Your academic reference is an important part of your UCAS application.

We consider your academic reference as part of the process of making a decision on your application.

In particular, we use them to:

• decide whether to invite you to attend an interview (where an interview forms part of the selection process)
• gain an inside into your motivation to study your course
• determine the conditions of your potential offer

We also assess the predicted grades that your referee submits as part of your academic reference for any pending qualifications you're currently studying.

How many references are required?

Only one reference is required on the UCAS undergraduate application.

If you want us to consider more than one reference, you'll need to contact the relevant Imperial Admissions team directly first to check whether this is possible.

How to choose a referee

See the link above for advice from UCAS website on how to choose a reference – it depends whether you’re applying individually, or through a school, college, or a centre registered with UCAS.

You'll need to make sure your reference is included within your UCAS application and that your referee provides predicted grades for any pending qualifications.

Your referee can also include achievements you are particularly proud of – for example, a top mark you achieved in one of your subjects or a prize that you won.

They can also outline any issues you have faced which may have had a negative impact on your studies – this will free up space for you to use your personal statement to focus on your interest in the subject.

You should let the person writing your reference know if there is something you think should be included.