How to Apply to Engineering at Imperial College London: Mostly Four-Year MEng Degrees, the ESAT for Aeronautics, Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Design Engineering, and Entry Requirements for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Second-Year Direct Entry Applicants

At Imperial College London, undergraduate engineering is taught by the departments of the Faculty of Engineering, mainly at South Kensington (some Bioengineering courses also use White City). The Faculty lists the departments of Aeronautics, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computing, the Dyson School of Design Engineering, Earth Science and Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials, and Mechanical Engineering. Below is what the 2027-entry course pages say, for UK applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and direct entry into second year. Computing has its own article on this site and is not covered here; we did not read the undergraduate pages for Earth Science and Engineering, so check Imperial’s website for those.

1. Courses and how you are admitted

• You apply to a specific course: each has its own UCAS course code, and the institution code is I50. Aeronautics, Mechanical and Civil Engineering say you apply to the standard course first and apply later to move to year-abroad or year-in-industry versions (see section 7). Imperial does not describe a Faculty-wide common first year; check each department’s course page.
• Mostly four-year integrated Master’s (MEng): Aeronautical Engineering H401, Chemical Engineering H801, Civil Engineering H201/H202, Mechanical Engineering H301, Design Engineering 28G3, Biomedical Engineering BH9C, Molecular Bioengineering H160, Electronic and Information Engineering GH56 and the Materials MEng courses are MEng degrees (versions with a year abroad or in industry run longer, as each page states). Electrical and Electronic Engineering also has a three-year BEng (H600) alongside the four-year MEng (H604), and the page says you can decide between BEng and MEng at the end of second year; Materials Science and Engineering also has a three-year BEng (JF52). Biomedical Technology Ventures (B800) is a three-year BSc, not an engineering degree.
• Professional accreditation (course pages, on behalf of the Engineering Council): Aeronautics is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and IMechE, with the agreement renewed in 2025; Chemical Engineering by IChemE, with the MEng fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Engineer (CEng); Civil Engineering by the Joint Board of Moderators; Design Engineering by the Institution of Engineering Designers, IMechE and the IET and fully meeting the CEng educational requirement; Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng by the IET and fully meeting CEng, while the BEng only partially meets it and graduates need further learning; Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Bioengineering by the IET, IMechE and IOM3; Materials by IOM3. For Mechanical Engineering only the MEng is accredited by IMechE, and the page notes that the year-abroad versions are not accredited.
• Competition (applications per place, 2025, from the course pages): Aeronautics 11:1, Chemical 5:1, Civil 3:1, Mechanical 13:1, Electrical and Electronic 8:1, Design Engineering 7:1, Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Bioengineering 7:1, Materials 8:1.

2. Entry requirements by course (2027 entry)

Imperial says typical offers are based on offers made by each department to at least 50% of 2025-entry A-Level and IB applicants who were yet to achieve their grades, and can be higher than the minimum. A-Level science subjects require a pass in the Science Practical Endorsement, and General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

