SAT Scores for European Universities: 2026 Requirements

A good SAT score depends on the university: 1000–1200 = above average, 1200–1350 = top European universities, 1350–1450 = top 30 US, 1450+ = Ivy League and Bocconi. Below, you’ll find the requirements for 30+ universities, divided into 4 score tiers.

You’re sitting in a café in Krakow, browsing the Politecnico di Milano website, and suddenly you see: “SAT score accepted as an alternative to TOL admission test.” You click further: ETH Zurich, Trinity College Dublin, Stockholm School of Economics. One thought: what SAT score do I actually need to get into a European university? The question seems simple, but the answer is surprisingly complex, because Europe isn’t one system. It’s dozens of universities in a dozen countries, with thresholds ranging from 950 to 1500 points, with superscoring policies that change every year, and with additional requirements (AP Exams, language tests) that can completely alter the picture.

The good news: with the same SAT score, you can get into much higher-ranked universities in Europe than in the USA, and at a fraction of the cost. A score of 1200, which in the States opens doors to average state universities, in Europe gets you Politecnico di Milano (top 150 QS), Erasmus Rotterdam, or Carl Benz School at KIT. And a score of 1300, Technical University of Munich with zero tuition fees, one of the best technical universities in the world.

In this guide, you’ll find specific SAT requirements for over 30 European universities, a breakdown into 4 score tiers with colorful opportunity maps, an analysis of differences between countries, a preparation strategy tailored to your goal, and answers to questions every Polish high school graduate planning to study on the continent asks themselves. All based on official university data from January 2026.

Why do European universities accept the SAT?

Before we dive into specific scores, it’s worth understanding why European universities use the SAT at all. After all, the SAT is an American exam, created by the College Board for students applying to universities in the USA. What compelled European universities to include it in their admissions process?

The answer is pragmatic. Europe has dozens of different education systems: the Polish Matura exam (high school diploma), the German Abitur, the French baccalauréat, the Finnish ylioppilastutkinto. When a university in Milan receives applications from students from 80 countries, it needs a common metric to compare all candidates on equal terms. The SAT provides this standardization; 1300 points from Poland means exactly the same as 1300 from Brazil, India, or Nigeria.

The second reason is simplified recruitment. Many universities, especially in Italy, have their own admission tests (TOLC, TOL, Bocconi test), but accept the SAT as an alternative. For a Polish high school graduate, this is fantastic news – instead of preparing for several different tests, you take one SAT exam and send the score to many universities simultaneously. You practice on okiro.io, take it once or twice, and you have a ticket to universities in six countries.

The third, and most important reason for you, is that European SAT thresholds are significantly lower than American ones. A university ranked in the top 150 QS in Europe (e.g., Politecnico di Milano) accepts an SAT of 1240. In the USA, a university of similar ranking would require 1400+. This price and score arbitrage is the biggest advantage of the European path.

What does “a good SAT score” mean? Global benchmarks

Before we move on to European tiers, it’s worth understanding how SAT scores are distributed globally. The average SAT score in the USA in 2024 was 1028 (among 1,914,516 test-takers from the graduating class). Here are the approximate percentile thresholds:

• 1530–1600 (99th percentile and above) – top 1% of test-takers worldwide. A competitive score for Ivy League, MIT, Stanford.
• 1400–1520 (95th–98th percentile) – top 5% of test-takers. Opens doors to top 20 US universities, Bocconi, ETH Zurich.
• 1200–1390 (75th–94th percentile) – a solid, above-average score. Competitive for hundreds of universities in the USA and most European universities accepting the SAT.
• 1050–1190 (50th–74th percentile) – above the national average, but insufficient for selective universities.
• Below 1050 (below 50th percentile) – below average. It’s worth considering retaking the exam after solid preparation.

