English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should be able to show evidence of their English language ability. Typical English as a foreign language requirements of our Departments are listed in the table below. If you have a choice of qualifications, we prefer IELTS for its detailed reporting.

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.

Any applicants intending to complete a TOEFL qualification should enter the University's DI (Designated Institution) Code 3065 when they register for their test.

Departmental requirements

Table key

  • CPE Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
  • CAE Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English
  • Where an IELTS score is marked with a u, the Department asks for at least 6.0 in all units of IELTS.
    Unless otherwise specified University minimum component scores apply.
Department IELTS TOEFL Internet CAE CPE GCSE / IGCSE English Language
Archaeology 6.5 100 A C C
Biology 6.5 u 100 A C C
Chemistry 6.5 100 A C C
Computer Science and Engineering 6.5 u 100 A C C
Economics and Related Studies 6.5 u 100 A C C
Educational Studies 6.5 100 A C C
Electronics 6.0 87 A C C
English and Related Literature 6.5 100 A C C
Environment 6.5 100 A C C
History 6.5 100 A C C
History of Art 6.5 100 A C C
Language and Linguistic Science 6.5 100 A C C
Law 6.5 u 100 A C C
Management School 6.5 u 100 A C C
Mathematics 6.5 u 100 A C C
Medicine (Hull York Medical School) IELTS of 7.5 and not less than 7 in all units
Music 6.5 100 A C C
Nursing and Midwifery IELTS of 7.0
Philosophy 6.5 u 100 A C C
Politics, Economics and Philosophy (PEP) 6.5 u  100 A C C
Physics 6.0 u 87 A C C
Politics 6.5 100 A C C
Psychology 6.5u 100 A C C
Social Policy and Social Work 6.5 100 A C C
Sociology 6.5 100 A C C
Theatre, Film and Television 6.5 100 A C C

Please note that we do not accept GCSE/IGCSE English (Second Language).

Who to contact