College requirements, the admission-test pages, fees and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The decision
The Higher Level pair decides the degree
Oxford's international qualifications page says all courses that require Mathematics accept both IB Mathematics courses at Higher Level, apart from Chemistry, which has its own rule. Beyond that the four science degrees differ in which two Higher Level subjects they name. Biology needs Biology and a second science or Mathematics; Biochemistry needs Chemistry, recommended with Mathematics; Chemistry needs Chemistry and Mathematics; Biomedical Sciences needs two from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Oxford does not accept the IB Career-related Programme.
Which degree?
Choosing by subject mix
Avandy's comparison is general and does not predict outcomes.
If you take Biology and Chemistry at HL
Biology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences are all possible, with different grade profiles.
If you take Chemistry and Mathematics
Chemistry is the course that names this pair; check the SL and HL Mathematics rules.
Compare the full guides
Avandy's Oxford Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences guides cover each degree.
Entry rules
A-level equivalents and IB points
For A level, Biology asks for A*AA with Biology and a second subject, and Chemistry asks for A*A*A including Chemistry and Mathematics. The IB totals are 39 for Biology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and 40 for Chemistry, with the Higher Level subjects above. This page states no admissions-test scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Oxford's.
Which two Higher Level subjects are you taking?
They decide which degrees are open.
Are you taking Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation?
Chemistry treats them differently at SL.
Is a 7 in the key subject realistic?
Biochemistry names 7 in HL Chemistry.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Oxford has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Oxford published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Oxford has not yet published it.
IB totals, Higher Level subjects and the IB Mathematics rules: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline, admissions-test dates and interview dates: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Oxford's course pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Choose your Higher Level subjects, then read the course page of the degree they point to.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford 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 to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means subject-choice advice and ethical test and interview preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
How many IB points do Oxford's science degrees ask for?
39 for Biology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and 40 for Chemistry, including core points, in Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
Which Higher Level subjects does Biology want?
Biology and either Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, with 7 in HL Mathematics or a science.
Can I take Mathematics at Standard Level for Chemistry?
Oxford says a 7 in Mathematics at SL is acceptable only where students have taken Analysis and Approaches.
Does Biomedical Sciences require Chemistry?
It needs two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at Higher Level, not Chemistry specifically.
Does Oxford accept the IB Career-related Programme?
No. Oxford says the University does not accept it.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Oxford's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course pages again when Oxford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Oxford science degrees and IB Higher Level subjects
Tell us about the student's curriculum, which science and Mathematics subjects they will take at Higher Level and which of the four Oxford science degrees that points to, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.