English language requirements for undergraduates
If you want to study at the University of 91̽»¨, you must be able to show that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course.
For UK students, we normally ask for a minimum of a grade 4/C in GCSE English Language. We also accept a range of alternative UK qualifications. For International students, we accept qualifications from several countries, as well as a range of international qualifications and tests. We also accept some degrees taught in English. We will base our decision on the English language qualification you were awarded most recently.
If your qualification is not included in the lists below, or if you need further information, please contact the Admissions Service.
If you need help to improve your English, our English Language Teaching Centre offers a range of pre-sessional courses. Visit their website to find out more.
English language tests
Tests measure English language ability at a single point in time. If you are presenting one of the tests listed in this section, it should have been completed no more than two years before the start date of your 91̽»¨ course.
For most of these tests, different courses require different levels of achievement. The IELTS requirements for individual courses are published in our online prospectus.
We will verify the scores you declare with the test provider.
- English language tests
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Test Intermediate Standard Good Advanced Proficiency International English Language Testing Service (IELTS)*
Overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component Overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component Overall score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component Overall score of 8.0 with a minimum of 7.5 in each component Cambridge C1 Advanced Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in each component Overall score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in each component Overall score of 185 with a minimum of 176 in each component Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 185 in each component Overall score of 200 with a minimum of 191 in each component Cambridge C2 Proficiency Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in each component Overall score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in each component Overall score of 185 with a minimum of 176 in each component Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 185 in each component Overall score of 200 with a minimum of 191 in each component LanguageCert Academic SELT** 65 Overall with 60 in each component 70 Overall with 65 in each component 75 Overall with 70 in each component 80 Overall with 75 in each component 85 Overall with 80 in each component NCUK English Language Test Overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component Overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component Overall score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component Overall score of 8.0 with a minimum of 7.5 in each component NCUK International Foundation Year: English for Academic Purposes module Overall EAP score of C with a minimum of D in each component Overall EAP score of B with a minimum of C in each component Overall EAP score of A with a minimum of B in each component Overall EAP score of A* with a minimum of A in each component Not accepted Occupational English Test (OET)*** 250 or above in each component 300 or above in each component 350 or above in each component 400 or above in each component 450 or above in each component Oxford Test of English Advanced 126 overall with 116 in each component 136 overall with 126 in each component 146 overall with 136 in each component 156 overall with 146 in each component 166 overall with 156 in each component Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic or PTE Academic UKVI)**** Overall score of 56 with a minimum of 51 in each component Overall score of 61 with a minimum of 56 in each component Overall score of 67 with a minimum of 61 in each component Overall score of 72 with a minimum of 67 in each component Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 72 in each component Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT), internet-based test (iBT) Home Edition, or internet-based test (iBT) Paper Edition
Overall score of 80 with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing Overall score of 88 with a minimum of 19 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 19 in Writing Overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 23 in Speaking and 22 in Writing Overall score of 103 with a minimum of 22 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 25 in Speaking and 24 in Writing Overall score of 110 with a minimum of 24 in Listening, 26 in Reading, 27 in Speaking and 26 in Writing Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III Grade of Pass or above in each component Grade of Pass or above in each component Grade of Merit or above in each component Grade of Distinction in each component Grade of Distinction in each component Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) IV Grade of Pass or above in each component Grade of Pass or above in each component Grade of Pass or above in each component Grade of Pass or above in each component Grade of Pass or above in each component * We accept IELTS Academic (paper-based or on computer), IELTS for UKVI Academic (paper-based or on computer), IELTS Online, IELTS Indicator (taken from 1 July 2020) and IELTS One Skill Retake scores. We do not accept IELTS Life Skills or IELTS General Training scores.
** All components should be taken within the same 14-day period
*** The OET is only accepted for entry to courses offered by the Faculty of Health
**** We do not accept PTE Academic Online
We do not accept the TOEFL paper-based test (discontinued April 2021), or MyBest scoresIf the IELTS requirements for your course are not included in this table, you can check what you need to achieve in the Cambridge C1 Advanced, Cambridge C2 Proficiency, Pearson and TOEFL tests on our ELTC webpages. If you are taking a different test, please contact the Admissions Service for advice.