Important observation: the difference between percentiles is not linear. A jump from 1000 to 1100 (100 points) moves you from the 42nd to the 60th percentile – a jump of 18 percentage points. But a jump from 1400 to 1500 (also 100 points) moves you “only” from the 94th to the 98th percentile – a jump of 4 percentage points. The higher you are, the harder it is to gain each additional point. This has huge consequences for preparation strategy: if you have 1050, investing 3 months in practice can raise you by 150–200 points. If you have 1450, those same 3 months might only give you 30–50 points.

Also remember that percentiles apply to test-takers in the USA. International test-takers (including Polish high school graduates) have separate statistics and usually perform better in the Math section and worse in R&W. For you, the most important thing is not global percentiles, but the requirements of specific universities on your list – and here, Europe looks completely different from the USA.

Four SAT score tiers in Europe

European SAT requirements can be divided into four distinct tiers. Each opens different doors, provides access to different countries, and requires a different level of preparation. Below, we break down each tier.

Tier 1: SAT 950–1100 – entry into the European game

Let’s be honest – a score below 1100 won’t impress anyone in the USA. But in Europe? The same score opens doors to universities that are older than the United States and ranked in the top 200 worldwide. Università di Bologna – the oldest university in the world, founded in 1088 – accepts SAT scores from 950 points for engineering programs taught in English. Sapienza in Rome (top 150 QS, the largest university in Europe) accepts from 960. And University College Dublin – the best university in Ireland in many rankings – starts from 1000 (depending on the program, thresholds reach up to 1400 for the most selective programs).

In this tier, you’ll also find Bocconi with a minimum threshold of 1040 – but beware, this is a formal minimum. Realistically, to be competitive at Bocconi, you need at least 1350+. A minimum of 1040 only means your application will be considered.

Key value of Tier 1: Italian public universities charge tuition fees of 0–3,000 EUR/year (depending on ISEE, the Italian income assessment), and UCD, about 3,000 EUR for EU citizens. For an SAT score of 1000, you gain access to universities that in the USA would only be achievable with a score of 1300+.

Tier 2: SAT 1100–1300 – the European sweet spot

This is the tier you should aim for if you want a wide range of choices without needing a perfect score. With an SAT of 1200, the map of Europe opens up before you: Erasmus University Rotterdam (1170), LUISS Guido Carli in Rome (1200), Carl Benz School at KIT in Karlsruhe (1200), Politecnico di Milano (1240), Cardiff University (1250), and IE University in Madrid (1250–1350).

This is a tier where the Polish education system gives you a real advantage. If you have English at B2+ level and advanced mathematics in high school, 3–4 months of systematic preparation on okiro.io will be enough to land you in the 1200–1300 range. The SAT Math section tests material from the Polish high school curriculum – algebra, quadratic functions, geometry, trigonometry. Polish students regularly score 700–780 in Math, even with modest preparation.

Tier 3: SAT 1300–1450 – the European elite

With a score of 1300+, you’re playing in the first league. Technical University of Munich – top 50 worldwide, zero tuition fees, the best technical university in continental Europe – accepts SAT scores from around 1300. Leiden University (the oldest university in the Netherlands, top 100 QS) – similarly. University of Groningen with a strong AI and data science program – 1300. Sciences Po in Paris – 1300 and higher. Stockholm School of Economics – the median for admitted students is 1390.

This tier also includes British universities, but with an additional requirement: AP Exams. University of Edinburgh wants SAT 1200–1350 plus 3 AP Exams with scores of 4–5. King’s College London, SAT 1350–1500 plus 3–5 AP. Trinity College Dublin, SAT 1300 plus 3–4 AP.

Let’s be honest – TUM with an SAT score of ~1300 and zero tuition fees is probably the best score-to-prestige ratio in all of Europe. No university in the USA of comparable ranking is either as affordable or as accessible.

Tier 4: SAT 1450–1600 – Oxbridge and the absolute top

The peak of the hierarchy. Oxford and Cambridge require SAT 1500+ (some programs 1450+) plus 3–5 AP Exams with scores of 5. ETH Zurich does not require a specific minimum, but an SAT of 1400+ allows for a reduced scope of the admission exam (Aufnahmeprüfung). St Andrews expects an SAT of ~1400 plus 3 APs with a score of 5.

