English language requirements

2012/13

For graduates starting 2012/13

From the 21st April 2011 the UK Border Agency (UKBA) introduced changes to the Tier 4 general student visa route. Further Tier 4 policy guidance is available on the UKBA website.

One of the changes has impacted on English Language requirements, with the UKBA now requiring applicants intending to study at degree level and above to have achieved level B2 in each of the four language components.

With immediate effect the University minimum English Language requirements have been amended to reflect this change, and are detailed below.

It is important to note that English Language requirements for Tier 4 general student visa purposes may be different from those required at programme level.  Unless otherwise specified, University minimum component scores are no less than indicated below.

The University's minimum English language requirements are:

  • IELTS: 6.0 (in the 'Academic' test)
    • Listening – 5.5
    • Reading – 5.5
    • Speaking – 5.5
    • Writing – 5.5

  • TOEFL: 87 (internet-based - iBT)
    • Listening – 21
    • Reading – 22
    • Speaking – 23
    • Writing – 21

  • Pearson: 59 (PTE Academic)
    • Listening – 59
    • Reading – 59
    • Speaking – 59
    • Writing – 59

  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): C
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A
  • GSCE/IGCSE in English Language: C

However, most departments have a minimum requirement of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent and some require 7.0. Unless otherwise specified, University minimum component scores are no less than indicated above.

We seek formal confirmation of all test results. For this purpose, if you are intending to take a TOEFL test please enter our Designated Institution code 3065 on your test form.

Only English language tests taken in the last two years are valid for entrance purposes.

Pre-sessional English language programmes
Applicants may already have an IELTS result of 6.0 but require 6.5 overall, or have met the overall language requirement but not one of the skill components (where these are specified, e.g. Writing 6.0 or 6.5). In this situation, applicants can take a pre-sessional programme with the Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT). These programmes provide a route into a Master's course without the need for an IELTS/TOEFL exam retake. If the pre-sessional course is not shown amongst the requirements of the Department you are applying to, please contact the Department to check whether this would be an acceptable alternative to the language tests listed.

Pre-Masters programme (Graduate Diploma in Academic Communication)
Applicants for Masters programmes in the Management School, Politics, Physics, Social Practice and Social Work or Women’s studies, with an IELTS result of 5.5, can take the University’s Pre-Masters programme. This programme provides spoken and written skills development in specific subject areas, as well as preparation for Postgraduate level study in a UK environment.

Departmental requirements

Table key

  • CPE Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
  • CAE Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English
Department  IELTS  TOEFL (iBT)  Pearson (PTE)  CAE  CPE  GCSE/IGCSE** 
Archaeology  6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing and Speaking  96, with a minimum of 23 in Writing and Speaking  67  -  C  C
Biology   6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component  96, with a minimum of 23 in each component  67  A  C  C

Centre for English Language Teaching

  • Graduate Diploma in Academic Communication
 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component

72, with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

 51 C C C
Chemistry
(All taught programmes)
 6.5  96  67  A C   C
Chemistry 
(All research programmes) 		  6.0  87  59  A C  C
Communication Studies   6.5  96  67  -  C  C
Computer Science
(All taught programmes) 		 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component   96, with a minimum of 23 in each component 67  -  C  C
Computer Science
(All research programmes)  		 6.0  87  59  -  C  C
Economics  6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component  96, with a minimum of 23 in each component
  67  -  C C
Education
  • MA TESOL
  • MA Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching
  • MA Applied Linguistics for English Language Teaching  
7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component 105, with a minimum of 23 in each component 75 - B B
Education
All other programmes		 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component 96, with a minimum of 23 in each component 67 -  C  C
Electronics  6.0 87 59  A C  C 
English (and Eighteenth Century Studies)* 7.0 105 75  -  B B
Environment
  • MSc/Diploma in Marine Environmental Management
  • MSc/Diploma in Environmental Science and Management
6.5 96  67  A  C  C 
Environment
All other programmes 		 6.0 87  59  A  C C 
Health Sciences 7.0  105 75  - B  B
History 7.0 105 75  A B  B 
History of Art  7.0 105 75   - B B
Hull York Medical School 7.0  105 75 -  B  B 
Language and Linguistic Science 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in Writing and Speaking  105, with a minimum of 26 in Writing and Speaking  75  - B  B 
Law
  • LLM in International Human Rights and Practice
6.5 96 67  A  C C
Law
  • LLM in International Corporate and Commercial Law
6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in all other components 96, with a minimum of 24 in Writing and a minimum of 23 in all other components
 67    C C 
Law
All other programmes		 7.0 105  75 - B  B 
Management
  • MA in Human Resource Management
 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other components  105 with a minimum of 24 in Writing and a minimum of 23 in all other components  75 -  B  B
Management
All other programmes		 6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other components  96, with a minimum of 24 in Writing and a minimum of 23 in all other components  67  -  C  C
Mathematics
  • MSc in Mathematical Finance (including online mode)
  • Conversion Year for the MSc in Mathematical Finance
  • MSc in Financial Engineering
  • MSc in Statistics and Computational Finance
 6.5 96  67  A  C  C
Mathematics
All other programmes		 6.0 87 59 A C C
Medieval Studies 7.0 105 75 - B B
Music 6.5 96 67 A C C
Philosophy  7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in Writing
 105, with a minimum of 26 in Writing  75 -  B B 
Physics  6.0  87  59 A C  C 
Politics  6.5  96 67  -  C C 
PEP (School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy) 6.5 96 67  -  C C
Psychology
  • MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • MRes in Psychology 
6.5 96 67 - C C
Psychology
  • MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology
  • MSc in Forensic Psychology Studies
7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in each component  105, with a minimum of 26 in each component   75   - B  B 
Psychology
All other programmes 		 7.0 105  75  -  B  B
Renaissance and Early Modern Studies  7.0 105  75  - B  B 
 Social Policy and Social Work
  • MA in Social Work
  • MA in Comparative and International Social Policy
  • MA in Social Policy
  • MRes in Social Policy
  • MRes in Social Work 
 6.5 96  67  A  C  C 
Social Policy and Social Work
All other programmes 
 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component  96, with a minimum of 23 in each component  67 A  C C 
Sociology  7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing  105, with a minimum of 23 in Writing  75 -  B  B 
Theatre, Film and Television
  • MA in Contemporary Cinema and Television
  • MA in Theatre: Writing, Directing, and Performance
 7.0 105 75 - B B
Theatre, Film and Television
All other programmes

