English language requirements
Our programmes are linguistically demanding, and therefore strong English language skills are critical to academic success on your programme and in your future career.
All home, EU, and overseas applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Students who were not awarded their degree in a qualifying English-speaking country must demonstrate their proficiency by completing an approved English language qualification at the required level as outlined below.
Student visa English proficiency
If you require a Student visa, your Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies (CAS), will include a statement that confirms the College has made its own assessment of your English language. When applying for your Student visa, you will not be required to provide evidence of your English language ability with your visa application. However, you are still required to provide official evidence to the College of the accepted English language test you have taken.
For information and advice on applying for your visa please visit our International Student Support pages.
English language interview
English language interviews are available to admitted students who have studied at least their final year in, and have been awarded a degree from, an English-speaking country. Interviews are conducted by our Global Skills Consultants and typically take place via Skype, or an assessment of your video interview for selected MSc programmes.
We recognise English-speaking countries as: Australia, Canada, Guyana, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the West Indies.
English language qualifications
If you do not meet the criteria above, you will be required to submit one of the following English language qualifications. We strongly recommend that you take the English test before applying and provide your score as part of your application.
The requirements for the most commonly taken tests are below. A full list of accepted tests and qualifications can be found on the Imperial College London website. Please note, we require the higher level requirements for all tests.
A score of 125 overall with a minimum of 115 in each subsection
Test scores are only considered valid if taken within 2 years of the intended course start date.
IELTS (Academic): A minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in all elements.
Imperial College London considers IELTS scores to be valid for two years. Scores must be valid at the beginning of your studies at Imperial if your application is successful.
IELTS Indicator Test
IELTS have launched the IELTS indicator test that can be taken online. Imperial College Business School will be accepting these scores as completely equivalent to the in-person IELTS test.
We will accept a TOEFL test with an overall grade of 100, with 22 in each element.
Imperial College considers TOEFL tests to be valid for two years. Scores must be valid at the beginning of your studies at Imperial College, should your application be successful.
You must meet the entry requirement in one test from your scaled scores (‘My Best Scores’ reported by TOEFL will not be considered). For more information regarding TOEFL please visit the ETS website. Please note if you would like ETS to send your TOEFL scores directly to the College, our TOEFL Institution Code is 0891.
TOEFL at Home
ETS is temporarily offering the online TOEFL from home in selected areas.
Imperial College Business School will be accepting these scores as completely equivalent to the in-person TOEFL test.
Find out more on the ETS website
Pre-sessional courses
The Business School does not offer pre-sessional English courses or accept attendance of a pre-sessional English course as a means of meeting the English language requirement.