Guide · Maths AA or AI
IB Maths AA or AI: which course your degree needs
In Germany only the level counts: Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation are treated the same, but maths at SL closes maths, science and technology degrees. ETH Zurich and EPFL need maths at HL, either course. TU Delft accepts only AA at HL. In the UK, Cambridge and LSE expect AA at HL for courses that need maths, while Imperial and many economics courses accept AI at HL.
Where do you want to study?
Your options
Keeps every door open here: AA HL
- AA HLAccepted
The safe choice: Cambridge and LSE expect AA at HL for maths-heavy courses.
- AI HLDepends on the university
Imperial accepts AI at HL for Mathematics (AA preferred); Cambridge and LSE's maths degrees expect AA.
- AA SLNot accepted
Maths-heavy degrees at selective universities ask for maths at HL.
- AI SLNot accepted
Maths-heavy degrees at selective universities ask for maths at HL.
What universities ask for in IB maths
The published rules behind the chooser above, each linked to its source. Individual courses can ask for more.
| Country | University | IB maths rule |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | KMK (all German universities) | AA and AI count the same. HL: general university access. SL: no maths, science or technology degrees, unless the school is in Annex 1 or 2. Medicine, pharmacy, psychology, law and economics stay open. |
| Switzerland | swissuniversities (cantonal universities) | AA or AI, at SL or HL (2026/27). |
| ETH Zurich | AA or AI at HL (HS2026 list; changes planned from autumn 2028, details expected in spring 2027). | |
| EPFL | AA or AI at HL with at least a 6 (5 for Swiss applicants and residents). | |
| Austria | University of Vienna | Maths is required, AA or AI, at either level. |
| Netherlands | TU Delft (all bachelor's programmes) | Only Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL is accepted; many programmes also need Physics HL. |
| University of Groningen | Econometrics: AA HL. Economics and Business, Medicine: AA at SL or HL, or AI at HL. | |
| United Kingdom | University of Cambridge | Courses that need maths expect AA HL. Medicine, Natural Sciences (Biological) and Psychological and Behavioural Sciences: AA recommended, AI considered. |
| LSE | AA HL required for the maths-heavy degrees (e.g. Mathematics and Economics, Data Science); AA preferred but AI considered for Economics and Finance. | |
| Imperial College (Mathematics, 2027) | AA or AI at HL accepted, AA preferred; 7 in HL maths. | |
| Warwick, Bristol, Manchester, Exeter (Economics, 2027) | Warwick: 6 in HL maths, AA or AI. Bristol: 6 at HL or 7 in AA SL. Manchester: maths among 6,6,6 at HL. Exeter: 5 at HL or 6 at SL, AA or AI. |
Germany: the level decides, not the course
The KMK agreement treats both maths courses as equal. Maths at HL gives general university access. Maths at SL only gives subject-restricted access: computer science, engineering, industrial engineering, architecture and the sciences stay closed. Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, psychology, law, economics, social sciences and humanities stay open. The exception is a school listed in Annex 1 or 2 of the agreement. All the conditions and your German grade
Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands
- Swiss cantonal universities: AA or AI, at SL or HL.
- ETH Zurich and EPFL: maths at HL, AA or AI. EPFL asks for at least a 6, or a 5 for Swiss applicants.
- University of Vienna: maths must be one of your subjects; course and level are open.
- TU Delft: only Analysis and Approaches at HL, for every bachelor's programme, often with Physics at HL as well.
- Groningen: Econometrics needs AA at HL; economics, business and medicine accept AA at SL or HL, or AI at HL.
New maths courses from 2027
The IB is revising both maths courses: first teaching in August 2027, first exams in May 2029. The rules on this page are for the current courses. Universities have not yet published rules for the new ones; we will update this page when they do.
Questions about Maths AA and AI
Should I take IB Math AA or AI?
It depends on the degree and the country. For maths-heavy degrees at Cambridge, LSE or TU Delft, take AA at HL. In Germany the course does not matter but the level does: SL closes maths, science and technology degrees.
IB Math AA or AI for medicine?
Cambridge recommends AA and considers AI for Medicine. Groningen accepts AA at SL or HL, or AI at HL. In Germany either course at either level works for medicine.
Do German universities accept Maths AI?
Yes, on the same terms as AA. What matters is the level: at SL you cannot study maths, science or technology degrees unless your school is on the KMK list.
Does TU Delft accept Maths AI?
No. TU Delft only accepts Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at HL.
Do I need maths HL for ETH Zurich?
Yes. ETH Zurich asks for maths at HL, AA or AI. The Swiss cantonal universities also accept SL.
A few more points to find?
Our tutors know the IB from the inside and work on the subjects where your next points are easiest to find.
Get matched with a tutorSources
- KMK (all German universities)
- swissuniversities (cantonal universities)
- ETH Zurich
- EPFL
- University of Vienna
- TU Delft (all bachelor's programmes)
- University of Groningen
- University of Cambridge
- LSE
- Imperial College (Mathematics, 2027)
- Warwick, Bristol, Manchester, Exeter (Economics, 2027)
- IB, mathematics curriculum update
Last checked 8 November 2026.