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English Language Requirements

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If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide official proof of your English language ability.

Minimum English language requirements for all International and EU students

  • Bachelors degrees: IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each band (or equivalent)
  • Masters degrees: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other band (or equivalent)
  • Postgraduate research degrees: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each band (or equivalent)

Please be aware that some courses, such as Nursing and Social Work, have specific English language requirements (normally IELTS). Where this is the case, it will be shown under the English language requirements on our course pages.

You will not usually need to provide further evidence of English language ability if you studied in a majority English first speaking country and are applying for a Bachelors or Masters degree.

Tests accepted for entry on to our degree courses

English Language Support

If you would like English language support once you have started your course, we offer free one-to-one tutorials to help you make the most of your studies. You can find more information on the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Online Programme NILE site. Even if you have the minimum level of English ability, you may feel you need additional support. We offer a 4-week summer programme if would like to improve your academic and study skills before you start your degree course. You will find more information on the PEP course page.

Even if you have the minimum level of English ability, you may feel you need additional support. We offer a 4-week summer programme if would like to improve your academic and study skills before you start your degree course. You will find more information on the PEP course page.

Pre-sessional Academic English (PEP) language courses

If you do not meet these requirements, we may offer you a place with the condition that you pass the appropriate pre-sessional academic English (PEP) language course. Your offer letter will tell you the length and cost of the programme.

International students who want to apply for a PEP course must present a UKVI approved English language test result, sometimes referred to as a Secured English Language Test (SELT). The UKVI approved English language tests are listed below. We cannot accept any other English language test.

  • IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) – we cannot accept IELTS Academic
    • 4 week: 6.0 (with 5.5 in all bands)
    • 6 week: 5.5 (with 5.0 in all bands)
    • 11 week: 5.0 (with 4.5 in all bands)
    PTE Academic UKVI
    • 4 week: 59 in all skills
    • 6 week: 42 – 49
    • 11 week: 35 – 41
  • Cambridge Assessment English
    • Advanced (CAE) grade C
    IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (Academic) – we cannot accept IELTS Academic
    • 6.0 (with 5.5 in all bands)
    LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B2)
    • 33/50 in each component
    LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (C1)
    • 33/50 in each component
    Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
    • ISE III (pass in all bands)
  • A Level

    Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and above:

    • Grade C or above in English Language or 4 in the GCSE 1–9 grading scale.
    Cambridge Assessment English

    Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and above:

    • Advanced (CAE) grade C
    European Baccalaureate English
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: 6 in English component
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: 6.5 in English component
    GCSE

    Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and above:

    • Grade C or above in English Language or 4 in the GCSE 1–9 grading scale.
    IELTS Academic and IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (Academic)
    • Bachelor degrees: 6.0 overall (no band lower than 5.5)
    • Masters degrees: 6.5 overall (minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other band (or equivalent))
    • Research degrees: 7.0 overall (no band lower than 6.5.)
    iGCSE

    Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and above:

    • English as a First Language: Grade C or 4 in the GCSE 1–9 grading scale.
    • English as a Second Language: Grade C or 4 in the GCSE 1–9 grading scale.

    Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall and above:

    • English as a First Language: Grade B or 6 in the GCSE 1–9 grading scale.
    • English as a Second Language: Grade B or 6 in the GCSE 1–9 grading scale

    We cannot accept English Literature as proof of English language ability.

    International Baccalaureate

    Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and above:

    • English A: Literature: SL Grade 4 or HL Grade 4
    • English A: Language & Literature: SL Grade 5 or HL Grade 4
    • English B: SL Grade 5 or HL Grade 4
    • English Literature and Performance: SL Grade 5
    LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B2)
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: 33/50 in each component
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: not accepted.
    LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (C1)
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: 33/50 in each component
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: 33/50 in each component
    Michigan English Test (MET)
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: Michigan Test in English (MET) at 58 with a minimum of 54 in each element
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: Michigan Test in English (MET) at 61 with a minimum of 58 in each element.
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 7.0 overall: Michigan Test in English (MET) at 67 with a minimum of 61 in each element
    Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) (C2)
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0/6.5/7.0 overall: ECPE at Pass
    Pearson PTE Academic
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: an average of 65 with no score lower than 59 in all skills.
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: an average of 70 with no score lower than 59 in each of listening, reading, and speaking, and 65 in writing.
    TOEFL (iBT)
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: 70 overall (minimum score: Listening – 17, Reading – 18, Writing – 17, Speaking- 20)
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: 88 overall (minimum score: Listening – 17, Reading – 18, Writing – 17, Speaking- 20)
    TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: 70 overall (minimum score: Listening – 17, Reading – 18, Writing – 17, Speaking- 20)
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: 88 overall (minimum score: Listening – 17, Reading – 18, Writing – 17, Speaking- 20)
    Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)

    Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and above:

    • ISE III (pass in all bands)
    High School qualifications

    We may accept the English Language component of your high school qualifications.

    Please visit UON in your Country pages for detailed information, or email the International Office to check if we accept yours.

    Common examples include:

    CBSE and CISCE Standard 12 English
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: at least 60%
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: at least 70%
    SPM 1119
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 overall: minimum grade C
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall: minimum grade B
    WAEC
    • Degrees requiring IELTS 6.0 or above: C6 in English Language
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