This tier is for students aiming for the absolute elite – and who are ready for 6+ months of intensive preparation covering both the SAT and AP Exams.

Country-by-country overview of requirements

Italy – lowest thresholds and surprisingly high quality

Italy is the country where the SAT gives you the most for the least. Università di Bologna (SAT 950) and Sapienza in Rome (SAT 960) are universities ranked in the top 200 QS, with zero or near-zero tuition fees (depending on ISEE, the Italian income assessment). Politecnico di Milano (SAT 1240) is a top 150 global university in engineering – better than most British universities. Politecnico di Torino (SAT 1300) specializes in automotive and aerospace. LUISS Guido Carli (SAT 1200) is an elite private university in Rome with strong ties to Italian business.

And Bocconi? Formally, the minimum is 1040, but let’s be honest, no one gets into Bocconi with 1040. The median for admitted students hovers around 1350–1450. Bocconi is both the most selective and most prestigious business university in continental Europe, with tuition fees of approximately 14,000 EUR/year. If you’re aiming for world-class finance or management, aim for 1400+.

Key advantage of Italy: SAT replaces local admission tests (TOLC, TOL). You don’t have to take additional tests; the SAT is enough. More in our guide to studying in Italy with the SAT.

Netherlands – standardization and controlled EU tuition

Dutch universities treat the SAT as an alternative to the Dutch VWO (secondary school diploma). Erasmus University Rotterdam accepts SAT from 1170, Leiden University from 1300, University of Groningen from 1300, and University of Amsterdam from 1200 for most programs. Maastricht University uses Problem-Based Learning and also considers the SAT in its qualification process.

Tuition fees in the Netherlands for EU citizens are a statutory ~2,530 EUR/year, uniform across all public universities. This makes the quality-to-price ratio exceptionally good. Programs are taught in English (the Netherlands has one of the highest levels of English proficiency in Europe), and the education system is modern and practice-oriented.

United Kingdom – SAT yes, but with AP Exams

British universities are a separate category. They accept the SAT, but almost always also require AP Exams – Advanced Placement, the American equivalent of extended A-levels. King’s College London wants SAT 1350+ and 3–5 APs with scores of 4–5. University of Edinburgh – SAT 1200–1350 plus 3 APs with scores of 4–5. Imperial College London does not accept the SAT (here you need A-levels or IB). Oxford and Cambridge require SAT 1470–1500+ plus 3–5 APs with a score of 5.

What does this mean in practice? If you’re planning the British path, the SAT alone isn’t enough. You need to plan preparation for AP Exams (held in May), which means an additional 6–12 months of study. But if you’re already considering studying in the UK, it’s worth knowing that SAT + AP is a full alternative to A-levels and IB (accepted by most Russell Group universities).

Germany – zero tuition, but high requirements

German universities are a phenomenon: zero tuition fees (even for non-EU students, with a few exceptions like Baden-Württemberg) combined with top 50 rankings. TU Munich accepts SAT from ~1300 as an alternative to the German Abitur. Carl Benz School at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), from 1200, but this is a private program with tuition fees of ~3,500 EUR/semester. Constructor University Bremen, from 1300, private, with scholarship opportunities. WHU Otto Beisheim (one of the best business schools in Germany), from ~1300. Frankfurt School, from ~1350.

TUM is the absolute MVP of this list: top 37 QS, zero tuition, English-taught programs in engineering and computer science, and an SAT of ~1300. This is an offer unparalleled anywhere else in the world.

Switzerland – ETH and EPFL, where SAT lowers the barrier

ETH Zurich (top 7 QS) and EPFL Lausanne (top 40 QS) are the two best technical universities in Europe, and two of the most difficult to get into. Both require passing the Aufnahmeprüfung (admission exam) or equivalent qualifications. An SAT of 1400+ does not replace the exam, but it can reduce its scope. Tuition fees are low even by European standards: ~1,460 CHF/year at ETH, ~1,266 CHF at EPFL. Living costs in Switzerland are another story, but more on that in the guide to studying in Switzerland.

