International applicants · 2027 undergraduate entry
Applying to the UK as an international student
A course-first guide to Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial, UCL and Warwick, with direct links to the universities’ own requirements.
Sources checked 22 September 2026. Examples explain the published guidance; your course, qualification and offer conditions take priority. Requirements can change.
How UCAS works from abroad
Use the UCAS undergraduate application to record your education, qualifications, course choices and personal statement, and arrange a reference. Prepare the application with your school or referee; international qualifications belong in the education section. UCAS application guide ↗
15 October 2026 · 18:00 UK time
Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses for 2027 entry.
Official UCAS October deadline ↗13 January 2027 · 18:00 UK time
Equal consideration for 2027 undergraduate courses without the October deadline. Check the exact course.
Official UCAS January deadline ↗Our planning suggestion: work backwards from your earliest course deadline, then separately check test registration, school reference and any university-specific form dates.
University of Oxford
Start with your course, then check the test and qualification requirements.
Application
International applicants use UCAS and follow the 15 October, 18:00 UK time deadline. For 2027 entry this is 15 October 2026; the UCAS date above confirms the cycle. Official source ↗
English
IELTS Academic: 7.5 overall, with at least 7.0 in every component. Accepted older TOEFL tests require 110 overall, with Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25 and Writing 24. Tests taken from 21 January 2026 are currently not accepted; check Oxford’s notice before booking. Official source ↗
Qualifications
IB: 38–40 overall, including core points, with 6s and 7s at Higher Level, depending on the course. For federally recognised Swiss Matura, Oxford lists averages of 5.1 (AAA courses), 5.2 (A*AA) or 5.3 (A*A*A), plus specific specialised/complementary subject grades. Read the full subject conditions. Official source ↗
Admissions tests
For 2027 entry Oxford uses ESAT, TMUA or TARA where required by the course, and retains LNAT for Law. Check the course’s current test, registration and sitting requirements; a UCAS submission does not register you for a test. Official source ↗
Turn your research into preparation
Tripos tools can help you practise. They are independent preparation tools, not university endorsements or admission guarantees.
University of Cambridge
Allow time for both UCAS and the additional Cambridge form.
Application
The main UCAS deadline for 2027 entry is 15 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time. Official source ↗
Additional form
Most applicants must complete My Cambridge Application by 22 October 2026 at 18:00 UK time. Different arrangements apply to specified January-round applicants; follow the official instructions for your route. Official source ↗
English
IELTS Academic is normally 7.5 overall, usually with at least 7.0 in each component. Other accepted evidence is listed by Cambridge. We have not verified a current undergraduate TOEFL score route: confirm with Cambridge rather than relying on older TOEFL advice. Official source ↗
Qualifications
IB minimum offers are 41–42 points with 776 at Higher Level; some Colleges require more. Check subject choices and your College. Official source ↗
Swiss Matura
The 2027 international requirements list an overall 5.1 and 5.5 in three subjects for the recognised Swiss Matura certificates. Official source ↗
Admissions tests
The 2027 course table includes TMUA for Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics; ESAT for Engineering and Natural Sciences; and LNAT for Law. Other courses may use different tests or College assessments. Check your exact course and College. Official source ↗
Turn your research into preparation
Tripos tools can help you practise. They are independent preparation tools, not university endorsements or admission guarantees.
London School of Economics and Political Science
Match your subject combination to the programme you want to study.
Application
International applicants apply through UCAS. LSE states 13 January 2027 as the application deadline for September 2027 entry. The UCAS cut-off is 18:00 UK time. Official source ↗
English
IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall and in each component, in one sitting. On the updated TOEFL scale for tests from January 2026, LSE lists 5.5 overall and at least 5 in each component. Older-scale scores require 100 overall with Writing 27, Reading 25, Listening 24 and Speaking 24; check test-date validity. Official source ↗
Qualifications
LSE’s published IB range is 37 points with 666 at Higher Level to 39 points with 766. The exact programme and its Mathematics requirements control your offer. Official source ↗
Swiss Matura
LSE maps A*AA to a Swiss Maturita average of 5.3, AAA to 5.0 and AAB to 4.7. Mathematics A* corresponds to 5.5 and A to 5.0. Official source ↗
Admissions tests
TMUA is mandatory for BSc Economics and BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics in 2027. Some other programmes recommend it. LLB applicants need LNAT, and some qualifications may require the Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA). Read your programme’s rules. Official source ↗
Turn your research into preparation
Tripos tools can help you practise. They are independent preparation tools, not university endorsements or admission guarantees.
Imperial College London
Check the required science and mathematics subjects as well as overall grades.
