For 2026 entry, the University of Exeter（埃克塞特大学） requires Chinese bachelor’s graduates to hold a minimum average of 75% for programmes that ask for a UK 2:1, and 70% for those that ask for a UK 2:2. Both thresholds can be lowered by up to three and two percentage points respectively at the university’s discretion.
What the two thresholds mean
| UK degree classification | China Grade (minimum average) | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| 2:1 | 0.75 (75%) | Up to 3 percentage points lower |
| 2:2 | 0.7 (70%) | Up to 2 percentage points lower |
The university publishes these figures as “China Grade” equivalents. The flexibility allowance is not automatic; admissions teams apply it case by case.
Which programmes require the higher 2:1 threshold
Only the programmes listed below ask for a 2:1 (75% minimum). Every other taught master’s at Exeter accepts the 2:2 threshold (70% minimum).
Department of Computer Science
MSc Advanced Computer Science
MSc Advanced Computer Science with Business
MSc Advanced Data Science
MSc Cyber Security Analytics
MSc Computer Science
MSc Data Science
MSc Generative Artificial Intelligence
MSc Human Centred Artificial Intelligence
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
MSc Marine and Coastal Sustainability
MSc Sustainable Development
MSc Energy Policy
MSc Exploration and Mining Geology
Department of Ecology and Conservation
MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
MSc Evolution, Behaviour and Ecology
MSc Marine Environmental Management
MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
Department of Geography
MSc Geographical Information Science
MSc Global Sustainability Solutions
Department of Mathematics
MSc Mathematics
MSc Biomedical Data and Artificial Intelligence
MSc Statistics
MSc Weather and Climate Science
Department of Physics and Astronomy
MSc Physics
Business School
MSc Business Analytics
MSc Business and AI
MSc Management
MSc Sports Management
MSc Economics
MSc Economics: Behavioural Insights
MSc Economics: Development Economics
MSc Finance
School of Education
MSc Psychology (Conversion)
If a programme you are interested in does not appear above, it falls under the 2:2 (70%) requirement.
English language requirements
For Business, Arts, and most Engineering programmes the language requirement has been standardised to IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 5.5. The university notes that individual course pages have not yet been updated to reflect this change; check the relevant course page before applying.
Scholarships
Exeter will continue to offer a mix of scholarships at three value bands — £3,000, £5,000, and £10,000. Eligibility criteria, selection rules, and application windows are still to be confirmed.
How to self‑check before you apply
- Identify the exact master’s programme you want.
- Confirm whether it appears in the 2:1 list above.
- Calculate your bachelor’s average as a percentage.
- Compare it to 75% (2:1 programmes) or 70% (all other programmes).
- If you are within 3 points (2:1) or 2 points (2:2) of the threshold, you may still be considered — but there is no guarantee.
- Verify the current English language requirement on the programme’s own webpage, as updates are rolling out.
- Monitor the university’s scholarship pages for the 2026 cycle details.