Imperial College London is one of the best STEM universities in the world, ranked number 2 in the QS World University Rankings for 2026. For students in Italy planning to apply for 2026 entry, the application goes exclusively through the UCAS system, with a deadline of 14 January 2026 at 18:00 UK time for most courses. The average acceptance rate for 2025 entry was around 9.9%, but it varies significantly by programme.
- The UCAS deadline is 14 January 2026 for all courses except Medicine, for which the deadline is 15 October 2025.
- An Italian secondary school diploma (diploma di maturita) is accepted with an average grade of 4.5+/5, with a grade of 5 in relevant subjects.
- Engineering courses require the ESAT test, while Computing requires the TMUA test.
- Acceptance rates for the most competitive programmes range from 4.2% (Mathematics and Computer Science) to 9.7% (Mathematics BSc).
- The IELTS requirement for most STEM courses is 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
What are the academic requirements for students in Italy
Imperial accepts the Italian secondary school diploma (diploma di maturita) with an average grade of 4.5+/5, with a grade of 5 in relevant subjects. For Engineering courses, that means a grade of 5 in mathematics and physics. For Computing, a grade of 5 in mathematics is required.
For students with an IB diploma, requirements are typically 38-42 points overall with 6-7 at Higher Level in relevant subjects. Engineering programmes, for example, ask for Maths HL (7) and Physics HL (6-7). A-level requirements are usually A*A*A or A*AA for the most competitive courses.
An important difference compared with some other UK universities: Imperial does not look at grades alone, but also at admissions test results. For most Engineering courses, the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) is compulsory, while Computing requires the TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admissions).
Every year we work with between five and ten students applying to Imperial, mostly for Engineering and Computing programmes. In our experience, candidates with a strong maths and physics profile from an Italian liceo scientifico have solid chances, particularly for programmes such as Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, where competition is somewhat lower than for Computing AI. The key is that the student has not just excellent grades, but also STEM projects outside school that demonstrate practical application of their knowledge.
What the application timeline looks like
The application for October 2026 entry begins in September 2025, when the UCAS portal opens. Students applying for Medicine face an earlier deadline of 15 October 2025, while for all other programmes the deadline is 14 January 2026 at 18:00 UK time.
Engineering and Computing applicants must sit an admissions test. The ESAT and TMUA have two sittings: October 2025 (9-10 October) and January 2026 (6-7 January). For the ESAT, registration for the October sitting closes on 29 September 2025, and for the January sitting on 19 December 2025.
Offers usually arrive by the end of March 2026. If you receive a conditional offer, you will need to meet the conditions by August 2026, when diploma results come out.
Which admissions tests are required
Imperial uses different admissions tests depending on the programme. The ESAT is compulsory for Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Design Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The test consists of three 40-minute modules: Mathematics 1 is compulsory for everyone, Mathematics 2 for most programmes, plus Physics or Chemistry depending on the course.
For Computing programmes, the TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admissions) is compulsory. For Medicine, the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is compulsory.
These tests are sat at authorised Pearson VUE centres. The nearest centres for students in Italy are in cities such as Milan and Rome. Test fees depend on the centre's location, and candidates facing financial hardship in the UK can apply for a bursary to cover the cost.
The ESAT and TMUA are designed around the A-level curriculum, so we recommend that Italian students familiarise themselves with the question format, as it differs from what they are used to. We use official practice tests and materials from the Imperial website as the basis of preparation. Students from Italian liceo scientifico backgrounds usually do well on the mathematics modules, since the Italian curriculum is rigorous, but the physics modules can require extra preparation, as the A-level approach emphasises applying concepts to new situations. We recommend starting preparation at least three months before the test date, focusing on practising under time pressure. For the TMUA, which is compulsory for Computing, it is important to practise logical reasoning and mathematical proof, since the Italian curriculum covers this less than A-levels do.
How hard is it to get into Imperial
Imperial's average acceptance rate was around 9.9% for 2025 entry, but this figure varies drastically by programme. The most competitive programmes are Computing (AI and Machine Learning MEng) with a rate of 5.2% and Mathematics and Computer Science with 4.2%. Mathematics BSc has an acceptance rate of 9.7%.
It is important to distinguish the offer rate (the percentage of candidates who receive an offer) from the acceptance rate (the percentage of candidates who ultimately enrol). Mathematics, for example, has an offer rate of 27.9%, but an acceptance rate of only 9.7%, because many candidates choose other universities or fail to meet the conditions.
For Medicine, the situation is more complex. Imperial uses the UCAT to select candidates for interview. For 2025 entry, the threshold for non-contextual Home applicants was a UCAT score above 3000, and above 2800 for contextual applicants. For 2026 entry, the UCAT has a new format with a maximum of 2700 (instead of the previous 3600), as the Abstract Reasoning section has been removed.
