Overview
| Undergraduate achievement | The minimum standard required is a First Class Honours or equivalent. This equates to a CGPA of 3.7/4.0. |
|---|---|
| Graduate achievement | A masters degree in which you were amongst the top five per cent of students in your year. The masters must be from a university/department with a strong international research reputation and must contain a research component. In exceptional circumstances two to three years of high-level and relevant work experience may be considered equivalent to a masters degree (see below). |
| English proficiency | English as your native language or IELTS minimum overall score of 7.5, with not less than 7.0 in each element or TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) minimum overall score of 110, with not less than 25 in each element |
Detailed requirements
Undergraduate achievement
An excellent degree equivalent to a UK bachelors degree from a reputable university. The minimum standard normally required is a first class honours or a mark considered equivalent by the University of Cambridge, which translates in most countries into 'A' grades.
In most countries the equivalent to a UK bachelors degree is a first degree (bachelor), but from some countries a masters-level degree may be required.
From the USA we expect a CGPA of 3.7 out of 4. From China a minimum average mark of 90% is required (though in some cases a mark higher than 90% will be required). From India a minimum average mark of 80% is required, either in a masters degree or a four-year bachelor of engineering/technology from a prestigious institution. From Germany a minimum mark of "sehr gut" is required.
We take into account the standing and selectivity of the university as well as the student's rank within their class.
Graduate achievement
You are expected to provide evidence, through transcripts and references, that you are among the top five per cent of students in your year. Your masters-level degree must be from a university with a strong international research reputation and must contain a research component, e.g. a research dissertation, research methodology courses or an independent research project.
Exceptionally, two to three years of high-level work experience relevant for the proposed research in addition to being in the top five per cent of your undergraduate cohort at a university with a strong international research reputation, may be considered equivalent to a masters degree.
Applicants with an MBA, MFin or other professional practice masters are required to have a further masters degree with research component or two to three years of high-level and relevant work.
English proficiency
Applicants to the programme need to be fluent in English. We define fluency in the following ways:
- if English is your native language.
- or you have an IELTS minimum overall score of 7.5, with not less than 7.0 in each element. The separate components must have been taken at the same time and in the past two years.
- or if you have a TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) minimum overall score of 110, with not less than 25 in each element.
Not yet taken a language test? Test result out-of-date or not up to the required standard? Don't worry, you don't have to include your English language test scores with your initial application documents; they can be forwarded on later in the process. If you are made an offer, one of the conditions of entry will be getting the required standard of language test score.