IGCSE to University in Jordan: The Tawjihi Equivalency Explained (2026)
If you're studying IGCSE and A-Levels in Jordan and hoping to go to a Jordanian university, there's one step that decides everything — and most students only discover it late: the Tawjihi equivalency (mu'adalat al-thanawiyya / معادلة الثانوية). Your IGCSE grades don't go to Jordanian universities directly; they're first converted by the Ministry of Higher Education into a Tawjihi-equivalent percentage. This guide explains exactly how it works, what subjects and grades you need, and how the score is calculated.
- To enter a Jordanian university with IGCSE, you need a Tawjihi equivalency from the Ministry of Higher Education.
- Typical requirement: 6 IGCSE/O-Level subjects + 2 A-Level subjects (8 total).
- Each grade converts to a percentage; your equivalency is the average of the 8 subjects.
- Competitive fields (medicine, engineering) usually need ~85%+. Non-Tawjihi students compete under a limited quota for public universities.
What is Tawjihi equivalency — and why you need it
Tawjihi is Jordan's national secondary-school certificate, and it's the currency Jordanian universities use for admission. If you sat IGCSE/A-Levels instead, the Ministry of Higher Education converts your foreign qualification into a Tawjihi-equivalent grade so you can compete for a university place. Without this equivalency, you can't be admitted to a Jordanian university (or use the certificate for many local purposes).
The subject requirements
The standard IGCSE pathway to equivalency looks like this:
| Qualification | How many | Accepted grades |
|---|---|---|
| IGCSE / O-Level / GCSE | 6 subjects | A*, A, B, C, D |
| A-Level (or AS) | 2 subjects | A, B, C, D, E |
How your equivalency percentage is calculated
Each letter grade is assigned a numerical value, and your equivalency is the average across all 8 subjects. Approximate values commonly used (confirm the official current ones):
| Grade | Approx. value |
|---|---|
| A* | ~98–100 |
| A | ~95 |
| B | ~85 |
| C | ~75 |
| D | ~65 |
| E (A-Level only) | ~55 |
What score do you actually need?
- Competitive majors — medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering — generally need a high equivalency, often around 85% or above (medicine much higher in practice).
- The quota: students admitted via equivalency (rather than sitting Tawjihi) compete for a limited percentage of public-university seats, so the effective bar can be higher than the raw minimum. Private universities are generally more flexible.
- Aim high on purpose: because of the quota and the 8-subject average, treat ~90%+ as the safe target for competitive programmes.
2026 update: the restructured Tawjihi
Jordan restructured its Tawjihi system starting in the 2024–2025 academic year, with the first cohort graduating under the new system in 2026. If you're an IGCSE student, the equivalency framework you're measured against sits alongside these changes — one more reason to confirm the current rules directly rather than relying on older guidance from previous years.
How to get your equivalency (the process)
- Collect your official certificatesYour IGCSE/O-Level and A-Level statements of results from Cambridge/Edexcel.
- Check the current requirementsConfirm subject count, accepted grades and any required subjects with the Ministry of Higher Education for your intended major.
- Submit for equivalencyApply through the Ministry's equivalency process (your school's counsellor can guide you). There are fees and processing time — start early.
- Apply to universities with your equivalency gradeUse the converted percentage for admission, keeping the competitive thresholds and quota in mind.
How to hit the grades you need
Since your equivalency is an average of 8 subjects, every grade counts — and the most reliable way to lift grades is real past-paper practice, marked against the scheme.
FAQ
Can I get into a Jordanian university with IGCSE instead of Tawjihi?
How many subjects do I need?
How is my equivalency grade calculated?
What percentage do I need for medicine or engineering?
The Tawjihi equivalency is the bridge between your IGCSE results and a Jordanian university place — plan for it early, confirm the current official rules, and push every one of your 8 subjects as high as it will go.
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