• Aeronautical Engineering (MEng, H401): minimum A*A*A or A*AAA including A* in Mathematics, A/A* in Physics (A* with three A-Levels, at least A with four) and A in a third and/or fourth subject; Further Mathematics recommended but not essential. Typical A*A*A* (three) or A*A*AA (four). IB minimum 40 points with 7 in Mathematics HL and 7 in Physics HL (AA or AI accepted, AA preferred); typical 43–44.
• Chemical Engineering (MEng, H801): minimum A*A*A including A* in Chemistry, A* in Mathematics and A in Biology, Business Studies, Economics, Further Mathematics or Physics; a fourth A-Level is preferred in Physics, Biology, Further Mathematics, Business Studies or Economics at A. Typical A*A*A (three) or A*A*AA (four). IB minimum 40 points with 7 in Mathematics HL, 7 in Chemistry HL and 6 in Biology, Business Management, Economics or Physics HL; typical 41.
• Civil Engineering (MEng, H201; with Year Abroad H202): minimum A*A*A or A*AAA including A* in Mathematics, A/A* in Physics and A in a third/fourth subject. Typical A*A*A (three) or A*AAA (four). IB minimum 40 points with 7 in Mathematics HL and 6 in Physics HL; typical 40.
• Mechanical Engineering (MEng, H301): minimum A*A*A or A*AAA including A* in Mathematics, A/A* in Physics and A in a third/fourth subject. Typical A*A*A* (three) or A*A*AA (four). IB minimum 40 points with 6 in Mathematics HL and 6 in Physics HL; typical 40 points including 7 in both.
• Design Engineering (MEng, 28G3, Dyson School of Design Engineering): minimum A*AA including A* in Mathematics and A in two further subjects (no subject specified). Typical A*AA. IB minimum 39 points with 7 in Mathematics HL and 6 in another HL subject; typical 39.
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering (BEng H600 / MEng H604) and Electronic and Information Engineering (MEng GH56): minimum A*A*A or A*AAA including A* in Mathematics, A*/A in Physics (A* with three A-Levels, at least A with four) and A in a third/fourth subject; Further Mathematics strongly encouraged but not essential, with Chemistry, Computer Science and Design and Technology also recommended. Typical A*A*A (three) or A*AAA (four). IB minimum 40 points with 7 in Mathematics HL and 7 in Physics HL; typical 41.
• Biomedical Engineering (MEng, BH9C) and Molecular Bioengineering (MEng, H160): minimum A*AA with A* in Mathematics, A in Physics (Biomedical) or Chemistry (Molecular) and A in a third subject. The typical offer is shown as A*AA and A*A*A for three A-Levels. IB minimum 39 points with 6s in Mathematics HL, Physics HL (Chemistry HL for Molecular) and a third HL subject; typical 40. Biomedical Technology Ventures (BSc, B800) also asks for A*AA, with A* in Mathematics and A in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and 39 IB points.
• Materials Science and Engineering (BEng JF52 / MEng JFM2), Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (MEng BJ95) and Materials with Nuclear Engineering (MEng J5H8): minimum AAA including A in Mathematics, A in Chemistry or Physics and A in a useful subject (Biology, Computing, Design and Technology); A-Levels in a foreign language studied in the applicant’s native language are not accepted. Typical A*AA (three A-Levels). IB minimum 38 points with 6 in Mathematics HL and 6 in Physics or Chemistry HL; typical 39.

3. The ESAT and interviews

• Courses that require the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test): Aeronautics, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic, and Electronic and Information Engineering require Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics; Chemical Engineering requires Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Chemistry; Design Engineering requires Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 2 only. Each module is 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes.
• No admissions test: the Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Bioengineering, Biomedical Technology Ventures and Materials course pages say the department does not use a test.
• ESAT dates for 2027 entry: window 1 ran 12–16 October 2026 (closed; booking closed 28 September); window 2 is 4–8 January 2027, with booking opening 26 October 2026 at 15:00 and closing 21 December at 18:00 (UK time). In mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau you can only test on set dates: 12–13 October 2026 in window 1 and 6 January 2027 in window 2. Register with UAT-UK, then book a Pearson centre and pay the fee.
• Interviews differ by department. Aeronautics: strong applicants are invited, about 25–30 minutes, after the ESAT, online on Microsoft Teams. Mechanical Engineering: about 25–30 minutes, covering your personal statement, some mathematics and physics, online on Wednesday afternoons from November to March. Design Engineering: an online interview if your application shows enough potential, November to March, with up to two minutes to present your own work. Electrical and Electronic and Electronic and Information Engineering: an online interview of 25–30 minutes if your UCAS application, personal statement and test performance are strong. Chemical Engineering: the page says interview days are planned and details will follow. Bioengineering courses: selection looks at results, motivation, leadership and teamwork potential and the referee report, with a possible online interview and a post-application open day. Civil Engineering and Materials: we did not find an interview description on the course pages, so check the pages or the department.
• Imperial notes that departments accept applications until the end of January and keep making decisions until the end of March, so even an October application may not hear back until March.

