Liverpool combines a warm welcome to Chinese students with the prestige of a Russell Group university. The city has a long relationship with China and is home to Europe's oldest Chinese community. Many of our alumni China achieve great success and hold leadership roles in China and Hong Kong. Liverpool alumnus Dong Jianhua was Hong Kong's first Chief Executive.
What I really love about the University of Liverpool is the diversity here and the freedom. The professors and students are very friendly and positive. It fascinates me to see all kinds of ideas colliding and sparking.
Entry requirements
You can find details of qualifications from your country below.
Some of these qualifications may be accepted as equivalent to our typical academic requirements. For others, we may require you to complete a Foundation Certificate or Pre-Master's course first.
You'll also need to check our course pages to view the specific entry requirements, including any additional criteria, for your intended course.
If you're wondering what's the difference between an undergraduate degree and a master's, we can help. We've pulled together a guide to the variety of awards and research opportunities we offer, so you can find the type of degree that's right for you.
Undergraduate degrees
Students who have completed 12 years of education (Gao Zhong) in China must complete a Foundation Programme or GCE A Level (or equivalent) and demonstrate proficiency in English language in order to progress on to an undergraduate degree programme. Please note that students who have taken the Chinese University Entrance Exam (Gao Kao) in China are also required to complete a Foundation Programme.
The University of Liverpool has an embedded college on campus, the University of Liverpool International College, providing Foundation Certificate programmes which prepares students for undergraduate study. Students who successfully complete the Foundation Certificate, obtaining the grades required for their chosen degree programme, will be guaranteed admission to the University.
Students taking GCE A-level (or equivalent qualifications) should apply through UCAS.
Students who have completed 12 years of education (Gao Zhong) in China and who have taken Aptitude Scholastic Tests (ASTs) are eligible to be considered for direct entry to the first year on some undergraduate programmes. Students will be expected to achieve minimum scores of 200/300 in at least two AST tests in subject areas relevant to the degree course as appropriate. Where specific A Level subjects are required for entry to a course an AST in this subject will be compulsory. Applicants should also achieve a minimum of 80% overall in their senior secondary school certificate.
Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU) is an international university jointly founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University China and the University of Liverpool UK as a joint venture. The University offers undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of science, engineering and management, and awards both its own Chinese degree and a degree from the University of Liverpool. Students at XJTLU can transfer to Liverpool for the final two years at the University through a 2+2 articulation route.
Students who have studied one year undergraduate programme from a recognised Chinese university may be considered for direct entry to the first year on some undergraduate programmes. If students have studied more than two years on an undergraduate programme from a recognised Chinese university, they may be considered for direct entry to the second year. However, we strongly advise you to check this with the Admissions of the relevant programme before making the application.
Students who have completed the Maple Leaf World School Program (MLWSP) in China will be considered for direct entry to the first year of undergraduate courses. Students will be expected to achieve a minimum of 75-80% in the MLWSP Diploma across five Grade 12 subjects. Where specific A Level subjects are required for entry to a course these should have been taken as a Grade 12 subject in the MLWSP Diploma with a minimum of 75-80% achieved.
Don't meet our entry requirements for undergraduate?
If you have good high school grades but don't meet our entry requirements, don't worry. You could apply for a place on a Foundation Certificate. These courses are delivered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College.
Successful completion of a Foundation Certificate, at the required level and with good attendance, will guarantee your place on your chosen University of Liverpool undergraduate degree.
Master's courses
Entry requirements differ between courses but generally taught master's applications with a bachelor's degree from a recognised Chinese university, with overall average academic grades between 70% to 83% (depending on the level of Chinese university), will be considered for admissions onto taught masters programmes.
Please refer to the entry requirements tab of individual programmes for further guidance. Visit our postgraduate pages to find out more about applying to the University.
Students who do not meet the entry requirements stated above and students who hold a three-year diploma (Da Zhuan) from a recognised Chinese university with good grades, may be eligible for the University’s pre-Master's Programme delivered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College. This programme prepares students for master's level study both academically and linguistically. Students who successfully complete the pre-master's programme, obtaining the grades required for their chosen master's degree, will be guaranteed admission to the University. Applicants from China should contact the University of Liverpool International College for admission to the pre-master's Programme at UOLIC.
Important notice for University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS) and Department of Computer Science courses:
If you will complete or have completed your Bachelor Degree programme fully or partially in China and seek to apply for a Postgraduate Taught Degree programme at the University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS) or Department of Computer Science, you will need to submit your Triage Service Number with your online application. You can obtain the Triage Service Number by accessing our WeChat account (search for ‘ApplyLiverpool’).
Don't meet our entry requirements for postgraduate taught?
If you hold a bachelors' degree or equivalent but don't meet our entry requirements, don't worry. You could apply for a place on a Pre-Master's course.
These courses are delivered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College. Successful completion of a Pre-Master's, at the required level and with good attendance, will guarantee your place on your chosen University of Liverpool master's degree.
Postgraduate research degrees
Applicants with an undergraduate bachelor's degree with a minimum grade of 80% or a master degree from a recognised Chinese university will be considered for postgraduate research programmes of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Visit our postgraduate pages to see a full list of research programmes. For more information about applying to the university, visit our postgraduate applying pages.
As the research programmes involve individual supervision, we would like to recommend the applicant makes initial enquiries with the potential supervisors or the relevant Department or School first. Please note that a research proposal is essential in submitting the application.
You could receive a tuition fee discount worth up to £7,500 for eligible master's students, up to £5,000 for eligible undergraduate students, or up to £2,500 for University of Liverpool graduates.
We also offer a variety of other scholarships and bursaries for eligible international students to help make studying at university more affordable.
Our tuition fees vary depending on your course and your confirmed fee status as either an international or UK (‘home') student. You'll find our tuition fees listed on each course page.
You'll also need to budget for covering your living costs while studying with us. This includes your accommodation and travel expenses, such as flights to the UK.
You may wish to use an approved educational advisor, known as an agent, when you apply to study with us.
Agents can help you find the right course and assist with your application. They can also provide advice on things like visas, accommodation, scholarships and travel.
