Entrance requirements

A first-class or upper second-class degree in a relevant subject will be the normal entry requirement for UK graduates. Applicants with other relevant experience and skills may also be considered. All applicants must demonstrate a high level of competence in written and spoken English as well as in French and/or German and/or Italian and/or Spanish. Students with Portuguese must also demonstrate a high level of Spanish. The level of competence in the modern language will be tested at interview and/or by the submission of a recent uncorrected piece of written work.

Applicants who are based in the UK will be interviewed throughout the academic year (some applicants may be put on a waiting list till September). Overseas applicants will be interviewed via email (preferably) or telephone. Early application is advisable since places are strictly limited, but all applications will be considered and may be submitted at any time of the year. A closing date of 1 May applies for the bursaries.

Non-native speakers of English

If your first degree was from a university in the UK, you are asked to submit with your application a piece of coursework from that degree as evidence of competence in English. Other non-native speakers of English must submit with their application, or as soon as possible afterwards, a photocopy of a certificate at the required minimum standard for one of the following:

• English Language Testing Service administered by the British Council (IELTS): minimum overall score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four categories (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
• TOEFL* test administered in the USA: minimum score of 610 in the paper-based test, plus 5 in the test of written English; or minimum score of 253 in the computer-based test, plus an essay rating of 5
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: minimum score of Grade C
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: minimum score of Grade A.

*For details about how to obtain an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, contact: