English Language requirements
If your first language is not English you may be required to produce evidence of your English language proficiency. This is in addition to any academic entry requirements.
The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) regulations concerning English language qualifications require all applicants entering into the UK with a Tier 4 visa to reach a minimum standard in English.
- The rules state that applicants wishing to study at degree level must have achieved a B2 level in each of the four language components.
- Further Tier 4 policy guidance is available on the UKBA website.
Applicants who need to improve their English language skills may be able to attend a pre-sessional course during the summer with the English Language Centre.
IELTS, TOEFL
The usual requirement for entry to an undergraduate programme of study is a minimum of IELTS 6.5, although a few programmes accept 6.0 and some more linguistically demanding programmes require 7.0. Please check the entry requirements carefully for your chosen programme.
The table below shows the equivalent grades for the IELTS, TOEFL and PTE Academic
| IELTS | TOEFL | PTE Academic | |
| IELTS 6.0 | With no less than than 5.5 in any element |
|
59 with no less than 51 in any element |
| IELTS 6.5 | With no less than 6.0 in any element |
|
62 with no less than 59 in any element |
| IELTS 7 | No less than 6.5 in any element |
|
69 with no less than 62 in any element |
International Schools
If you studied in an International School then you should have followed a curriculum and taken examinations that are accepted in the UK for university entry. Typical examples would be students in schools that have followed the US or UK curriculum or the International Baccalaureate (IB) system.
In these cases typical language requirements are:
| Qualification | Level required |
| European Baccalaureate | English Language 1 6.0 minimum, English Language 2 7.0 minimum, English Language 3 7.0-7.5 minimum, English Language 4 refer |
| International Baccalaureate |
Depending on the English course and level that you have taken the minimum English requirements will range between a 4 to 6. |
| GCSE English Language | Grade C or above. |
| GCE Advanced Level English Language | Grade C or above. |
| IGCSE English Language (as a first language) | Grade C or above. |
| IGCSE English Language (as a second language) | Grade B or above where IELTS is required at 6.0, not acceptable for programmes requiring 6.5 or more. |
| Cambridge O Level English Language | Grade C or above. |
| Cambridge Certificate | Certificate of Proficiency in English Grade B or above Certificate of Advanced English Grade A |
Country Specific
We also accept some alternative qualifications in place of IELTS or TEOFL:
| Qualification | Level required |
| Hong Kong Examinations Authority Advanced Use of English | Grade C or above |
| Hong Kong Certificate of Education English Language (Syllabus B) | English Language Level 3 or above |
| French Baccalaureate | 14 in English language component |
| India CBSE and ISC (Indian examination boards) | 75% minimum in the English language component and 80% for programmes requiring 7.0 IELTS. |
| Germany Abitur | 11 out of 15 or 2 out of 6 in English Language |
| Norway Vitnemal- vidergaende opplaering | A minimum of a 5 in the English Language component is generally acceptable but programmes requiring 7.0 IELTS may wish to see further evidence of English language ability. |
| Switzerland –Matura | Minimum of 5 in the English Language component |
| Malaysia | A compulsory element of the SPM is a Cambridge International O level (previously called 1119). Although not on the certificate it will be reported on the results slip and a 6C grade or above will be asked for. |
| Nigeria WASSCE | Pass English Language with a minimum of C4 |
