Imperial College London Admission Guide 2027: Requirements, Fees, Scholarships and How to Apply
Imperial College London admission is built around science, engineering, medicine and business, and it uses admissions tests that many applicants meet too late. This Imperial College London Admission Guide 2027 explains the UCAS route, the ESAT and TMUA tests, the 2026–27 overseas fees by faculty, the Imperial Inspires scholarship, London visa funds and what to do after an offer, using Imperial and UK government sources checked in October 2026. For ranking and a short profile, see our Imperial profile page.
Imperial QS Ranking 2027: Second in the World
Imperial is joint 2nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the highest of any UK university, and The Times and Sunday Times named it University of the Year 2027. Unlike most UK universities it teaches almost entirely STEM subjects plus business, so its reputation comes from engineering, computing and medicine. Compare every ranked university in our World’s Top 100 Universities directory.
If you are weighing London options, read our UCL guide too.
What Is the Imperial Acceptance Rate?
Imperial does not publish one simple rate for all courses. A figure of about 17.6% for undergraduate admissions is quoted in some reference sources, but it hides large differences: medicine, computing and several engineering courses are far more competitive. Use each course’s entry requirements and admissions test expectations instead of a single percentage.
Imperial Entry Requirements for International Students
- UCAS only: all undergraduate applications use UCAS with Imperial’s institution code, I50, and you can choose up to five courses.
- Personal statement and reference: required for every UCAS application.
- Admissions tests: many courses use the ESAT (science and engineering) or TMUA (computing and maths), and medicine uses the UCAT.
- Qualifications: A-levels, IB or equivalent are assessed course by course, with high grades in maths and science subjects.
- Deposit: none is needed for undergraduate study.
ESAT, TMUA and English Tests for Imperial
Imperial and Cambridge jointly own the UAT-UK tests (ESAT, TMUA), which are computer-based and delivered through Pearson test centres worldwide. For the January deadline, the test window runs 4 to 8 January 2027, with booking from 26 October to 21 December 2026. Medicine applicants face the earlier October timetable.
Imperial also sets English language requirements by course. Practise with our IELTS preparation guides, the Word Bank and the 200 antonyms (opposite words) guide.
How to Apply to Imperial: Step by Step
- Pick a course and check its tests, grades and English level.
- Register for ESAT or TMUA as early as booking opens.
- Write your UCAS statement and request a reference.
- Submit by the deadline and pay the UCAS fee (£34.50 for 2027 entry, flat for any number of choices).
- Apply for the Imperial Inspires scholarship by 5 February 2027 if you qualify.
- Prepare scans with our PDF Toolkit and refine your statement in the AI Language Studio.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Imperial Application Deadlines 2027
| What | Date |
|---|---|
| UCAS deadline: Medicine (MBBS), Oxford and Cambridge | 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time |
| UCAS deadline: all other Imperial courses | 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time |
| Admissions test window (January sitting) | 4 to 8 January 2027 (booking 26 October to 21 December 2026) |
| Imperial Inspires scholarship application | 5 February 2027, 23:59 UK time |
| Imperial Inspires outcome | By 30 April 2027 |
Imperial Tuition Fees for International Students
Imperial sets overseas fees by faculty. For 2026–27 the published undergraduate figures are:
| Programme group (2026–27) | Overseas fee per year |
|---|---|
| Engineering (all departments) | £45,500 |
| Natural Sciences (most courses) | £45,500, with some courses at £42,700 |
| Medicine (MBBS) | £58,600 |
Continuing overseas students’ fees can rise each year by an inflation adjustment (3.5% for 2026–27), unlike universities with a fixed cohort guarantee. A first-year cash plan for an engineering student is £45,500 tuition plus £14,130 visa living-cost funds plus the £558 visa fee, which is £60,188 before the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of visa (our calculation).
Imperial Scholarships for International Students
- Imperial Inspires: £15,000 for each year of the course for outstanding overseas undergraduates in Engineering, Natural Sciences, Medicine or the Business School. You apply separately by 5 February 2027, after your UCAS application, with an optional 250-word motivation statement.
