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Undergraduate · Imperial Mechanical Engineering

Imperial Mechanical Engineering MEng: entry, ESAT and interview

Imperial's Mechanical Engineering MEng asks for Mathematics and Physics at the top grade, a three-module ESAT and an online interview with a member of academic staff. Its entry rules are specific to this department, and nothing on this page should be read across to Imperial's other engineering courses. This guide is written for families planning 2028 entry. Everything cycle-specific in it was last verified for 2027 entry, because Imperial has not yet published its 2028-entry requirements.

Official information · last verified for 2027 entry

What Imperial asks for in Mechanical Engineering

Taken from Imperial's official Mechanical Engineering MEng course page and last verified on 20 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Imperial's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.

A*A*A or A*AAA, with Mathematics and Physics

The minimum A-level standard is A*A*A or A*AAA, to include an A* in Mathematics and an A or A* in Physics (A* when applying with three A levels). The typical offer is A*A*A* with three A levels and A*A*AA with four, and typical offers can be higher than the minimum. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted, and an offer-holder must pass the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer. In the IB the minimum is 40 points including 6 in Higher Level Mathematics and Physics, with a typical offer of 40 points including 7s in both.

IB Mathematics: both syllabi accepted, Analysis and Approaches preferred

Imperial accepts both IB Mathematics syllabi at Higher Level, but says Analysis and Approaches is preferred.

The ESAT is compulsory: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics

Applicants must sit the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) as part of the application. The three modules are Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics, and each has 27 multiple-choice questions and lasts 40 minutes.

An online interview of 25 to 30 minutes

The interview is 25 to 30 minutes with a member of academic staff, held online on Wednesday afternoons between November and March. Imperial may ask about the personal statement and some mathematics and physics, and explores the applicant's ability to think like an engineer.

ATAS, and one route in for the department

Unless the applicant is from an exempt nationality, Imperial says an ATAS certificate is needed to obtain the visa and study the course. All students apply initially to MEng Mechanical Engineering and then apply to transfer to another course in the Department at the appropriate time, subject to selection criteria.

Official sources

Last verified on 20 October 2026 for 2027 entry, on Imperial's Mechanical Engineering MEng course page. The 2025 applications-to-places ratio quoted in the guide is history, not a requirement. ESAT sittings and booking windows are cycle-specific and are not stated. Other Imperial engineering departments were not read.

The course

One department, one set of rules

Mechanical Engineering is delivered by Imperial's Department of Mechanical Engineering as a four-year MEng, with variants that add a year abroad or a year in industry. Imperial says all students apply initially to MEng Mechanical Engineering and then apply to transfer to another course in the Department at the appropriate time, with selection criteria that may apply. The entry rules below belong to this department: do not assume that another Imperial engineering department asks for the same subjects, modules or interview.

Reading the offer

Mathematics and Physics are both specified

Imperial specifies both subjects, and it matters how many A levels you take.

Three A levels or four

With three A levels Imperial asks for A*A*A including an A* in Mathematics and an A* in Physics. With four it asks for A*AAA including an A* in Mathematics and at least an A in Physics.

Typical offers are higher than the minimum

Imperial's typical offer is A*A*A* with three A levels and A*A*AA with four, based on the offers made by the department to at least 50% of its 2025-entry A level and IB applicants who were yet to achieve their grades. Plan towards the typical offer, not the minimum.

Not accepted, and the practical

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. If a science A level has a practical endorsement, an offer-holder must pass it.

The IB

Imperial's minimum is 40 points including 6 in Higher Level Mathematics and Physics, and the typical offer is 40 points including 7s in both. Both IB Mathematics syllabi are accepted at Higher Level, with Analysis and Approaches preferred.

The ESAT

Three modules, all compulsory

Imperial says applicants must sit the ESAT as part of the application, and that the three modules for this course are Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. Each has 27 multiple-choice questions and lasts 40 minutes. Check which modules each course on your list requires before you book, because the choice of modules is made at booking. The ESAT is run by University Admissions Tests UK, and its sittings and booking windows change each cycle, so they are not stated here.

The interview

Online, with academic staff

The interview is 25 to 30 minutes with a member of academic staff, held online on Wednesday afternoons between November and March. Imperial says it may ask about what you have written in your personal statement, some mathematics and physics, and explore your ability to think like an engineer.

Be able to discuss your statement

Imperial asks you to describe what you have done to find out about mechanical engineering, including work placements, industrial visits and projects or hobbies. Be ready to talk about each one.

Practise talking through mathematics and physics

Rehearse working through problems aloud, since the interview explores how you think as well as what you know.

Expect a long wait

For 2027 entry Imperial warned that it accepted applications until the end of January and continued to make decisions until the end of March, so applicants might not hear anything until March even if they applied early.

International applicants

ATAS

Imperial says that, unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course. Its page lists the exempt nationalities and gives the details to use when applying. ATAS is a UK government scheme, so check the current rules before you rely on this summary.

Context

How competitive the course has been

Imperial's page shows 13 applications for every place for 2025. That is a historical figure about a past cohort. It is not a requirement and it does not predict any individual result.

Planning for 2028 entry

Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication

Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Imperial has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Imperial published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Imperial has not yet published it.

Grades, subject rules, the ESAT modules and the interview format: last verified for 2027 entry

These are the best guide to what to prepare. Imperial has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.

Application deadline, ESAT sittings and booking windows: awaiting publication for 2028 entry

Check Imperial's course page and the test provider's key dates for the 2028-entry values when they appear.

What to do now

Plan Mathematics and Physics at the top grade, decide whether a fourth A level is realistic, and start collecting concrete engineering experience to talk about in the statement and interview.

Support

Independent support with course strategy and preparation

Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Imperial College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor working within one advisory plan. Support is tailored to the student, and no outcome is promised.

Questions

Questions applicants ask

Is the ESAT compulsory for Imperial Mechanical Engineering?

Yes. Imperial says applicants must sit the ESAT as part of the application, with the modules Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. That was Imperial's rule for 2027 entry.

What A levels does Imperial ask for?

A*A*A or A*AAA, to include an A* in Mathematics and an A or A* in Physics (A* when applying with three A levels). This is Imperial's wording for 2027 entry.

Is there an interview?

Yes. The interview is 25 to 30 minutes with a member of academic staff, held online on Wednesday afternoons between November and March.

Does Imperial prefer Analysis and Approaches?

Imperial accepts both IB Mathematics syllabi at Higher Level, but says Analysis and Approaches is preferred.

Do international applicants need an ATAS certificate?

Imperial says that unless you are from an exempt nationality you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course. Check Imperial's list of exempt nationalities and the current rules.

Are these the rules for 2028 entry?

No. They are Imperial's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Imperial publishes its 2028-entry requirements.

Students and families

Talk to us about Imperial Mechanical Engineering

Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Mathematics and Physics, whether a fourth A level is possible, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.

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