As it is presently set up, PRIME is primarily designed for students who have an engineering or science undergraduate background (this includes applied mathematics and computer science). Students from an industrial design background may qualify, depending upon background, as may students who have a significant technical background via some other route. A degree in the field is not necessary, but a significant amount of background (more than just a few courses) is desirable. This is because each student will have to develop a business plan around a technology area. Several students from an industrial design background and others with no undergraduate technical degrees have also successfully completed the program.

Regarding TOEFL, the recommended minimum score for admission consideration is 577 on the paper-based test and 90 on the Internet-based test. For IELTS, the recommended minimum overall band score is 7.