Scandinavia – free education and SAT as an asset

Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), the best business school in Scandinavia, does not formally require the SAT, but strongly recommends it. The median SAT for admitted students is around 1390. Tuition: 0 SEK for EU citizens. Hanken School of Economics in Finland accepts SAT from ~1100 as a recruitment alternative. CBS Copenhagen does not require the SAT, but a good score strengthens a quota 2 application (a specific admissions track for applicants with non-Danish qualifications).

Finnish UAS universities (Metropolia, HAMK) accept SAT from ~1000, although at these universities the SAT is optional and treated as an additional asset. Tuition fees in Finland, Denmark, and Sweden are 0 EUR/SEK/DKK for EU citizens.

Other countries – France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium

France: Sciences Po Paris accepts SAT from ~1300. Tuition is progressive, from 0 to 14,500 EUR/year, depending on family income.

Spain: IE University in Madrid and Segovia accepts SAT from ~1250. ESADE Business School in Barcelona, similarly. IE is a private university with tuition fees of ~22,000 EUR/year, but with excellent career prospects in Spain and Latin America.

Ireland: UCD from 1000, Trinity College Dublin from ~1300 (plus AP). EU tuition ~3,000 EUR.

Belgium: KU Leuven – top 100 QS – accepts SAT from ~1300. Tuition: just ~940 EUR/year. This is one of the best offers in Europe in terms of price-to-quality ratio.

Math vs Reading & Writing – what’s more important in Europe?

This is a crucial question that too few Polish students ask themselves. Most European universities look at the total SAT score, but in practice, the weight of individual sections depends on the type of university and program.

At technical universities and STEM programs (TUM, Polimi, ETH, KIT), the Math score is decisive. If you apply for engineering with an SAT of 1300 (Math 750 + R&W 550), your application will be stronger than with an SAT of 1300 (Math 600 + R&W 700). These universities know that English can be polished on site, but a solid mathematical foundation is essential from day one.

At business schools (Bocconi, SSE, IE, Frankfurt School), the score should be balanced. Finance and economics require both analytical thinking (Math) and text comprehension skills (R&W). Bocconi particularly pays attention to both components.

And here’s why this is great news for Polish high school graduates: the Polish education system gives you a natural advantage in the SAT Math section. The material tested on SAT Math (algebra, quadratic functions, geometry, basic trigonometry) overlaps with the Polish high school curriculum, and the Polish curriculum often goes further. A typical score for a Polish student without special SAT preparation is 650–750 in Math and 450–550 in R&W. This means your strategy should be simple: maintain Math at 750+, and direct all your preparation energy towards R&W.

SAT vs AP – when is SAT alone not enough?

Before you plan your preparation, you need to know whether your dream universities require SAT alone or SAT plus AP Exams. This difference is fundamental, because preparing for APs means an additional 6–12 months of work.

Countries where SAT alone is sufficient: Italy (all universities), Netherlands (Erasmus, Leiden, Groningen, Amsterdam), Germany (TUM, KIT, Constructor), Spain (IE), Scandinavia (SSE, Hanken, CBS), France (Sciences Po), Belgium (KU Leuven), Ireland (UCD).

Countries where SAT + AP Exams are standard: United Kingdom (KCL – 3–5 APs, Edinburgh – 3 APs, Bristol – APs, St Andrews – 3 APs with 5, Oxford – 3–5 APs with 5, Cambridge – 3–5 APs with 5) and Ireland (Trinity College Dublin – 3–4 APs).

If you plan to apply exclusively to continental European universities (Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia) – the SAT alone plus a good Polish Matura exam and a language certificate (TOEFL or IELTS, prepare with prepclass.io) will suffice. If you are also considering the UK – start planning AP Exams at least a year in advance.

