Requirements for Graduate Studies
This information gives general guidance on how qualifications awarded by overseas institutions satisfy the College's minimum academic requirements. Imperial has high academic requirements because our degree programmes are intense and demanding, so in order to succeed you will need to be able to perform at a high level from the start.
If you intend to apply for a Masters degree please note that what is stated here is the minimum entry requirement (equivalent to a UK Lower Second Class Honours (2B) degree), but the majority of programmes have higher requirements (usually a minimum of a UK Upper Second Class Honours (2A) degree).
For admission to a PhD, MPhil, MD (Res) or EngD research programme the College would normally expect you to hold or achieve a Master's degree in addition to a Bachelor's degree at 2A level.
Advice on the academic requirements from specific overseas institutions can be found by clicking on the link to the relevant country in the Country Index.
Please note that the requirements below are the College minimum entry requirements, equivalent to a UK Lower Second Class Honours (2B) degree. Each Department is able to ask for higher grades than listed, and many Departments look for a minimum of a UK Upper Second Class Honours (2A) degree or equivalent.
You should check the individual Departmental websites for their specific requirements before submitting an application.
Please note that meeting academic requirements does not guarantee entry, it is only one of the factors taken into account when selectors make their decision: other factors such as suitability for the course, proficiency in English (you will need to have passed a College-approved English test), relevant work experience and references are also important.
Proficiency Tests
IELTS (Academic)
Standard
6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all elements)
Higher
7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all elements)
Pearson Academic (PTE)
Standard Higher
62 overall (minimum 56 in all elements)
Higher
69 overall (minimum 62 in all elements)Summary of the table's contents
TOEFL (iBT)
Standard
92 overall (minimum 20 in all elements)
Higher
100 overall (minimum 22 in all elements)
Accepted English Qualifications
AS Level/A-level
Standard
Grade C in English Language*
Higher
Grade C in English Language
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
Tests taken before January 2015
Standard Grade C
Higher Grade B
Tests taken from January 2015
Standard
176 overall (minimum 169 in all elements)
Higher
185 overall (minimum 176 in all elements)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Tests taken before January 2015
Standard
Any pass grade with a pass in each element OR Level C1 certificate*
Higher
Any pass grade with a pass in each element OR Level C1 certificate*
Tests taken from January 2015
Standard
Any pass grade with a pass in each element
Higher
185 overall (minimum 176 in all elements)
European Baccalaureate
Standard Higher
English as a First Language
Standard Grade 6
Higher Grade 7
English as a Second Language
Standard Grade 7*
Higher Grade 7*
GCSE or GCE 'O' Level
Standard Higher
Grade B in English Language* Grade B in English Language*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Hong Kong AS Level
Standard Higher
Grade C in English* Grade C in English*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examinations Syllabus B
Standard Higher
Level 4 in English in Syllabus B* Grade 4 in English in Syllabus B*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
Standard Higher
Level 3 in English* Level 3 in English*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
IGCSE
Standard Higher
Grade B in English as a First Language* Grade B in English as a First Language*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
International Baccalaureate
Standard Higher
English A1 Syllabus Grade 4 (if taken at either Standard or Higher Level)* Grade 4 (if taken at either Standard or Higher Level)*
English A2 Syllabus Grade 5 (if taken at Standard Level) or Grade 4 (if taken at Higher Level)* Grade 5 (if taken at Standard Level) or Grade 4 (if taken at Higher Level)*
English B Syllabus Grade 6 (if taken at Standard Level) or Grade 5 (if taken at Higher Level)* Grade 6 (if taken at Standard Level) or Grade 5 (if taken at Higher Level)*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
International Option of the French Baccalaureat (OIB)
Standard Higher
Grade 12 in English in the final examinations* Grade 12 in English in the final examinations*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Standard Higher
Grade B3 in English at Standard Level* Grade B3 in English at Standard Level*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Malaysian Certificate of Education (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia)
Standard Higher
Grade A in English Language (1119)* Grade A in English Language (1119)*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Scottish Standard Grade
Standard Higher
Grade 3 in English Grade 2 in EnglishSummary of the table's contents
Singapore Cambridge A-Levels
Standard Higher
Grade C in English* Grade C in English*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Singapore Cambridge O-Levels
Standard Higher
Grade B in English* Grade B in English*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Singapore Integrated Programme Cambridge A Levels (SIPCAL)
Standard Higher
Grade C in the General Paper* Grade C in the General Paper*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
USA Advanced Placement Examination
Standard Higher
Grade 4 in English* Grade 4 in English*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
Standard Higher
Level 4 in English* Level 4 in English*Summary of the table's contents
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
