This page is specifically for those wishing to apply for a Postgraduate Research degree, if you are interested in applying for a Postgraduate taught degree, then please read the guidance on English language requirements for Postgraduate taught degrees.
If you apply to study at the University of Bath and your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English language requirements before you can start your course.
If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you will need to meet the UK Home Office requirements. You will not need to provide an English language test result if you are a national of one of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) recognised majority English-speaking countries.
You are welcome to apply before taking an English language test. If you are made an offer it will be conditional upon you providing us with evidence that you have met the English language requirements for your course. You can find what the requirements are on the relevant course page.
There are some Doctoral scholarships that require the English language requirements to be met before the deadline. You will need to check the individual scholarship webpages
Accepted English language tests
We accept various English language tests for the majority of our postgraduate taught and research degrees. The tables below show the equivalent grades for each test.
You must have passed your English language test no more than 24 months before the start date of your course.
If you defer your offer, you will need to make sure that your English language test results are still valid for the start of your course.
| Tests Accepted | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic ** | IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component | IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each component | IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in each component |
| IELTS Online ** | IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component | IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each component | IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in each component |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) only. We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test ** | 62 with no less than 59 in any component | 69 with no less than 62 in any component | 69 with no less than 69 in any component |
| Cambridge Certificate of proficiency in English (CPE) | 176 with no less than 169 in all elements | 185 with no less than 176 in all elements | 185 with no less than 185 in all elements |
| Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) | 176 with no less than 169 in all elements | 185 with no less than 176 in all elements | 185 with no less than 185 in all elements |
| TOEFL iBT ** | 90 overall with no less than 21 in any element | 100 overall with no less than 24 in any element | 100 overall with no less than 27 in any element |
| TOEFL iBT Home Edition ** | 90 overall with no less than 21 in any element | 100 overall with no less than 24 in any element | 100 overall with no less than 27 in any element |
| LanguageCert International ESOL/SELT | B2 Communicator High Pass | C1 Expert Pass | C1 Expert Pass |
| Trinity College London | ISE III with Pass in all four components | ISE III with Merit in all four components | ISE III Distinction in writing and one other component and Merit in two components |
| Indian 12th Standard (CBSE, ISC & CISCE) + Bachelors taught in English * | 75% | 80% | 80% |
*If you have graduated from an Indian university, you will need to have reached the required level of Core English in your Indian 12th Standard examinations. You must have also graduated within the last 5 years with an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors Degree or higher from a university where the medium of instruction is English. We will need evidence of your Indian 12th Standard result and an official document from your awarding university confirming that the medium of instruction is English (e.g. your transcript, your degree certificate, a letter from your university). If as part of your application you have provided an English language test result which does not meet the requirement of your chosen postgraduate course, we will not be able to accept your Indian 12th standard examinations result and confirmation you have studied at a university where the medium of instruction is English as evidence of your English ability.
** For the MA Contemporary European Studies (Euromasters) and MA Contemporary European Studies with Transatlantic Track (Euromasters), we are only able to accept an IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test result.
Duolingo - Minimum Overall Score and Subscores *
| IELTS | Duolingo Overall Score | Literacy Subscore | Comprehension Subscore | Conversation Subscore | Production Subscore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component | 120 | 120 | 130 | 115 | 100 |
| IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each component | 130 | 130 | 140 | 125 | 110 |
| IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in each component | 135 | 135 | 140 | 130 | 120 |
*We are not able to accept the Duolingo test for entry onto the MA Contemporary European Studies (Euromasters), MA Contemporary European Studies with Transatlantic Track (Euromasters), MA in Interpreting and Translating, MA Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese) and MA Translation and Professional Language Skills courses.
Exemptions
If you have studied at a level equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree in a UKVI recognised majority English-speaking country, you may be exempt from providing an English language test depending on how long it is since you graduated. Please contact your Admissions team to discuss.
Pre-sessional Programmes
Applicants who need to improve their English language skills may be able to attend a pre-sessional programmeat the University of Bath. We provide 5 to 20-week courses that will help you to improve your English and academic skills to be ready to start your studies at Bath.