Superscoring in Europe – who accepts it?

Superscoring means that a university considers the highest score from each section from different SAT attempts. If the first time you scored Math 700 and R&W 650 (total 1350), and the second time Math 680 and R&W 720 (total 1400), then your superscore = Math 700 + R&W 720 = 1420.

In Europe, superscoring is not as common as in the USA. Most universities look at the highest total score from a single sitting. But there are exceptions:

• Bocconi accepts the highest total score (not superscore, but Score Choice).
• Dutch universities generally accept the highest total score.
• British universities require all scores to be submitted, but usually look at the highest.
• TUM accepts the highest total score.
• IE University accepts the highest total score.

Practical advice: take the SAT 2–3 times and always use Score Choice, a College Board option that allows you to choose which scores you send to universities (4 universities for free within 9 days of the test, then $14 for each). More on test-taking strategy in our complete guide to the SAT exam.

When to take the SAT? Timeline for European deadlines

European admission deadlines are spread out, from January (UK UCAS, Bocconi Early) to August (Italian public universities). This gives you a lot of flexibility, but also requires planning. The best time for your first SAT is December of your junior year of high school (3rd class of liceum in Poland); you’ll then have your score ready for the January UCAS deadline, and if the score isn’t satisfactory, you’ll have time for a retake in March (before the Dutch deadline in May).

Important note: The SAT is held 7 times a year (March, May, June, August, October, November, December). In Poland, you can take the exam in Warsaw, Krakow, or Wroclaw. Registration is on collegeboard.org, cost is ~$107 ($64 fee + $43 international fee). Full registration instructions in our step-by-step guide.

Europe vs USA – a comparison of what you get with the same score

The conclusion is clear: with the same SAT score, Europe gives you access to significantly higher-ranked universities at a fraction of the cost. A score of 1200 in the USA opens doors to average state universities with tuition fees of $30,000/year. In Europe, it’s Politecnico di Milano (top 150 QS) for 0–3,900 EUR/year. A score of 1350 in the USA means solid, but not top-tier, universities. In Europe, it’s TU Munich (top 37 QS) with zero tuition fees.

This arbitrage exists because European universities are less dependent on the SAT in their admissions process – the SAT is an additional tool there, not the sole criterion. But for a Polish high school graduate who can pass both the Matura exam and the SAT, this difference is a huge opportunity.

Preparation strategy – how much time do you need?

Preparing for the SAT for European universities requires a different approach than preparing for the Ivy League. The thresholds are lower, meaning you don’t have to aim for 1550+ – a score of 1200–1350 will suffice for 80% of the universities on your list. But that doesn’t mean you can skip preparation.

Here’s a realistic preparation plan depending on your goal:

Goal: SAT 950–1100 (Italian public universities, UCD) Time: 2–3 months. Focus on mastering the basics – algebra, geometry, reading comprehension. Practice on okiro.io 30 minutes daily. At this level, the key is eliminating simple errors, not mastering advanced material.

Goal: SAT 1200–1300 (Netherlands, Polimi, Germany, IE) Time: 3–5 months. Here you need systematic work on R&W – Standard English Conventions (English grammar) and Expression of Ideas (text synthesis). Math: aim for 700+. R&W: aim for 550+. On okiro.io, you practice with adaptive questions that adjust to your level – just like on the real SAT.

Goal: SAT 1300–1450 (TUM, Leiden, KCL, SSE, Sciences Po) Time: 4–6 months. At this level, minimizing errors is what counts. Math: aim for 750+. R&W: aim for 600+. Solve full practice tests under exam conditions every 2 weeks. Keep an “error log” – record every mistake, analyze patterns, revisit problematic question types.

Goal: SAT 1500+ (Oxford, Cambridge, ETH, St Andrews) Time: 6+ months. Here, every point counts. Math: 780–800. R&W: 720+. Plus preparation for AP Exams (if UK). Consider tutoring with an experienced SAT tutor. A minimum of 8–10 full practice tests before the exam.

