English language requirement
part of the application process you will be asked to show that you have met the College’s English-language requirement. You can do this in a number of ways:
- Pass the Imperial Collge London Pre-Sessional English Programme (applicants for postgraduate taught or research admission only)
- Take an English language proficiency test
- Provide evidence of a previous qualification that you have taken that confirms your English level
- Provide evidence that you meet one of our English language exemptions
The Business School no longer offers its own pre-sessional courses, or recognises other pre-sessional courses, as a means of meeting the English language requirement. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Business School directly.
More details on the proficiency tests and qualifications we accept, along with our English language exemptions, can be found below. Please note the College has two attainment levels of English language; standard and higher. Please refer to the course pages for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to determine which level your course requires.
For more details on how to submit your English language results to Imperial please visit our pages on meeting the condition(s) of your offer for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Note for postgraduate research (doctoral) applicants
After fulfilling the English language entry requirement for admission, all doctoral students must also fulfil the Imperial College London Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement (DACR). This is done through taking Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement Assessment 1 (DACR A1). Depending on the result of this initial assessment (DACR A1), students may also need to have a progress check, referred to as Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement Assessment 2 (DACR A2). DACR A2 will form part of the Early Stage Assessment (ESA), which is carried out by the student’s host department.
To fulfil this requirement, sudents must take the first available DACR A1 after registering onto their doctoral programme. This must be within 3 months of the registration date. This is because the aim of the Requirement is to identify as soon as possible those who may need to improve their writing competence, and to ensure they can access support in the first 9 months of their doctoral programme.
For more information please see the Centre for Academic English website.
**Visa requirements - English language**
Please note that as a Tier 4 Sponsor, Imperial College London is able to make its own assessment of students’ English language ability. The College has therefore decided to accept English language tests (as listed below), which meet our own entry requirements for admission to courses taught at degree level, provided the test certificate is valid and the scores achieved meet either our Standard level or Higher level requirements (please note that some courses require the Higher level).
If you require a Tier 4 visa, your Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies (CAS), will include a statement which confirms the College has made its own assessment of your English language. When applying for your Tier 4 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. The only exception to this is in the case of pre-sessional English students, who are studying below degree level and will therefore have to take a Home Office Approved English Language Test and provide evidence of this test with their visa application. You can book an IELTS for UKVI test through the IELTS website.
For information and advice on applying for your visa please go to our International Student Support pages.
Proficiency Tests
Duolingo English Test
Standard Level | Higher Level |
---|---|
115 Overall with no less than 105 in any band score | 125 Overall with no less than 115 in any band score |
*Test scores are only considered valid if taken within 2 years of the intended course start date |
IELTS (Academic)
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all elements) | 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all elements) |
*IELTS indicator accepted for admissions in the 2020/21 academic year.
Imperial College London considers IELTS scores to be valid for 2 years. Scores must be valid at the beginning of your studies at Imperial if your application is successful. For more information relating regarding IELTS please visit the IELTS website. Please note if you are planning on taking a pre-sessional English programme at the College you must take an IELTS for UKVI test. More details on how to book this test can be found on the IELTS website.
LanguageCert International ESOL
Standard Level | Higher Level |
---|---|
ESOL B2 Test with grade High Pass | ESOL C1 or C2 Test with grade Pass |
*Accepted for 2020 entry or undergraduate offer holders in the 2019/20 UCAS cycle only |
Occupational English Test
Standard Level | Higher Level |
---|---|
Grade C+ in all elements | Grade B in all elements |
*Test results must be within 2 years of programme start date in order to be treated as valid and subject to online verification |
PTE Academic
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
62 overall (minimum 56 in all elements) | 69 overall (minimum 62 in all elements) |
Imperial College London considers Pearson (PTE) scores to be valid for 2 years. Scores must be valid at the beginning of your studies at Imperial if your application is successful. For more information relating regarding Pearson please visit the Pearson website.
TOEFL (iBT)
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
92 overall (minimum 20 in all elements) | 100 overall (minimum 22 in all elements) |
*ETS at Home accepted for admission in the 2020/21 academic year.
Imperial College London considers TOEFL scores to be valid for 2 years. Scores must be valid at the beginning of your studies at Imperial if your application is 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 relating 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.
