Home › Colleges › UK › Imperial College London
14%
Acceptance rate
~$50k
Tuition / yr
7
IELTS required
60%
Intl students
1907
Founded
#2
QS World rank
STEM-focused; strong industry links. This guide covers Imperial College London's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at Imperial College London
Imperial College London is best known for Engineering, Medicine, Business. Popular programs for international students include:
- MSc Computing
- MSc Business Analytics
- MSc Finance
- MSc Machine Learning
- MSc Climate Change
Class profile: Strong STEM background. Notable alumni: Brian May, H.G. Wells.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 |
| TOEFL iBT | 100 |
| PTE Academic | 69 |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 |
| GRE | Optional |
| GMAT (MBA) | 650 |
| Min GPA / grade | 3.3/4.0 (2:1) |
| Work experience | Not required |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for Imperial College London.
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | £40k/yr |
| Application fee | Free |
| Living costs (est.) | £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa) |
| Scholarships | President's PhD, dept scholarships |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
- Pick one-year master's programs
- Meet IELTS (6.5–7.5) & 2:1/First equivalent
- Write personal statement + 1–2 references
- Apply directly on university portal (rolling)
- Receive offer (conditional/unconditional)
- Pay deposit → CAS → Student visa
📄 Documents checklist
- Academic transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 1–2 References
- CV
- IELTS UKVI
- Passport
- Financial proof (CAS)
- Degree certificate
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · UK
- Student visa: Student visa (Tier 4)
- Work while studying: 20 hrs/week during term
- Post-study work: Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD)
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Beat the bar. With about 14% acceptance, aim above the minimums — target IELTS 7.5+ and a strong GPA, and lead with research, projects or publications.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at Imperial College London and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. Imperial College London needs IELTS 7 / TOEFL 100 / PTE 69. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (£40k/yr) plus living costs (£12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa)); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. Imperial College London's main intakes are Sep/Oct — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | Sep/Oct |
| Typical deadline | Rolling (apply early) |
| Acceptance rate | 14% (competitive) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (imperial.ac.uk) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for Imperial College London?
- Imperial College London typically requires IELTS 7 (TOEFL 100, PTE 69). GRE: Optional.
- How much does Imperial College London cost?
- International tuition is approximately £40k/yr, plus living costs of £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa). Application fee: Free.
- What is the acceptance rate at Imperial College London?
- Imperial College London has an indicative acceptance rate of about 14% (Strong STEM background).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at Imperial College London?
- Intakes: Sep/Oct. Typical deadline: Rolling (apply early).
- Is Imperial College London hard to get into?
- Imperial College London is competitive, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 14%. Aim above the minimum scores and build a standout profile.
- Does Imperial College London require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Optional. GMAT (for MBA): 650. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at Imperial College London?
- Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD) (UK). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 20 hrs/week during term.
- What documents do I need to apply to Imperial College London?
- Typically: Academic transcripts, Personal Statement, 1–2 References, CV, IELTS UKVI, Passport, Financial proof (CAS), Degree certificate. Check program-specific requirements before applying.