Other English language qualifications
We also accept a wide range of English language qualifications that include a formal programme of study.
The levels of achievement we normally require are detailed below. A few courses do not accept certain qualifications, or ask for higher levels of achievement. Where this is the case, it will be made clear in the course information.
If you were awarded one of these qualifications more than five years before the start date of your 91̽»¨ course, we may ask you to complete a new English language qualification. Please include with your application any evidence you have of ongoing use of English.
If your certificates or transcripts are in a language other than English, we may ask you to supply official, authenticated translations.
We will normally verify the achievements you declare with your school or examination board.
- International qualifications
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Qualification Level International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English A: Language and Literature Grade 4 or above International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English A: Literature Grade 4 or above International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level English B Grade 6 or above International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level English B Grade 5 or above International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme English Language and Literature Grade 4 or above European Baccalaureate (EB) English 7.5 or 75%, or above - UK qualifications
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Qualification Level GCSE English Language Grade 4/C or above A Level or AS Level English Language Grade C or above A Level or AS Level English Language and Literature combined Grade B or above AQA Level 2 Certificate (IGCSE) in English Language Grade 4/C or above CIE IGCSE English as a First Language (Syllabus 0500) Grade 4/C or above, with Grade 2 in Speaking and Listening CIE IGCSE English as a First Language (Syllabus 0522) Grade 4/C or above CIE IGCSE English as a First Language (Syllabus 0627) Grade 4/C or above, with Merit in Speaking and Listening CIE IGCSE English as a First Language (Syllabus 0990) Grade 4/C or above, with Merit in Speaking and Listening CIE IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus 0510) Grade 6/B or above, with Grade 2 in Oral and Aural CIE IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus 0993) Grade 6/B or above, with Grade 2 in Oral and Aural CIE IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus 0511) Grade 6/B or above CIE IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus 0991) Grade 6/B or above Oxford AQA IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus 9280) Grade 6/B or above Pearson Edexcel IGCSE English Language A Grade 4/C or above, including the Spoken Endorsement Pearson Edexcel IGCSE English Language B Grade 4/C or above, including the Spoken Endorsement Pearson Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Grade 6/B or above, including the Spoken Endorsement SQA Intermediate 2 English or National 5 English Grade B or above SQA Higher or Advanced Higher English Grade C or above Scottish Higher, English for Speakers of Other Languages (Syllabus C222) Grade B or above - European qualifications
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Qualification Level Austrian Reifeprüfung/Matura Grade 2 (Gut) or above in Written and Oral components Belgian Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire / Diploma van hoger Secundair Onderwij / Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts Grade 15 out of 20 or 70%, or above Czech Maturitni Zkousce/Maturita Grade 3 or above Danish Bevis for Studentereksamen (STX) Grade 7 or above in Written and Oral components French Baccalauréat l'Option Internationale, English (awarded until 2023) Grade 12 or above Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) (awarded from 2024) Grade 12 or above French Baccalauréat Général, English LV1 or A Grade 14 or above German Abitur, English Grade 12 or above Irish Leaving Certificate, English Grade H4/O4 or above Maltese Matriculation Certificate, English Grade C or above Netherlands VWO, English Grade 7 or above Norwegian Vitnemål for videregående opplæring, English Grade 4 or above Swedish Fullstandigt fran Gymnasieskolan or Hogskoleforberedand, English Grade C or above Swiss Certificat de Maturité / Maturitätszeugnis / Maturitätsausweis / Attestato di Maturità Grade 4.5 or above - Qualifications from the rest of the world
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Qualification Level Cambridge Assessment International Education GCE O Level, English
For example:
- Brunei O Level subject 1120
- Malaysian O Level subject 1119
- Mauritius O Level subject 1125/1126
- Singapore O Level subject 1128
- For other countries, O Level subject 1123
Grade C or above Australian Secondary School Certificate of Education Grade C/Satisfactory Achievement Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE), English Grade C or above Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education, English Grade C or above Cameroon GCE O Level, English Grade C or above Canada High/Secondary School Diploma, English (completed within Canada within the Anglophone system) 50-60% depending on the province/territory. For more information please contact the Admissions Service. HKDSE English Language Grade 4 or above overall, with Grade 4 or above in each component Indian Standard XII, English Language (CBSE or CISCE examination boards) 75% or above Indian Standard XII English Language (Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and Metro State Boards (Delhi, Maharashtra, Kolkata, Karnataka and Chennai)) 80% or above Indian Standard X, English Language (CISCE examination board only) 75% or above Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), English Grade B or above
This qualification is exempt from the usual five-year time limit. Please note that we do not accept Grade B- in the KCSE English.