Regardless of your goal: regular, short study sessions beat marathons. 45 minutes a day for 4 months will give you more than 4 hours once a week. Pattern recognition – the ability to recognize SAT question types – is built through repetition, not intensity. Prepare for TOEFL or IELTS simultaneously on prepclass.io – most European universities also require a language certificate.

Strategy for sending SAT scores to European universities

Sending SAT scores is a separate strategic topic that many students underestimate. The College Board gives you 4 free score sends – within 9 days of the exam, you can send scores to 4 universities for free. But beware: you send them before you see your score (scores are available ~2 weeks after the test). This is a risk – if the test didn’t go well, the university will still receive the score. Use free sends only if you are confident in your score (e.g., on your second or third attempt, when you already know your level).

Paid score sends cost $14 per university. More expensive, but worth it because they allow you to choose which scores from which attempt you send (Score Choice). Practical strategy:

1. For your first attempt, do not use free score sends (unless you are very confident).
2. For your second/third attempt, send to universities where you know your score is competitive.
3. After seeing your scores, pay to send them to universities where your score exceeds the required minimum.

SAT score and holistic candidate assessment

One of the most important things you need to understand: the SAT is not the Matura exam. In the Matura exam, the score essentially determines everything. In foreign university admissions, the SAT is one of many application elements, and its weight depends on the university and country.

At European universities, the SAT usually plays a threshold role: if you exceed the required minimum (e.g., 1280 for Bocconi IEM), the score stops being a major factor, and the rest of your application decides. This is a different logic than in the USA, where a higher SAT always gives a statistical advantage. At the most selective American universities (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT), an SAT score is a necessary but not sufficient condition – thousands of candidates with scores of 1550+ are rejected every year.

Conclusion: aim for the highest possible score, but don’t sacrifice everything on the altar of the SAT. If you have 1350 and are aiming for European universities with a threshold of 1300, consider whether an additional 100 hours to squeeze out 1400 wouldn’t be better invested in strong essays, a research project, preparation for TOEFL/IELTS, or significant extracurricular activities. Balance is key.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

Summary – what SAT score do you really need?

European universities accepting the SAT offer options for every score level – from 950 to 1500+. But the most important conclusion from this guide is: with the same SAT score, you can get into significantly better universities in Europe than in the USA (and at a fraction of the cost). This arbitrage exists because European admissions systems treat the SAT as an additional tool, not the sole criterion. For a Polish high school graduate who can pass both the Matura exam and the SAT, this is a huge opportunity.

Key takeaways:

• SAT 950–1100: Access to Italian public universities (Bologna, Sapienza) and UCD. The best score-to-prestige ratio in all of Europe.
• SAT 1200–1300: Netherlands, Germany, top Italian technical universities, IE University. The “European sweet spot.”
• SAT 1300–1450: TUM (zero tuition!), Leiden, KCL, Sciences Po, SSE. Elite universities, often with low tuition fees.
• SAT 1500+: Oxford, Cambridge, ETH Zurich. Also requires AP Exams (UK) or an admission exam (Switzerland).

Next steps

1. Take a diagnostic test – on okiro.io or in the Bluebook app (College Board), to find your starting point.
2. Set a target score – based on the universities in the table above. Be realistic: aim for Tier 2 (1200–1300) as a safe start.
3. Plan your preparation with our 12-week SAT study plan. Practice on okiro.io 30–60 minutes daily.
4. Prepare for TOEFL/IELTS simultaneously – on prepclass.io. Most European universities require a language certificate.
5. Register for the SAT – check SAT dates 2026/2027 and the step-by-step registration guide.
6. Check country guides: Italy, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain.
7. Read our complete guide to the SAT exam – test structure, sections, strategies, preparation plan.

Europe awaits – and the SAT is your ticket. Start preparing today, and in a year, you’ll be unpacking your bags in Milan, Munich, Amsterdam, or London.