A Complete Guide to Applying for Undergraduate Programs at Imperial College London (2026 Entry)

Apr 5

3 min read

Imperial College London is one of the most prestigious universities in the UK, renowned for its focus on science, engineering, medicine, and business. For prospective undergraduate students aiming to apply for the 2026 intake, understanding the application process is crucial. This post provides a comprehensive overview of how to apply to Imperial College London, including key deadlines, entry requirements, personal statements, admissions tests, and more.

1. How to Apply: UCAS Application

All undergraduate applications to Imperial are submitted through UCAS Hub. You can apply to up to five different courses, and these can be across different universities. Important points to remember:

You can only submit one personal statement for all five choices.
If applying to Medicine, you are limited to four Medicine-related courses.
Each course at Imperial counts as a separate UCAS choice.
You should check whether your chosen course requires an admissions test and register for it in time.

2. Key Application Deadlines for 2026 Entry

Below are some of the most important deadlines:

29 April 2025: 2026 entry courses available on UCAS search tool.
13 May 2025: UCAS applications open.
2 September 2025: You can start submitting applications via UCAS.
15 October 2025: Deadline for Medicine (A100) and Graduate Entry Medicine (A102).
14 January 2026: Equal consideration deadline for all other undergraduate courses.
March 2026: Imperial aims to release all decisions by late March.
August 2026: A-level results day.

Ensure all your admissions test registrations and personal documents are submitted before their respective deadlines.

3. Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications

Imperial accepts a wide range of international qualifications. Minimum requirements include:

A-Levels: Usually AAA or AAA depending on the course.
IB Diploma: 38–42 points with 6s and 7s in Higher Level subjects.
US APs: 3–4 AP tests with grades of 5.
Country-specific entry standards are available on Imperial’s website.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must meet either Standard or Higher English proficiency levels:

IELTS: 6.5 overall (Standard) or 7.0 overall (Higher).
TOEFL iBT: 92 (Standard) or 100 (Higher).
Duolingo: 115 (Standard) or 125 (Higher).
PTE Academic: 62 (Standard) or 69 (Higher).

All test results must be valid at the time of course start and taken within two years of entry.

4. Personal Statement

From 2026 entry, UCAS personal statements are structured into three parts:

Why do you want to study this subject?
How have your studies prepared you for this course?
What experiences outside education have helped you prepare?

Each section must be at least 350 characters, with a total limit of 4,000 characters. Focus on your motivation, relevant experiences, and skills—not just your grades.

5. Admissions Tests

Many departments require applicants to sit a subject-specific test. These include:

ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test)
TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission)
UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) – for Medicine (A100)
GAMSAT – for Graduate Entry Medicine (A102)

You must register independently with the test providers. Test dates typically fall in October and January, and vary by location.

6. Interviews

Departments that use interviews will begin inviting shortlisted candidates from November 2025 to February 2026. Interviews may be:

Virtual or in-person
One-on-one or panel-style
May include written tasks or group activities

Medicine applicants participate in Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Make sure to review your personal statement and course information in advance.

7. Contextual Admissions

Imperial offers additional support for UK-based applicants from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligible students may receive:

A guaranteed interview
A guaranteed minimum offer
Access to a reconsideration pool in August

Eligibility is based on factors such as free school meal eligibility, care background, and POLAR4 data.

8. What Happens After You Get Results?

Imperial does not participate in Clearing.
If you meet your offer conditions, your place will be confirmed via UCAS.
If you miss your offer, the Admissions Team will assess whether to confirm your place.
Final documents (e.g., official results, passport copy for visa issuance) must be submitted before the department deadline.

Final Notes

Imperial’s admissions process is competitive and thorough. Applicants are encouraged to start preparing early, stay ahead of deadlines, and check department-specific requirements. Whether you're aiming for engineering, medicine, or computing, a strong application requires strategic planning, excellent academic preparation, and a compelling personal narrative.