Direct answer
For 2026/27 postgraduate entry, Royal Holloway, University of London requires Chinese applicants to hold a Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university. Most Master’s courses ask for a minimum of 65% to 75% or a GPA of 2.8/4.0 to 3.2/4.0. A UK Second Class Honours degree or equivalent overseas qualification is generally required. Some courses require a UK 2:1 equivalent, though a high 2:2 (57% or more) may be considered. All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The final international application deadline for September 2026 entry is August 21, 2026.
Chinese degree requirements
Postgraduate applicants from China need a Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university with good grades or GPA. The official page does not publish a list of recognised Chinese institutions; it states only that the degree must be from a reputable university.
Grade and GPA thresholds
Most departments require a minimum of 65% to 75% or a GPA of 2.8/4.0 to 3.2/4.0 for Master’s degrees. The official page does not break this range down by individual course, so the precise threshold for a specific programme must be confirmed directly with the published course page.
UK degree equivalence
A UK Second Class Honours degree or equivalent overseas qualification is generally required for Master’s degrees. Some Master’s courses require a UK 2:1 equivalent, but a high 2:2 (57% or more) may be considered. The official page does not state which courses accept a high 2:2, so this detail requires live rechecking on the relevant course page.
Research degree requirements
For MPhil or PhD entry, a Master’s degree from a reputable university with good grades or GPA is typically required. The official page does not specify a percentage or GPA threshold for research applicants, so this must be verified against the specific departmental entry criteria.
English language proficiency
All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The official page does not list the accepted tests or the minimum scores; it confirms only that proof of proficiency is a required document. Pre-sessional English language programmes are available for those who do not meet the English requirements.
Alternative entry routes
International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements can consider a Pre-Masters Programme. The official page mentions this pathway but does not detail its entry criteria, duration, or progression conditions.
Application deadlines
Applications for 2026 postgraduate entry are currently open. The final application deadline for international applicants for September 2026 entry is August 21, 2026. For a January 2027 start, the application deadline is December 7, 2026.
Required documents
The required documents for a postgraduate application are transcripts, degree certificates, proof of English proficiency, a personal statement, and a passport. The official page does not specify formatting requirements, word limits, or additional course-specific documents.
What the official page does not confirm
The official page does not publish a Chinese institution list, course-by-course grade thresholds, accepted English language test types or scores, Pre-Masters Programme entry criteria, or any application fee. These points require live rechecking on the relevant Royal Holloway course or admissions pages. The page also does not mention Clearing participation or any guaranteed offer schemes.
FAQ
What is the minimum percentage required for a Chinese Bachelor’s degree holder?
Most departments require a minimum of 65% to 75%, depending on the course. The official page does not assign a single percentage to all programmes.
Is a UK 2:2 degree accepted for Master’s entry?
Some Master’s courses require a UK 2:1 equivalent, but a high 2:2 (57% or more) may be considered. The official page does not list which courses accept this.
What English language tests does Royal Holloway accept?
The official page states that all non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency, but it does not name the accepted tests or the required scores on this page.
Can I apply without meeting the English requirement?
Pre-sessional English language programmes are available for applicants who do not meet the English requirements. The official page does not detail the length, entry levels, or dates of these programmes.
What is the deadline for international applicants starting in September 2026?
The final application deadline for international applicants for September 2026 entry is August 21, 2026.
Is a Pre-Masters Programme available for Chinese applicants?
Yes, international students who do not meet direct entry requirements can consider a Pre-Masters Programme. The official page does not specify the entry requirements for this pathway.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn exclusively from the Royal Holloway, University of London postgraduate entry requirements page for Chinese applicants for 2026/27, published on the official Royal Holloway website. For related guidance on education agents, see education agent roles in UK teaching applications. For Chinese-language context on education-focused agencies, see Related guide 1. For a broader discussion of agent recommendations for Russell Group-type universities, see Related guide 2. For a separate institution guide, see Le Cordon Bleu London 2026 guide.