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Entry requirements for Pre-sessional courses

Find out the minimum entry requirements and accepted English language tests for the 2025 Pre-sessional courses.

Pre-sessional student attending an English language lesson on campus.
Entry requirements for Pre-sessional courses at the University of Bath

Accepted tests

Secure English Language Test (SELT)

Our Pre-sessional English (PSE) courses in 2025 will take place in-person on our campus at the University of Bath.

If you need a PSE course via the standalone pathway you must provide a SELT.

Non-SELT language tests are not valid for the standalone Pre-sessional course. They can only be used for a combined offer and can only be considered if the scores equate to IELTS overall 6.0 with all component scores at 5.5 or higher.

Accepted SELT tests are:

  • IELTS for UKVI (including One Skill Retake)
  • Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

Non-SELT tests

If you receive a combined offer for the 2025 Pre-sessional course, you are advised to apply with a SELT, but you can also submit these additional tests:

  • IELTS Indicator
  • Pearsons PTE Academic
  • TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
  • LanguageCert
  • Trinity College London
  • Duolingo (separate table)

The following tables show the equivalents to IELTS in alternative tests.

If your qualification is not listed, please email english@bath.ac.uk and we will advise you.

Entry requirements

Test accepted
IELTS (including One Skill Retake) IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in each band IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each band IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each band IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in each band
Below are the approximate equivalents to IELTS in:
IELTS Indicator IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in each band IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each band IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each band IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in each band
Pearsons PTE Academic 55 with no less than 51 in any component 59 with no less than 55 in any component 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 Exams (Please note these scores are for PSE entry only and relate to the Cambridge English scale across the full Cambridge suite of exams) 162 with no less than 154 in all elements 169 with no less than 162 in all elements 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/TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition 72 overall with no less than 15 in any one component 72 overall with no less than 17 in listening and writing, 18 in reading and 20 in speaking 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 Pass with no less than 33 in each component B2 Communicator Pass with no less than 33 in each component B2 Communicator High Pass with no less than 33 in each component C1 Expert Pass with no less than 33 in each component C1 Expert Pass with no less than 33 in each component
Trinity College London ISE II with Pass in all four components ISE II with Distinction in all four components 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

Duolingo - minimum overall score and subscores for tests taken on or after 1 July 2024

IELTS Duolingo overall score Literacy subscore Comprehension subscore Conversation subscore Production subscore
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each component 110 110 110 110 110
IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component 120 120 120 120 120
IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each component 130 130 130 130 130
IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in each component 135 135 135 135 135

Duolingo - minimum overall score and subscores for tests taken on or before 30 June 2024

IELTS Duolingo overall score Literacy subscore Comprehension subscore Conversation subscore Production subscore
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each component 110 110 120 100 100
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

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us.


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