4. UK applicants

• Qualifications: A-Levels (subjects and grades in section 2) or the IB. For Scottish Advanced Highers, Pre-U, the Welsh Baccalaureate, BTEC, Access to HE and similar, the course pages offer a drop-down by qualification; the static text does not show which requirement belongs to which qualification, so select yours on the course page.
• Contextual offers: the course pages say Imperial’s contextual admissions route for UK applicants may entitle you to additional consideration; see the contextual admissions page for eligibility.
• Home fee: £10,050 a year for 2027 entry; £1,505 for a year abroad and £1,005 for a year in industry. Imperial says it charges Home fees in line with the Government cap, so expect increases.
• Funding: Home students can apply for a government Tuition Fee Loan and a means-tested Maintenance Loan; the Imperial Bursary is for Home undergraduates with household income below £70,000, worth up to £5,000 a year, non-repayable.
• The course pages do not separate England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland for Home fees or funding; check the fees pages and your student finance body.

5. International applicants

• Qualifications: Imperial publishes a country-by-country table of accepted qualifications judged equivalent to three A-Levels. Examples: Canadian high school diplomas at 85% overall with 85% in at least five Grade 12 subjects; HKDSE grades 5 to 5* in relevant subjects; IB 38–42 with 6–7 in relevant HL subjects. Qualifications from countries not in the table are not accepted. Engineering courses ask more than the table’s minimum, so follow the course page.
• AP: the table lists at least five APs at 5,5,5,4,4, or three APs at 5,5,4 with an acceptable school-leaving qualification and SAT 1460 or ACT 31. Engineering courses may ask for more; the course-specific AP requirement only appears after selecting it in the “Other qualifications” drop-down, so check there.
• English: Bioengineering, Electrical and Electronic, and Materials courses need the higher level; Aeronautics, Chemical, Civil, Mechanical and Design Engineering need the standard level. IELTS Academic: standard 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element, higher 7.0 with 6.5; single-skill retakes are not accepted. TOEFL iBT: standard 92 (20 in each), higher 100 (22 in each); on the new 1–6 scale from 21 January 2026, 4.5 and 5.0. Duolingo: 115 (105) and 125 (115). Scores must be within two years of the start date. You do not need the score when applying; it becomes an offer condition.
• ATAS certificate: the Aeronautics, Chemical, Mechanical, Materials Science and Engineering MEng, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, and Materials with Nuclear Engineering pages say you need one unless you are from an exempt nationality (Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the USA and EEA members). The Biomedical, Civil, Design, Electrical and Electronic, Electronic and Information Engineering and Materials BEng pages say it is not required.
• Scholarships for international students: the course pages list the Imperial Inspires Scholarships for overseas students at £15,000 for each year of the course; the Chemical Engineering page does not list it. See the scholarship page for how awards are made.

6. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: China’s school-leaving qualification is not on Imperial’s accepted qualifications table, and Imperial says qualifications not listed are not accepted. Students in the Chinese system usually need A-Levels, the IB or APs, or an accepted foundation programme.
• Accepted foundations: Imperial has no foundation of its own, but most engineering course pages accept UCL’s UPCSE and Warwick’s IFP in Science and Engineering. Minimums depend on the course:
  • Aeronautics, Civil, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic, and Electronic and Information Engineering: 80% overall and 80% in Mathematics and Physics for both UPCSE and IFP, with the Engineering IFP pathway.
  • Mechanical: 80% overall, 80% in Mathematics and 80% in Physics, with the Engineering IFP pathway.
  • Design Engineering: UPCSE 80% overall, 80% in Mathematics and 80% in Biology, Chemistry or Physics; IFP 80% overall plus 80% in combinations such as Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, or Mathematics, Statistics, Further Mathematics and Computer Science, via the Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, or Engineering pathways.
  • Materials courses (Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Materials with Nuclear Engineering): UPCSE 80% overall, 80% in Mathematics and 80% in Chemistry or Physics; IFP 80% overall and 80% in Mathematics and Physics, Engineering pathway.
  • Biomedical Technology Ventures: UPCSE 80% overall, 80% in Mathematics and 80% in Biology, Chemistry or Physics; IFP 80% overall and 80% in Mathematics and Physics.
  • Molecular Bioengineering: the page only lists UPCSE, with 80% overall and 80% in Mathematics and Chemistry.
  • Chemical Engineering: the course page has no foundation section, so this is not published there; contact admissions.
• A-Level or IB at an international school: apply directly with the requirements in section 2.
• ESAT: in mainland China you can only sit the dates set aside (section 3).
• Transcripts and interviews: Imperial gives no China-specific guidance beyond the above, so this is not published on the pages we read; interviews are online.

