What predicted grades for Imperial?

For Imperial College London, predicted grades are highly competitive, typically needing AAA to AAA at A-Level or 38-42 points with 7,6,6 in Higher Levels for IB, depending on the highly STEM-focused course, with strong performance in Math/Sciences crucial. Aim for higher than minimums, as successful applicants often exceed stated requirements, potentially needing AAA for Engineering or scoring above 40 for IB to stand out, alongside strong personal statements and admissions test scores (STEP, MAT, TMUA).

Can you get into Imperial with AAA?

You'll get a guaranteed offer at the department's minimum entry level* if you: Meet the minimum entry requirements for Imperial (AAA at A-level or equivalent). Show clear motivation for the subject in your personal statement (check our guidance for tips).

How likely am I to get into Imperial?

At the end of the day, it's difficult to get into Imperial because of simple maths: more students want to study at Imperial than it has places. On average, 9.6 students applied for each undergraduate place in the 2022-23 admissions cycle. Imperial has just around 11,000 undergraduate places across all years.

Does Imperial prefer 4 A levels?

No, our standard offer would be the same regardless of whether the applicant is taking three or four (or more) A-levels. However, we often make higher offers and sometimes use a fourth A-level for that. If there is no fourth A-level, we might require an A* in the third A-level subject or use STEP.

Is imperial better than MIT?

Neither Imperial College London nor MIT is definitively "better"; they are both world-leading universities, often trading places at the very top of global rankings, but excel in different ways, with MIT generally seen as having broader global recognition and resources, while Imperial offers a focused STEM powerhouse in London with potentially lower costs for some, notes Collegedunia. Your choice depends on priorities: MIT often leads in resources, research funding, and US-centric prestige, while Imperial excels in UK/European recognition, focused STEM education, and unique London experiences, say Reddit users.
 

HOW TO GET INTO IMPERIAL FOR ENGINEERING

Is 37 a bad IB score?

Strong IB scores matter greatly for admission to top US and UK universities. Competitive applicants typically report totals in the high 30s to low 40s. Scores of 38+ are viewed as solid. For Ivy League schools, applicants generally aim for 40‑42.

Does Imperial look at predicted grades?

We look at your predicted grades at A Level or equivalent. We may look at the GCSE subjects you have studied, if they are relevant, such as Art or Design Technology.

What is the easiest London university to get into?

Top Universities in London with High Acceptance Rates

• University of West London: A Great Choice for Easy Admission. ...
• St Mary's University: A Pathway to Higher Education. ...
• London South Bank University: Accessible Education for All. ...
• Kingston University: A Welcoming Environment for Students.

Which is more prestigious, UCL or Imperial?

Academic Reputation:

Both UCL and Imperial find their spots in the list of top 10 universities in the UK and the world. Imperial ranks 2nd in the world (QS WUR 2025) and 5th in the country (Guardian League Table 2025), while UCL ranks 9th globally and in the UK by the same metrics.

What is the hardest course to get into at Imperial?

The hardest courses to get into Imperial College London are consistently in Computing and Mathematics, with BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science also extremely competitive, often seeing offer rates below 10% due to high applicant numbers and stringent requirements like interviews and admissions tests (ESAT for Engineering/Computing). Computing (Software Engineering), Biomaterials, and Visual Computing/Robotics are frequently cited as having the lowest offer rates, while Medicine and Aeronautics are also very tough.
 

Is UCL or Imperial better for engineering?

While UCL operates across the full academic spectrum, Imperial specialises primarily in science, engineering, management and medicine, and has a leading business school. So, if your area of interest is one of the arts, humanities or social sciences disciplines, you should probably apply to UCL.

What is the toughest university to get into in the UK?

What Are the Hardest Universities to Get into UK? University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) are frequently regarded as the most competitive and hardest universities to get into in the UK.

Is Imperial more competitive than Oxford?

🎓 Top UK Universities Are More Competitive Than Ever. QS 2026 ranks Imperial, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and KCL among the world's elite, but acceptance rates are low: only ~10% at Imperial, 14% at Oxford, and 16% at Cambridge. UCL and KCL are slightly higher (33%,35% respectively), but competition is intense.

Is Imperial a target school for the IB?

Key Insight: If your goal is investment banking, asset management, or consulting in London, Imperial MSc Finance is a direct pipeline into top firms, making it a solid target school.

Does Imperial interview all applicants?

The majority of our departments interview applicants who demonstrate potential in their UCAS application and in an admissions test (where this applies). These usually take place between November and February.

Which is the easiest Russell Group Uni to get into?

While all Russell Group universities are academically rigorous and globally respected, some are relatively more accessible than others. Based on offer rates and entrance standards, universities such as Liverpool, Queen Mary (QMUL), Nottingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff emerge as the easiest Russell Groups to get into.

What are the top 5 hardest universities to get into?

What's the hardest college to get into? The short answer is the “HYPSM” school: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT.

Which UK university has the most American students?

Nearly one in five students at the University of St Andrews are American — more than any other university in the UK — and it shows. Tucked into the once sleepy East Neuk of Fife, the town has been turned into what some call “mini-Nantucket”, where around every street corner you hear an American accent.

What GCSEs did Kate Middleton get?

Kate Middleton achieved 11 GCSEs at Marlborough College and later earned As in Maths and Art, and a B in English for her A-Levels, before graduating with a 2:1 in History of Art from St Andrews University, where she met Prince William. Her strong academic performance included taking a gap year before university, where she volunteered with Raleigh International in Chile. 

Why are 2025 grade boundaries so high?

So before there was that COVID grade inflation. This means that if too many students are hitting the top marks they have to raise the grey boundaries in order for the proportion of grade 7s to nines to be roughly the same as in round twenty nineteen.

Which is better, 2.1 or 2.2 degrees?

A 2.1 (Upper Second Class) is generally better than a 2.2 (Lower Second Class) because it signifies stronger academic performance, opening more doors for competitive graduate jobs, prestigious postgraduate courses, and often leading to higher lifetime earnings, though a 2.2 can still be successful with relevant experience, especially in less competitive fields or universities. The 2.1 is a standard benchmark for many top employers and Master's programs, while a 2.2 meets basic requirements but places you at a disadvantage in highly selective applications, notes LondonDE International. 

Is 75% a 7 in IB?

A 75% in the IB is very close to a grade 7 (the highest), but it's usually a high grade 6 or sometimes a 7 depending on the subject, difficulty, and year, with some sources showing 75% as a 6 boundary and others as a 7 boundary, especially in sciences like Math AA SL or Chemistry SL where boundaries can be lower. The exact percentage needed for a 7 fluctuates yearly and by subject, but 75% generally falls into the top tier of scores. 

What IB score is needed for UC Berkeley?

University of California, Berkeley has an IB score range for undergraduate admissions with a 25th percentile of 37 and a 75th percentile of 43. Being within this range does not guarantee admission, but scores closer to the upper end, like 43, are a good sign.

Is 42 IB good for Harvard?

The minimum recommended score to get into Harvard is 42/45, although many admitted students often have higher grades in the range of 42-45.