Undergraduate English language requirements 2024/25
If you're a non-native English speaking applicant you must provide evidence of your English language ability.
You need to show enough fluency in written and spoken English to the required level of the course you're applying to.
Exceptions
You do not need to provide evidence of your English language if any of the following conditions apply:
- You're a UK national
- You're a national from a majority English speaking country as specified by the UKVI
- You've completed a degree either in the UK or in a majority English speaking country
- You've completed a degree within two years of your start date which has been taught in English. You will need to provide official confirmation from the institution where you completed your degree that the medium of instruction was in English.
For more information see the Student and Child Student guidance.
Accepted tests and qualifications
The following tests are accepted for entry into degree-level courses:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic)
- Cambridge CEFR
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL IBT (internet based and special home edition) (TOEFL MyBest score is not acceptable for meeting the English language requirement)
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III
- GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) with Grade C or grade 4
- Duolingo
- LanguageCert SELT
- LanguageCert Academic
- KITE
- Skills for English
We must be able to verify your test within two years of completion, but you may have completed the test up to two and a half years prior to the start date of your course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test or multiple different tests.
Check the requirements for your course
Visiting students
If you are a visiting student see your English language requirements by subject.
School leaving certificates
We can also accept the following school leaving certificates as proof of English language ability, if you are taking an English language subject and you meet the minimum grade required.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass English A or obtain 5 in English B at either Standard or Higher Level.
- European Baccalaureate: Obtain 6.5 in English.
Country | Qualification | English grade required |
---|---|---|
Austria | Reifeprüfungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis | 2 |
Belgium | Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs | 16 |
Certificat d'Enseignement | 7 | |
Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts | 70% | |
Brunei | Cambridge O Level | C |
Canada |
High School Graduation Diploma from any state excluding Quebec (where studied in Canada. Where studied outside Canada, IELTS or equivalent will be required) |
75% |
Denmark | Studentereksamen / Hǿjere Forberedelseseksamen | 7 |
Finland | Ylioppilastutkintotodistus / Studentexamenbetyg | 4 (Cum laude approbatur) |
France |
French Baccalauréat |
11 |
Option Internationale du Baccalauréat | ||
Gambia | Gambia West African Secondary School Certificate | C6 (where the school has confirmed that the medium of instruction in the school is English) |
Germany | Abitur | 11 |
Ghana | West African Secondary School Certificate | C6 |
Hong Kong | HKDSE | 4 overall with 4 in each component |
Iceland | Stúdentspróf | 6 |
India | Standard XII (in some cases IELTS or equivalent may be required) | 75% |
Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | C (valid for 7 years before course start date) |
Liberia | West African Secondary School Certificate | C6 |
Luxembourg | Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires | 36 |
Malaysia |
Malayisa SPM English Language |
Minimum B2 overall, with B2 in each of the components |
Advanced English 1119 (Cambridge O Level 1119) |
Grade C |
|
Mauritius | Cambridge O Level | C |
Netherlands | VWO | 6 |
Nigeria |
West African Secondary School Certificate |
C6 |
National Examinations Council - Nigeria (NECO) | ||
Norway | Vitnemål fra den Videregående Opplaering | 4 |
Sierra Leone | West African Secondary School Certificate | C6 |
Singapore | O-Level | C |
South Africa | National Senior Certificate, English Home Language | 5 |
Sweden |
Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola English 7 |
Grade C |
Switzerland |
Certificat de Maturité |
4 |
Certificat de Maturité Cantonal reconnu par la Confédération | ||
Baccalauréat Vaudois | ||
Maturität | ||
Eidgenössisch anerkanntes kantonales Maturitätszeugnis | ||
Attestato di Maturità | ||
Attestato di Maturità Cantonale riconosciuto dalla Confederazione (Federal Secondary School Leaving Certificate) | ||
Tanzania |
Certificate of Secondary Education Examination |
C (valid for 7 years before course start date) |
Uganda |
Uganda Certificate of Education |
Grade 5 (valid for 7 years before course start date) |
If you require a Student visa
If you're applying for an on campus pre-sessional English course and require a Student visa, you must take a test which is approved by UK Visas and Immigration.
Only IELTS for UKVI (Academic), Trinity ISE or PTE Academic UKVI can be accepted for entry to pre-sessional programmes.
For more general information about visas and English language requirements see:
- Student visas (gov.uk).
Contact us
If you have any questions about the application process, our Admissions team will be happy to help.
Undergraduate Admissions
Related links
Contact us
If you have any questions about the application process, our Admissions team will be happy to help.
Undergraduate Admissions