Introduction

In relation to the admission of students wishing to undertake a graduate programme, and in the context of giving appropriate attention to relevant equal opportunities principles and legislation, the University regards as an overriding priority:

1. For taught course degrees: the admission of the most suitably qualified candidates, well matched to their chosen course;
2. For research degrees: the admission of the most suitably qualified candidates for whom the University can provide appropriate research opportunities and supervision;
3. The selection of the most academically able set of candidates who meet the admissions criteria for the available places.

Criteria

Applications will normally be considered in the light of a candidate's ability to meet the following criteria:

1. Academic ability:
   1. The applicant has provided appropriate indications of proven and potential academic excellence. Appropriate indications may include two or more references, academic transcrips or their equivalent, and performance at interview(s).
   2. The applicant has provided sufficient evidence, in the view of the assessors, to suggest that they have the academic ability and commitment to pursue the chosen programme to a successful conclusion within the required time limits.
   3. Applicants are normally expected to have achieved an upper second class or first class Honours Degree (or equivalent) in Mathematics, Physics or Engineering or an equivalent qualification. Candidates with a first degree in other science subjects or other numerate subjects will normally be expected to show some evidence that they have satisfactory mathematical pre-requisites for the course. Similarly, candidates with suitable industrial or vocational experience who can demonstrate satisfactory mathematical pre-requisites will be considered.

2. English language requirement:

   Applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. Candidates are normally expected to meet one of the following criteria:

   • For IELTS an overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.
   • For TOEFL an overall score of 630 with a Test of Written English (TWE) of 5. For the computer-based TOEFL test, an overall score of 267 with an Essay Writing score of 5, and for the new internet-based TOEFL test, an overall score of 109.
   • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Grade B.

3. Suitability:

   The programme of study that the applicant wishes to pursue is well suited to the academic interests and abilities to which they have drawn attention in their application and (where appropriate) the applicant has undertaken any preliminary academic work or course that is normally considered indispensable to acceptance on the proposed programme of study.

   The course organisers are able to provide appropriate supervision and facilities for the candiate's chosen programme of work (the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the course organisers and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff).

   Well qualified candidates may not be offered a place because:

   • secure funding is not available (places offered on a conditional basis will not be confirmed without a financial guarantee);
   • there are constraints on the availability of research facilities (especially laboratory and library space) and on supervision;
   • there are limitations on the size of taught graduate courses;
   • there are limitations on the numbers of students which can be admitted onto research programmes;
   • other candidates have been judged to match more closely the admissions criteria.

   It should also be noted that acceptance on a particular course gives no guarantee of final success, and all courses require the student to develop their learning and skills to new levels in order to pass taught course examinations or successfully to undertake all the assessment hurdles of a research programme.