International qualification equivalencies
Entry Requirements Guidance for International Students
The international entry requirements table (below) is an approximate guide to a number of international qualifications which Loughborough University would normally accept for entry to its postgraduate programmes.
Guide to reading the table
The entry requirements to our postgraduate degrees may be found within the individual programme descriptions. Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications (i.e. First Class honours, Upper Second, Lower Second). Therefore, if a postgraduate degree programme requires an Upper Second honours degree for entry, the table below indicates you are expected to achieve: 80%+ or 85%+ from a Chinese University (depending on the rank of the Chinese University), a First from India (60%+ or 65%+ depending on the rank of the Indian University), GPA 3.8+ from Nigeria, and so on.
International entry requirements table
If the entry requirement given within the course description is stated in UK degree terms as 'First', 'Upper Second' or 'Lower second' then an indication of the minimum requirements for the listed countries is shown in the table below:
| First | Upper Second | Lower Second | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.0 |
| Azerbaijan | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Bahrain (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Brazil | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.0 |
| Brunei | First | Upper Second | Lower Second |
| Canada (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Chile | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| China - high ranking University e.g. 211 Project Universities |
83% | 80% | 78% |
| China - lower ranking University | 90% | 85% | 80% |
| Colombia | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Cyprus | 8.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| France | Très bien | Bien | Bien |
| Germany | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Ghana | First | Upper Second | Lower Second |
| Greece | 8.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Hong Kong (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| India - high ranking University e.g. Top Collegiate Universities |
First 65% |
First 60% |
Upper Second 55% |
| India - lower ranking University | First with distinction 70% |
First 65% |
Upper Second 60% |
| Iran | 18 | 16 | 14 |
| Ireland (Rep of) | First | Upper Second | Lower Second |
| Jordan (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Kazakhstan | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Kenya | First / 70% / A | Upper Second / 65% / B | Lower Second / 55% / B-C |
| Kuwait (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Malaysia (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Mexico | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Nigeria - 5 point scale | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Nigeria - classification | First | Upper second | Upper Second |
| Norway | A (1.5) | B (2.5) | C (3.2) |
| Oman (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Pakistan | First / 65% | Upper Second / 60% | Lower Second / 50% |
| Qatar (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Russia | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Saudi Arabia (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Singapore | First | Upper Second | Lower Second |
| South Korea | 4.0 / A | 3.0 / B | 2.5 / C+ |
| Spain | 9.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Sri Lanka | 70% | 60% | 55% |
| Taiwan – National University | 80% | 75% | 70% |
| Taiwan – Private University | 85% | 80% | 75% |
| Thailand (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| UAE (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| USA (GPA 4.0 scale) | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Vietnam | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
When assessing applications, the University considers a range of factors, including:
- Average marks, a GPA or final grade
- Marks or grades achieved for individual subjects or modules taken, particularly where they provide an important foundation for further study at postgraduate level
- The ranking or reputation of the University
- Evidence of competence in English language
- Personal statement
- Academic references from two members of staff from your current university
- For some degrees work experience or a professional qualification may be required in addition to an academic qualification
- For some degrees a portfolio, example of written work, or evidence of practical skills are required
The grade equivalences listed should be interpreted as a general indication of the marks required to gain entry. Due to the range of factors considered when assessing an application, it is impractical to adhere to exact percentage requirements or equivalences between marks gained in different countries.