7. Direct entry into second year and changing course

• Direct entry into second year: the course pages do not describe transfers from other universities; this is not published, so contact Imperial’s undergraduate admissions team.
• Changing course after entry: Aeronautical Engineering applicants apply to H401; at the end of second year, if on target for a 2:1 or above, you may apply to move to Aeronautics with Spacecraft Engineering, and at the end of third year to the Year Abroad or Year in Industry versions. Mechanical Engineering applicants apply to the MEng and can move to the nuclear engineering route at the end of second year, or to year-abroad and year-in-industry versions at the end of third year. For the Civil Engineering Year Abroad, selection is in third year with year one and two marks of 67% or above, and priority goes to applicants with no prior overseas study. Changing course may affect an international student’s visa.
• Year-abroad places are limited and not guaranteed; the Mechanical Engineering page says normally only students with 65% or above are eligible. The Aeronautics page says European destinations may need GCSE French or German at B/6, or an alternative language qualification. The year in industry is a paid placement that students arrange with department support, often with several applications and interviews.

8. Timeline (October 2027 entry)

• 12–16 October 2026: ESAT window 1 (closed; 12–13 October in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau).
• 26 October 2026: ESAT window 2 booking opens; 21 December at 18:00 (UK time) booking closes.
• 4–8 January 2027: ESAT window 2 (6 January in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau).
• 13 January 2027 at 18:00 (UK time): UCAS deadline, institution code I50, as shown on the course pages; whether late applications are possible is not stated, so check the UCAS website.
• November to March: interviews in most departments; decisions run to the end of March.
• October 2027: courses start.

9. International tuition

• For 2027 entry every course page we read lists an international (Overseas) fee of £47,800 a year; a year abroad is charged at 100% of the fee for that year and a year in industry at 10%.
• Imperial has an extra-costs page by department covering items such as field trips, books and protective clothing.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• Check A-Level or IB subjects and grades for your course (A* Mathematics; Physics for Aeronautics, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical; Chemistry for Chemical)
• Book the ESAT if your course needs it and apply through UCAS (I50) by 13 January
• Look at contextual admissions and the Imperial Bursary

International applicants:

• Check your qualification is in the accepted table; follow the course page for grades
• English: standard IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each) or higher 7.0 (6.5 each), depending on the course
• Apply for ATAS if your course needs it; book the ESAT by 21 December

Applicants from China:

• The Gaokao is not on the table: use A-Levels, the IB, APs, or UCL UPCSE / Warwick IFP (80% overall and in Mathematics and Physics)
• In China the January ESAT is only on 6 January
• Contact admissions for foundation, AP and transcript details the course pages do not give

Direct entry into second year:

• Contact Imperial admissions first to check whether you can join and at what level

Sources: Imperial College London, Faculty of Engineering; Aeronautical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Design Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Molecular Bioengineering; Biomedical Technology Ventures; Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng; Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng; Electronic and Information Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering BEng; Materials Science and Engineering MEng; Accepted qualifications; English language requirements. Information is for 2027 entry. Check Imperial for the latest details.