Postgraduate entry requirements
Applicants from China need to have completed a Bachelor's degree (Xueshi) from a recognised university in China with a final grade of 75–85% in order to enter onto a Master’s degree. Minimum requirements will vary depending on the university at which you studied and the subject you wish to study at Birkbeck. Relevant work experience may also be taken into account.
If you do not meet these criteria, you can apply for Birkbeck’sInternational Foundation Programme, which acts as a bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate study, preparing students to study a Master’s degree in the UK. There are progression pathways onto various courses at Birkbeck.
Another option is the Master's Foundation programme, which is available for 2- or 3-term progression onto a wide range of Master’s Degrees at Birkbeck.
Chinese degree classifications:
90% (alternative name: 1st)
80% (alternative name: 2:1)
70% (alternative name: 2:2).
Research degrees entry requirements
We generally expect applicants to have a Master's degree (Shuoshi) from a recognised university in China with a final grade of 75–85%. Minimum requirements will vary depending on the university at which you studied; students who have studied at one of the 211 universities will be accepted with a minimum of 75%. A key consideration will be the quality of your research proposal.
General English language requirements postgraduate and MPhil/PhD courses
IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 in each of the sub tests): please note we only accept the Academic, not the General Test.
Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English: the minimum score required will be ISE II (equivalent to IELTS 5.5); however, admissions tutors may ask for a higher score depending on the course entry requirements - for example ISE III (equivalent to IELTS 7.0).
IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 in each of the sub tests): please note we only accept the Academic, not the General Test.
Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English: the minimum score required will be ISE II (equivalent to IELTS 5.5); however, admissions tutors may ask for a higher score depending on the course entry requirements - for example ISE III (equivalent to IELTS 7.0).
English requirements for courses in Arts Policy, English Literature, Law and Psychology
IELTS 7.0 (with 6.5 in each of the sub tests, and at least 7.0 in writing or equivalent): please note we only accept the Academic, not the General Test.
Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English: the minimum score required will be ISE III (equivalent to IELTS 7.0).
English language courses before you enrol
Settle into London life, familiarise yourself with the British approach to learning and improve your English before your course begins!
If you have not met the English language condition of your offer to study with us, or you feel that your English language skills need improvement, we offer pre-sessional English language courses:
4-week pre-sessional English course: Our pre-sessional English for Academic purposes is an intensive course that introduces students whose first language is not English to the conventions of academic study at a UK university. The focus is on academic reading, writing, speaking and listening. This skills-based course is restricted to students who have already been offered a place at university. Students eligible for the 4-week pre-sessional are ones who achieve an IELTS 6.5 but score less than 6.0 in one subtest (but no lower than 5.5).
10-week pre-sessional English course: This course combines all the language teaching of the pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes course, but in greater depth. Students will progress onto their main course of study at Birkbeck upon successful completion. Students who are eligible for the 10-week pre-sessional must have a minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 per subtest).
Please note that if you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, unless you have already obtained a Bachelor's degree from a 'majority English-speaking country' as defined by the UKVI or are a national of one of these countries, then you will be asked to obtain an English language score equivalent to IELTS 5.5, with at least 5.5 in each subtest.