Qualifications
Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain before September 2025, an undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK) in a relevant area.
Ideally, we would expect applicants to hold a 1st or 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree.
Where applicants hold a 2.2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent), they should very clearly show their relevant prior experience and skills, and their suitability to undertake a PhD, in their application to provide a competitive comparison.
Some projects have more specific requirements. These are outlined in the project’s detailed information available via links from the Projects List.
English Language Proficiency
International students may be required to show that they meet the English language requirements of their primary institution (where their proposed primary/lead supervisor is based).
St George's English language requirements for international students
English proficiency (for applicants whose first language is not English)
All applicants are required to demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is high enough to derive full benefit from the course.
An applicant whose first language is not English can usually only be exempt from an English language test if they have studied their undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country.
Many countries teach degrees in English. However, as the amount of English that is used (with regards to teaching and examination) varies greatly from country to country and even institution to institution, we require that either a Secure English Language Test (IELTS, Cambridge English) is taken or that an applicant obtains one of the below educational qualifications.
A national of a UKVI Majority English Language Speaking Country:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
- United Kingdom.
Not from majority English country but completed a qualification at least equivalent to UK Bachelor’s level degree according to UK NARIC in one of the below:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
- United Kingdom.
British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
For Postgraduate Research Degrees, St George's, University of London accepts a minimum score of 6.5 overall (with no section less than 6.0).
Pearsons (PTE Academic) Test
Score must be overall 64 (in all elements).
Cambridge English Advanced
Level must be C1.
Cambridge English Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English)
Level must be C1 (minimum score of 45).
The minimum scores and grades given above are subject to review. Alternative forms of evidence will be considered on an individual basis.