Imperial College London Does Not Accept the Gaokao for Undergraduate Entry: Chinese Students Need AP, IB or A-Level; Deadline January 13, 2027
The gaokao is not on Imperial's list of accepted undergraduate qualifications, so students from mainland China usually apply with AP (five subjects at 5,5,5,4,4), IB (38–42) or A-Level. Most engineering, computing, mathematics and business courses require the ESAT or TMUA; second-sitting tests in China are on January 6 and 8, with registration closing December 21.
Imperial College London lists the international qualifications it accepts for undergraduate entry, with minimum requirements, on its admissions website. Following UK ENIC guidance, the list shows whether a qualification is equivalent to three A-Levels. It includes qualifications such as the Hong Kong DSE, but does not include the mainland China gaokao.
What Chinese students can apply with
- AP (Advanced Placement): At least five subjects at 5, 5, 5, 4, 4; or three subjects at 5, 5, 4 together with a recognised high school diploma and an SAT of 1460 or ACT of 31.
- IB: 38–42 points overall, with 6–7 in relevant Higher Level subjects; for courses requiring mathematics, Mathematical Studies cannot replace mathematics.
- A-Level: Standard offers range from AAA to A*A*A depending on the course.
Imperial notes that it does not accept every country's high school diploma, so applicants should check the list first. Mainland China's high school diploma is not on the list. Inferring from this, students at regular high schools in China applying with AP generally need the five-AP route; the "three APs + SAT/ACT" route is for students with a recognised diploma (such as a U.S. high school diploma). Confirm your situation with the admissions office.
These are minimum requirements; some courses ask for more, so check each course page.
Admissions tests
- ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test): Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Design Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Life Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Physics.
- TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission): Business School, Computing (including joint Mathematics and Computer Science), Mathematics.
- UCAT: Medicine (MBBS).
- No test: Bioengineering, Chemistry, Earth Science and Engineering, Materials.
For 2027 entry, the ESAT and TMUA each have two sittings. Candidates testing in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau can only sit on set dates:
- ESAT: October 12–13, 2026; January 6, 2027.
- TMUA: October 15–16, 2026; January 8, 2027.
- Second-sitting registration: October 26 to December 21, 2026 (UK time).
English requirements
Courses are set at a "standard" or "higher" level; see each course page. You can apply before you have an English score and meet it as an offer condition; scores must be from within two years before the course starts.
- IELTS Academic: Standard 6.5 (6.0 in each component); higher 7.0 (6.5 in each). Must be achieved in a single sitting; One Skill Retake is not accepted.
- TOEFL iBT: For the new 1–6 scale (tests from January 21, 2026), standard 4.5 (4.5 in each section) and higher 5.0 (5.0 in each); for earlier tests, 92 (20 in each) and 100 (22 in each). The Home Edition is accepted.
- Duolingo: Standard 115 (105 in each subscore); higher 125 (115 in each).
Key dates (2027 entry)
- October 15, 2026 (18:00 UK time): Medicine deadline.
- January 13, 2027 (18:00 UK time): Equal consideration deadline for all other undergraduate courses.
Sources: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/entry-requirements/accepted-qualifications/; https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/english-language/; https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/admissions-tests/; https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/deadlines/. Check the official sources for the latest policy.