English Language Entry Requirements

All International Students seeking entry to the University are required to demonstrate their English Language proficiency in line with the University’s admissions requirements and English Language policy.

In addition, the University is required to formally assess the English Language ability of any student it wishes to sponsor under the Student Visa route. Any applicant requiring sponsorship will be required to meet both the UKVI and the University’s own English language entry requirements.

Each course offered by the University will set out the required English Language level required to gain admission to the course. This is generally higher than that required by UKVI for Immigration purposes.

Please note that the University reserves the right to request any applicant undertakes an English Language assessment with one of its own English Language assessors regardless of the evidence provided of English Language proficiency. The University reserves the right on the basis of this assessment not to grant entry where it has reasons to doubt the applicant is at the appropriate overall English language proficiency.

Read our English Language Requirements Policy

The English language entry requirements are as follows:

International Foundation Programme, Cert HE and HND courses

An overall English language level equivalent to an IELTS score of 5.0 with no lower than 4.5 in reading, speaking, listening and a minimum score of 5.0 in writing.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Programmes (including DBA and Professional Doctorate programmes)

An overall English Language level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no lower than 5.5 in reading writing, listening and speaking.

Postgraduate Research Programmes

An overall English Language level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no lower than 6.5 in reading and writing, and with no lower than 5.5 in listening or speaking.

Acceptable Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Majority English-speaking Countries

Applicants may automatically satisfy the English language entry requirements of the University for academic study for all courses if they are considered to be native English speakers through citizenship of the following majority English speaking countries:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Malta
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
United States of America

Acceptable Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Additional Evidence

In addition to the above, applicants may also provide the following evidence to meet the relevant English Language requirements for their course

International Foundation Programme, Cert HE and HND courses

A UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test.

Acceptable Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Courses

If an applicant has:

Successfully completed a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, at a recognised institution based in one of the above majority English speaking countries (certificates, transcripts and/or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
Successfully completed within the last two years a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification at a recognised institution that has been certified as being taught in the medium of English (certificates, transcripts and / or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
A UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University.
One of the following English Language Test documents awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University:

Name of Qualification	Score Required
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI	Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced.	Minimum score of 169 overall with at least 162 in each component part.
Cambridge English: B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) – for Business courses only.	Minimum score of 169 overall with at least 162 in each component part.
Cambridge English: C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher) – for Business courses only	Minimum score of 169 overall with at least 162 in each component part.
Language Cert International ESOL SELT B2 or C1. Must be taken at a UKVI recognised test centre	Minimum score all four component 33/50 required.
TOEFL iBT taken at an authorised test centre only	Reading minimum 18, Listening minimum 17, Writing minimum 17, Speaking Minimum 20, TOEFL MyBest scores not accepted.
Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency	A pass is acceptable at all levels of entry.
Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) taken at UKVI test centre.	Minimum Score of 59 required in all four components.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David: Wales Academic Language Test	Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II or III undertaken within the UK at a UKVI approved test centre	Pass
International Baccalaureate	Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 5 Language A or Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 5 Language B
Cambridge IGCSE	Minimum Grade C (grade 4) in IGCSE in English as a Second Language satisfy the English language proficiency requirements for undergraduate study

Acceptable Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Country-specific Qualifications

If an applicant has:

One of the following country specific qualifications awarded within two years of applying to the University:

Name of Qualification	Score Required
SQA HND Business	Pass plus successful pass of Interview with UWTSD English Language Assessor
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)	Level 4 in English Language (with a minimum of level 3 in each skill) plus successful pass of interview with UWTSD English Language Assessor.
Indian Standard XII, English Language with the exception of Punjab and Haryana boards	70% or above in English Language component
Malaysian 1119 syllabus (UCLES)	For courses with an IELTS equivalent requirement of 6.0 overall or lower: Grade C or above For courses with an IELTS requirement of 6.5 overall: Grade B or above
Ugandan Certificate of Education (UCE)	Grade 6 or above
Nigerian and Ghana WAEC	Grade C6 English or above
Norway Vitnemal	Grade 4 in English

Acceptable Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Postgraduate Research Courses

Postgraduate Research courses

If an applicant has:

Successfully completed within the last two years a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, at a recognised institution based in one of the above majority English speaking countries (certificates, transcripts and/or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
A UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test awarded within 2 years of applying to the University.
One of the following English Language Test documents awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University:

Name of Qualification	Score Required
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI	Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no lower than 6.5 in Reading and Writing, and no lower than 5.5 in Listening or Speaking.
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced	Minimum score of 176 above with no lower than 162 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency	Minimum score of 176 above with no lower than 162 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) taken at a UKVI test centre	Minimum score of 62 required in all four components.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David: Wales Academic Language Test	Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no lower than 6.5 in Reading and Writing and no lower than 5.5 in Listening and Speaking.
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) ll	Distinction in each component
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) lll	Pass or above overall, with Passes or above in each component