Malaysia SPM – English Language (Bahasa Inggeris) Grade B or above
The CEFR Level should state B2 or above
Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC), Higher English Grade C or above New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 2 14 or more credits achieved in English Language Nigerian Senior School Certificate awarded by the Nigerian Examinations Council (NECO) Grade C or above Singapore Integrated Programme (IP) Students should go on to complete A Level or IB qualifications (in any subject taught in English)
We require a scanned copy of the IP transcript as evidence of completion
South African National Senior Certificate (SANSC) Grade 4 or above Tanzanian Certificate of Secondary Education / Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (awarded by the National Examinations Council of Tanzania), English Language Grade C or above Ugandan Certificate of Education (UCE) Grade 6 or above United States High School Diploma, Grade 12 English (completed within the United States) Grade C or above WAEC West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE), English Grade C or above
This qualification is exempt from the usual five-year time limit
West Indies Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, English A Grade III (3) or above Zambian General Certificate of Education, English Grade 6/C or above
Pre-sessional English language courses
Successfully completing an appropriate pre-sessional English language course offered by the University's English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC) meets our English language requirements. The pre-sessional course should be completed no more than two years before the start date of the degree course.
Pathway programmes at the University of 91̽»¨ International College
Successfully completing an at the meets our English language requirements. The Foundation Year should be completed no more than two years before the start date of the degree course.
Degrees taught in English
If you have recently been awarded a first degree or postgraduate diploma taught in English in person in a majority native English-speaking country, you will not normally need to provide other evidence of English language ability. You should have been awarded your degree/diploma within five years of the start date of your 91̽»¨ course.
If you have recently been awarded a first degree or postgraduate diploma taught in English in a non-majority native English-speaking country, you will still need to present one of the tests or qualifications listed below. However, if you were awarded your degree/diploma within 12 months of the start date of your 91̽»¨ course, we will exempt you from the time limits listed below. You should also provide an official letter from your university that confirms you were taught in English.
If you are taking a pre-sessional course at another institution, we will normally still ask you to demonstrate your English language proficiency by completing one of the qualifications listed above.
Professional experience
You should still have completed an English language qualification or degree taught in English as listed above, but we may exempt you from our usual time limit requirements if you have at least 12 months of recent employment in a role that involves regular communication in English. This employment should either be ongoing, or have been completed no more than six months before the 91̽»¨ course start date. You should include with your application an official letter from your current/most recent employer that confirms 1) your English language proficiency, in listening, reading, speaking and writing, 2) the dates of your employment and 3) how you use English in your role.
For applicants from Singapore, we also accept the National Service Certificate of Service as evidence of professional experience of using English.
Registration with a professional body
Applicants to courses in the Faculty of Health: You should still have completed an English language qualification or degree taught in English as listed above, but we will exempt you from our usual time limit requirements if you include with your application 1) evidence that you are currently registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), General Dental Council (GDC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), or Medical Council of Ireland (MCI) and 2) a letter from your employer confirming your continued English language proficiency, in listening, reading, speaking and writing.
Tests and qualifications we do not accept
Some of the English language tests and qualifications we do not accept are listed below. We are also not normally able to accept the English language modules studied as part of a degree course.
- Qualifications not accepted
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Anglia Examinations in English
Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE)
Cambridge Key English Test (KET)
Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET)
Duolingo English Test
GCSE equivalency tests
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry: English for Business
Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency
Oxford ELLT
Oxford International Business English Certificate
Oxford Test of English
Pearson ESOL Skills for Life
Pearson Versant
Pitman English Diploma
Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II