6.5 96 67 - C C
Women's Studies 6.5 96 67 - C C

*Pre-sessional courses in English Language skills, to be taken before the commencement of the degree courses, may be recommended or required.

** Exact GCSE and IGCSE requirements for each department are subject to review and may change.

2011/12

For graduates starting 2011/12

Minimum requirements

The University's minimum English language requirements are:

• IELTS: 6.0 (in the 'Academic' test)
     o Listening – 5.5
     o Speaking – 5.5
     o Reading – 5.5
     o Writing – 5.5

• TOEFL: internet-based (iBT) 87
     o Listening – 21
     o Speaking – 23
     o Reading – 22
     o Writing – 21

• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): C

• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A

• GSCE/IGCSE in English Language: C

However, most departments have a minimum requirement of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent and some require 7.0.  Unless otherwise specified, University minimum component scores are no less than indicated above.

We seek formal confirmation of all test results. For this purpose, if you are intending to take a TOEFL test please enter our Designated Institution code 3065 on your test form.

Only English language tests taken in the last two years are valid for entrance purposes.

Pre-sessional English language programmes

Applicants may already have an IELTS result of 6.0 but require 6.5 overall, or have met the overall language requirement but not one of the skill components (where these are specified, e.g., writing 6.0 or 6.5). In this situation, applicants can take a pre-sessional programme with the Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT) . These programmes provide a route into a Master's course without the need for an IELTS/TOEFL exam retake. If the pre-sessional course is not shown amongst the requirements of the Department you are applying to, please contact the Department to check whether this would be an acceptable alternative to the language tests listed.

We seek formal confirmation of all test results. For this purpose, if you are intending to take a TOEFL test please enter our Designated Institution code 3065 on your test form.

Departmental requirements

Table key

  • CPE Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
  • CAE Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English
Department IELTS TOEFL Internet CAE CPE GCSE / IGCSE**
Archaeology 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing and Speaking 100 - C C
Biology 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component 100 A C C
Chemistry 6.0 87 A C C
Communication Studies 6.5 87 - C C
Computer Science
  • All taught programmes
 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component 91 - C C
Computer Science
  • All research programmes
 6.0 87 - C C
Economics 6.5 100 - C C
Education 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component 92, with a minimum of 24 for Writing, 24 for Speaking, 22 for Listening and 22 for Reading - C C
Electronics 6.0 87 A C C
English (and Eighteenth Century Studies)* 7.0 105 - B B
Environment
  • MSc/Diploma in Marine Environmental Management
  • MSc/Diploma in Environmental Science and Management
 6.5 92 A C C
Environment
  • All other programmes
 6.0 87 A C C
Health Sciences 7.0 105 - B B
History 7.0 105 - B B
History of Art 7.0 105 - B B
Hull York Medical School 7.0 105 - B B
Language and Linguistic Science 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in Writing and Speaking 100 - B B
Law
  • LLM in International Human Rights and Practice
 6.5 92 A C C
Law
  • All other programmes
 7.0 92 - B B
Management 6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other components 92 - C C
Mathematics
  • MSc in Mathematical Finance (including online mode)
  • Conversion Year for the MSc in Mathematical Finance
  • MSc in Financial Engineering
 6.5 92 - C C
Mathematics
  • All other programmes
 6.0 87 A C C
Medieval Studies 7.0 105 - B B
Music 6.5 100
 A C C
Philosophy 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in Writing 105 - B B
Physics 6.0 87 A C C
Politics 6.5 92 - C C
PEP (School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy) 6.5 92 - C C
Psychology
  • MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • MRes in Psychology
 6.5 92 - C C
Psychology
  • All other programmes
 7.0 105 - B B
Renaissance and Early Modern Studies 7.0 105 - B B
Social Policy and Social Work
  • MA in Social Work
 6.5 100 A C C
Social Policy and Social Work
  • All other programmes
 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component 100 A C C
Sociology 7.0 105 - B B
Theatre, Film and Television
  • MA in Contemporary Cinema and Television
  • MA in Theatre: Writing, Directing, and Performance
 7.0 105 - B B
Theatre, Film, and Television
  • All other programmes
 6.5 92 - C C
Women's Studies 6.5 92 - C C

* Pre-sessional courses in English Language skills, to be taken before the commencement of the degree courses, may be recommended or required.

** Exact GCSE and IGCSE requirements for each department are subject to review and may change.