Application
Imperial’s 2027 undergraduate equal-consideration deadline is 13 January 2027, except MBBS Medicine and Graduate Entry Medicine. Check those medicine routes separately; do not use the January date for them. Official source ↗
English
IELTS Academic: Standard level 6.5 overall/6.0 in every element; Higher level 7.0/6.5. For TOEFL tests from 21 January 2026: Standard 4.5 overall and each element, Higher 5.0 overall and each element. Earlier tests use 92/20 and 100/22 respectively. Your course specifies the level and test validity matters. Official source ↗
Qualifications
The accepted-qualifications guide gives IB 38–42, with 6–7 in relevant Higher Level subjects. Swiss Matura guidance lists 5.0 overall and 5.0 in relevant subjects. These are general entry guidance, not a promise of a course offer; check the department’s requirements. Official source ↗
Admissions tests
Imperial’s test guide covers ESAT, TMUA, UCAT and GAMSAT. The required test depends on the course. Follow its registration timetable separately from UCAS. Official source ↗
Turn your research into preparation
Tripos tools can help you practise. They are independent preparation tools, not university endorsements or admission guarantees.
University College London
UCL requirements are programme-specific, including the English level and admissions test.
Application and IB example
For September 2027, Economics BSc lists 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time and 39 IB points. This is a course example, not a university-wide offer. Check its full Higher Level requirements and select your own course before applying. Official source ↗
English
IELTS levels 1–5 require overall/component minimums of 6.5/6.0, 7.0/6.5, 7.0/7.0, 7.5/7.0 and 8.0/8.0 respectively. UCL accepts the revised TOEFL, but the required scores depend on level and test date; use its table for your course’s level. Official source ↗
Swiss qualifications
The Arts and Sciences BASc guide provides pathway-specific Swiss Matura examples, including a 5.1 overall average and relevant subject conditions. Do not apply that threshold to other degrees. A single current Swiss threshold across UCL could not be verified; use the international qualifications selector on your chosen course or ask admissions. Official source ↗
Admissions tests
UCL’s 2027 guidance lists ESAT for Electronic and Electrical Engineering, TMUA for Economics, and TARA for listed Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering courses. Several 2026 test requirements changed, so check the current course list rather than last year’s advice. Official source ↗
Turn your research into preparation
Tripos tools can help you practise. They are independent preparation tools, not university endorsements or admission guarantees.
University of Warwick
Use the current course page alongside Warwick’s country-specific guidance.
Application
Apply through UCAS. Check the deadline on the course page: for example, Cyber Security lists 13 January 2027 for 2027 entry. The general UCAS January equal-consideration deadline is 18:00 UK time. Official source ↗
IB example
Economics BSc currently lists 38 IB points, including 6 in Higher Level Mathematics (either route), plus its stated English qualification requirements. Other courses set different offers. Official source ↗
Swiss qualifications
Warwick explicitly says its Swiss undergraduate requirements are under review for 2027/28. Its current guide maps A*AA/AAA to 5.5 overall and AAB/ABB to 5.0, but tells applicants to treat these as guidance only until the review ends. Confirm with admissions. Official source ↗
English — check the entry year
The published IELTS bands A/B/C are 6.0/5.5, 6.5/6.0 and 7.0/6.5 (overall/minimum component). However, the displayed test-validity notes still specify 2026 entry. A complete 2027 IELTS/TOEFL policy was not verified: confirm the applicable band, test date and TOEFL scale with Warwick before booking. Official source ↗
Admissions tests
Warwick’s admissions-test page gives course-specific TMUA guidance and flags some 2027 rules as under review. Economics is currently described as optional, with further updates possible. Check the current Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science or Economics section for your course. Official source ↗
Turn your research into preparation
Tripos tools can help you practise. They are independent preparation tools, not university endorsements or admission guarantees.
Comparing international qualifications
Do not convert your grades using one universal formula. Use each university’s country and course guidance. Alongside the IB and Swiss examples above:
International A-levels
Oxford recognises Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA International A-levels as equivalent to UK A-levels grade for grade, with stated subject exclusions. Official source ↗
European Baccalaureate
LSE lists 88 for A*AA programmes, 85 for AAA and 80 for AAB, with additional Mathematics conditions where required. Official source ↗
US Advanced Placement
For Oxford A*A*A courses, the guide lists four APs at grade 5, or three APs at grade 5 plus ACT 33 or SAT 1480. Required subjects and restrictions on combinations still apply; other offer levels have different thresholds. Official source ↗
Visas and your study route
Check whether you need a Student visa and follow the UK government’s current guidance on eligibility, sponsorship, documents and applying. Your university’s international-student team can help with its sponsorship process. We do not reproduce changing immigration rules or calculate eligibility here.
Official UK Student visa guidance ↗If a source does not clearly confirm your qualification or entry year, contact the university before making an application or booking a test.