- Other awards: Imperial lists country-specific schemes such as GREAT and external scholarships on its funding pages.
- External funding: compare Chevening, Commonwealth and home-country awards in our fully funded scholarships for 2027 guide.
UK Student Visa Money for London
After you meet your offer conditions Imperial issues a CAS for the UK Student visa. London applicants must show £1,529 a month for up to nine months (£13,761) now, rising to £1,570 a month (£14,130) for applications from 30 November 2026, held for 28 days (see the money rules). The visa fee is £558 and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 per year of visa. Some nationalities need a tuberculosis test, and some courses need ATAS clearance.
Careers and the Graduate Route After Imperial
London’s technology, finance, health and engineering employers are close to campus. After graduating, eligible students can apply for the Graduate Route: 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s applications from 1 January 2027 and 3 years for doctoral graduates, per the official Graduate visa page. No job or visa outcome is guaranteed.
Mistakes That Cost Imperial Applicants
- Missing the 15 October date for Medicine.
- Booking ESAT or TMUA after the booking window closes.
- Using 2025–26 fees when the 2026–27 figures are higher.
- Forgetting that London visa funds are higher than outside London.
- Applying for Imperial Inspires without an Imperial application in place.
Frequently Asked Questions About Imperial College London Admission
Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS using code I50, with a personal statement, reference and any required admissions test. Postgraduate applicants apply directly to Imperial.
UCAS closes on 15 October 2026 for Medicine and on 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time for all other courses.
Many courses use the ESAT or TMUA, and medicine uses the UCAT. Check each course page for the exact test.
For 2026–27 the overseas fee is £45,500 for engineering and most natural sciences courses and £58,600 for Medicine.
Yes. Imperial Inspires offers £15,000 a year to outstanding overseas undergraduates, with an application deadline of 5 February 2027.
London applicants must show £1,529 a month for up to nine months now (£13,761), rising to £1,570 a month (£14,130) from 30 November 2026, held for 28 days.
Imperial is joint 2nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the highest of any UK university.
Eligible graduates can use the Graduate Route, which is 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s applications from 1 January 2027, though no outcome is guaranteed.
Imperial College London Admission for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants use the same route as other international applicants. This table turns the guide into a checklist.
| Area | What Pakistani applicants should do |
|---|---|
| Entry grades | Read your course page and Imperial’s country guidance for how A-levels, IB or other qualifications are assessed |
| Admissions test | Book the ESAT or TMUA early at a Pearson centre and confirm test dates for your location |
| English | Take an accepted test (see our IELTS preparation guides) and keep it within its validity period |
| Application | Undergraduate through UCAS (I50). Postgraduate directly to Imperial. No agent is needed |
| Funding | Apply for Imperial Inspires by 5 February 2027, and check Chevening, Commonwealth and HEC funding |
| Visa funds | Show £13,761 (or £14,130 from 30 Nov 2026) for nine months, held for 28 days. Convert PKR at the current rate and keep a buffer |
| Health and security checks | Check the GOV.UK TB test rules for Pakistan and whether your course needs ATAS, because either can delay your CAS or visa |
| Start time | Begin 10 to 12 months before intake: attested documents, tests and visa slots take time |
More PHL EDU University Admission Guides
Comparing universities? Every guide in this series follows the same plan: ranking, requirements, deadlines, costs, funding, visa and a Pakistan checklist. Browse them all, or open the full World’s Top 100 Universities directory for rankings and profiles.
Free tools that help with your application: AI Language Studio, PDF Toolkit, Word Bank, One Word, One Page, IELTS preparation guides, fully funded scholarships for 2027 and the PHL EDU blog.
Disclaimer: This article uses Imperial’s official pages, GOV.UK and the QS World University Rankings 2027, last checked in October 2026. Fees, deadlines, scholarships, test rules and visa rules change, and no admission, funding, visa or job outcome is guaranteed. Always confirm details with Imperial and the relevant government before applying.