Accepted English Qualifications
AS Level/A-level
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
Grade C in English Language* | Grade C in English Language* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Australia Territory High School Certificate (HSC)
Territory | Standard Grade* | Higher Grade* |
---|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory | C | C |
New South Wales | 4 | 4 |
Northern Territory | C | C |
Queensland | SA / C | SA / C |
South Australia | C | C |
Tasmania | CA | CA |
Victoria | C in all units | C in all units |
Western Australia | C | C |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
Standard | Higher | |
---|---|---|
Tests taken before January 2015 |
Grade C |
Grade B |
Tests taken from January 2015 |
176 overall (minimum 169 in all elements) |
185 overall (minimum 176 in all elements) |
Canadian High School Diploma
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
Grade 12 English at 65%* | Grade 12 English at 65%* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level. Must be studied in Canada and excludes Quebec High School Diploma
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Standard | Higher | |
---|---|---|
Tests taken before January 2015 |
Any pass grade with a pass in each element OR Level C1 certificate* |
Any pass grade with a pass in each element OR Level C1 certificate* |
Tests taken from January 2015 |
Any pass grade with a pass in each element |
185 overall (minimum 176 in all elements) |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
European Baccalaureate
Standard | Higher | |
---|---|---|
English as a First Language | Grade 6 | Grade 7 |
English as a Second Language | Grade 7* | Grade 7* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
GCSE or GCE 'O' Level
Standard | Higher | |
---|---|---|
GCSE Post 2017: | Grade 6 in English Language* | Grade 6 in English Language* |
GCSE Pre 2017: | Grade B in English Language* | Grade B in English Language* |
GCE O Level: | Grade B in English Language* | Grade B in English Language* |
*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* |
*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* |
*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* |
*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* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
International Baccalaureate
For qualifications taken after 2013
Standard | Higher | |
---|---|---|
English A: Language & Literature | Grade 4 (if taken at either Standard or Higher Level)* | Grade 4 (if taken at either Standard or Higher Level)* |
English A: Literature | Grade 4 (if taken at either Standard or Higher Level)* | Grade 4 (if taken at either Standard or Higher Level)* |
English B | 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)* |
For qualifications taken before 2013
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)* |
*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* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
Post 2017: Grade H5 in English* Pre 2017: Grade B2 in English at Standard/Ordinary Level* |
Post 2017: Grade H5 in English* Pre 2017: Grade B2 in English at Standard/Ordinary Level* |
*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)* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Malta Matriculation Certificate
Standard | Higer |
---|---|
Grade C at Higher or Intermediate Level* | Grade C at Higher or Intermediate Level* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level. |
Malta Secondary Education Certificate
Standard | Higer |
---|---|
Grade 2 | Grade 2 |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level. |
National Certificate in Educational Achievement Level 2 or Level 3
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
NCEA Level 2 English Grade: Merit* NCEA Level 3 English Grade: Achieved* |
NCEA Level 2 English Grade: Merit* NCEA Level 3 English Grade: Achieved* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Scottish Standard (SS) & National 5 (N5)
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
Standard Grade 2 in English National 5 Grade B |
Standard Grade 2 in English National 5 Grade B |
Singapore Cambridge A-Levels
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
Grade C in English* | Grade C in English* |
*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* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Singapore Integrated Programme - NUS High School Diploma
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
CAP 4.5 out of 5 in English Language* | CAP 4.5 out of 5 in English Language* |
*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* |
*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* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
USA High School Diploma
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
Year 12 English at Grade B* | Year 12 English at Grade B* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level. Must be studied in the USA.
West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
Standard | Higher |
---|---|
Level 4 in English* | Level 4 in English* |
*For this qualification our standard and higher English requirements are set at the same level.
Exemptions
First Degree
If you have a first degree taught in English within the following countries then you meet the English requirement automatically:
- Australia
- Canada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Malta
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- West Indies
If you have studied a joint degree programme with a university based in one of the above countries you are also considered to have met the English language requirement, providing that you also meet the following requirements:
a) Your final degree is awarded by a university based in one of the above countries and;
b) Your entire final year of study was completed at a university based in one of the above countries.
This applies only to degrees that were awarded by a university in the relevant country.
Please note if you are applying for a programme within the Department of Mathematics or the Centre for Environmental Policy, you will only be granted an exemption if the full degree programme was studied within the accepted countries (i.e. exemptions will not be granted on the basis of partial study undertaken in an accepted country).
You may also be granted an exemption if you hold full membership or fellowship by examination to one of the UK or Ireland's Medical Royal Colleges, or if you hold registration with the UK General Medical Council.
Please note if you are applying for a programme within the Imperial College Business School, the English language exemption is not granted as standard and you may need to demonstrate your English proficiency through an approved test or qualification. If applying for a programme within Imperial College Business School you may be able to do this through passing an English language interview with the Business School’s English language instructor. More information can be found on Imperial College Business School’s English language pages.
Masters' Degree
If you have successfully completed a one-year MSc degree (or equivalent) course at a University in one of the following countries then you meet the English requirement automatically:
- Australia
- Canada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Malta
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- West Indies
You may also be granted an exemption if you hold full membership or fellowship by examination to one of the UK or Ireland's Medical Royal Colleges, or if you hold registration with the UK General Medical Council.
The exemption applies only to degrees that were taught and awarded by a university in the relevant country. Please note if you are applying for a programme within the Department of Mathematics or Imperial College Business School, this English language exemption is not granted as standard and you will need to demonstrate your English proficiency through an approved test or qualification. If applying for a programme within Imperial College Business School you may be able to do this through passing an English language interview with the Business School’s English language instructor. More information can be found on Imperial College Business School’s English language pages.