English language courses
All students applying for courses at The University of Northampton must meet the minimum English language requirements mentioned below.
If you do not meet these requirements, we offer Pre-sessional Academic English language courses to help you attain the necessary levels and prepare you for study at The University of Northampton.
English language requirements
International students should provide a recent recognised English language qualification. All qualifications must indicate your level of competence in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The University of Northampton accepts all UKBA approved tests; for further details please view the Approved English Language Tests list.
Acceptable standards are:
- For study at undergraduate level: minimum standard - IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent)
- For study at postgraduate level: the minimum standard - IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent)
For an overview of the most popular English language tests and equivalences, please refer to the Comparison of English Test Scores table.
English language courses available
Pre-sessional Academic English
The Pre-sessional Academic English programme is available throughout the year with start dates in July, October, January and April. Students can study for as many terms as they need to gain the necessary IELTS level for their chosen course. It is suitable for students wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The minimum language requirement to join this programme is IELTS 4.0 or equivalent.
International Foundation Programme
The International Foundation Programme is a full-time one year course for international students who wish to study at undergraduate level. On this course students develop their English language skills and prepare for university study in their chosen area. The minimum language requirement to join this programme is IELTS 5.0.
For more information about English language courses, please contact the International Office.