How to write a personal statement for STEM
The personal statement for Imperial must show deep interest in the chosen field through concrete activities. Instead of general phrases like "I love mathematics", admissions officers want to see specific projects, research and achievements.
For Computing and Engineering programmes, hands-on projects are highly valued: programming, robotics, participation in olympiads, GitHub repositories with code. If you have taken part in international competitions (IMO, IOI, IPhO), you should definitely mention it. Imperial also values independent research, online courses and reading academic papers outside the school curriculum.
For 2026 entry, UCAS introduced a new personal statement format with three structured sections, each answering a specific question. This makes writing easier, as it gives clear guidance on what to cover.
Italian maths and physics competitions, especially participation at national or international level, resonate very well with Imperial admissions officers, as they demonstrate the ability to solve problems under pressure. Beyond that, programming projects with publicly available code, participation in robotics competitions and independent research in STEM fields are what set a candidate apart. In our experience, Imperial particularly values candidates who can show practical application of theoretical knowledge, so even smaller projects with concrete results are worth more than passive participation in large programmes.
What are the language requirements
Imperial has two levels of English language requirement: standard and higher. Most STEM courses fall under the standard level, which requires IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or TOEFL 92 with a minimum of 20 in each section.
This is lower than what Oxford (7.5) or Cambridge (7.5) require, which makes Imperial more accessible for students whose first language is not English. Alongside IELTS and TOEFL, Imperial also accepts PTE Academic (62 with a minimum of 56 in each section) and the Duolingo English Test (125).
If you attended a school teaching in English for the last two years, you may be exempt from sitting a language test. Details on exemptions are available on the English language exemptions page.
How much does it cost to study at Imperial
Tuition fees for international students on undergraduate programmes range from around £37,900 to £53,700 a year depending on the programme. Engineering and Computing courses are usually in the range of £39,000 to £42,000, while medical programmes are more expensive.
Alongside tuition, you also need to budget for the cost of living in London. Imperial estimates monthly living costs at around £1,200-1,500, including accommodation, food, transport and personal expenses. London is one of the most expensive cities for students in Europe.
Imperial offers a limited number of scholarships for international students, but competition is extremely high. Most families from Italy rely on private funding or loans. The UCAS application costs £28.50 to apply to up to five universities.
Financial planning for Imperial requires a realistic approach, since scholarships for international students are rare and highly competitive. We advise families to prepare a detailed budget for three to four years that includes not just tuition and accommodation, but also cost growth of around 5% a year. London is an extremely expensive city, and real living costs are often higher than what the university states on its website. For families for whom the full cost is not feasible, we consider alternative universities with a similar quality of programme but lower tuition, or combining this with the possibility of part-time work of up to 20 hours a week during term. We discuss finances transparently from the first meeting, because there is no point investing a year of preparation if the budget is not realistic.
What the selection process and interviews look like
Imperial does not interview every candidate. For most Engineering programmes, interviews are held online and only shortlisted candidates are invited, based on ESAT results and the UCAS application. For Medicine, all candidates who pass the UCAT threshold and meet the academic requirements are invited to an MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews) interview.
The MMI format for Medicine consists of seven stations of five minutes each, with each station testing different competencies: teamwork, motivation, ethics, empathy, data interpretation. Imperial states that it interviews around a third of Medicine candidates.
For Engineering programmes, interviews are not standard, but may be offered to some candidates at the discretion of admissions tutors. If you are invited, the interview is usually held online and focuses on your interest in the field and your problem-solving ability.
FAQ
Can I apply with an Italian secondary school diploma directly?
Yes, Imperial accepts the Italian secondary school diploma (diploma di maturita) with an average grade of 4.5+/5, with a grade of 5 in relevant subjects.
Does Imperial prefer the IB or A-levels?
Imperial treats both qualifications equally. There is no preference between the IB diploma and A-levels; what matters is simply meeting the requirements for your chosen programme.
What if I miss the January deadline?
Imperial rarely considers late applications. The only option is Clearing in August, but Imperial usually has no places left for the most popular programmes.
Do extracurricular activities help?
Only if they are STEM-relevant. Projects, competitions and research in your field help significantly. Sport and music do not help directly, unless they demonstrate transferable skills such as leadership.
Getting into Imperial from Italy is an ambitious but achievable goal for students with excellent grades in mathematics and science, combined with a clear focus on STEM projects and activities outside school. The deadlines are clear, the requirements transparent, but the competition extremely high.
If you are not sure whether your child has the right profile for Imperial, and which programmes are most realistic given their grades and extracurricular activities, we can go through your situation in a free 30 minute consultation.
