Skip to main content

English language requirements for postgraduate students

All postgraduate applicants must demonstrate a standard level of academic English or Welsh language that will enable them to benefit fully from their course of study. For the majority of applicants, this will be an IELTS (Academic) of 6.5 with a 5.5 in each subskill or a GCSE in English or Welsh language at Grade C/4 or above.

In addition to meeting the academic language standard, applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK must also present an acceptable English language qualification to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements - in most cases, this will be the same language evidence.

We accept a variety of English language qualifications for entry. We have minimum admission requirements but for some courses, our admissions tutors may ask for higher grades or test scores. Search our course list to find out the English language requirement for the course you are interested in.

Except for Vocational Law programmes (excluding GDL) or clinical programmes in the School of Dentistry, you will not be required to further demonstrate your English language level if:

  • you have obtained a full bachelor or higher degree which has been taught through the medium of English and awarded by a UK institution (including degrees jointly awarded by a UK institution and another institution) or
  • you have obtained a full bachelor (e,g, BA, BSc) or higher (e.g. MA, MSc) degree which has been taught (in its entirety) in a country on the UKVI list of exceptions (excluding Canada) or
  • you are a national of Canada and have obtained a full bachelor or higher degree which has been taught (in its entirety) in Canada and awarded by a Canadian institution
  • you are a national of and have the equivalent of a pass in a High School qualification from, a majority English-speaking country on the UKVI list of exceptions, including Canada

Distance learning and self-taught degrees are not acceptable for English language evidence.

Top-up degrees studied in the UK and awarded by a UK institution (or an institution based in another country on the UKVI list of exceptions) will be accepted based on one or two academic years of UK-based study (or study in another country on the UKVI list of exceptions), subject to individual course requirements.

If you're applying to the Vocational Law programmes (excluding GDL) or clinical programmes in the School of Dentistry, you must fulfil the programme-specific English language requirements regardless of whether you're a national of or have a degree from a majority English-speaking country.

Accepted language tests

Test accepted

Equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill

Equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskill

Equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskill

Equivalent to IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.5 in each subskill

Test validity period (from date test taken)

Cambridge Assessment English: C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English) / C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English)

At least 176 overall

At least 180 overall

At least 185 overall

At least 195 overall

Two calendar years

Cardiff University English for University Study Exit Test (EfUS)

At least B+ overall with a minimum of  C+ in each subskill

At least B+ overall with a minimum of  B in each subskill

At least A overall with a minimum of  B in each subskill

At least A+ overall with a minimum of  A+ in each subskill

Two calendar years

Cardiff University Pre-sessional programmes

Pass in the 20-, 12-, or 8-week course

Pass in the 20-, 12-, or 8-week course

Pass in the 10-week course

Not acceptable

For immediate progression only

IELTS (Academic) test from a recognised IELTS test centre (including one skill retake)

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskill

At least 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each subskill

At least 7.5 overall with at least 7.5 in each subskill

Two calendar years

Kaplan International Foundation Certificate (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic Foundation programme)

English language module/overall EAP grade: 65%

 

English language module/overall EAP grade: 70%

 

One academic year

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)

At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills

At least 69 overall with a minimum of 62 in all communicative skills

At least 76 overall with no less than 62 in all communicative skills

At least 80 overall with no less than 80 in all communicative skills

Two calendar years

Study Group Pre-Masters Programme - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic PMP delivered by Study Group and studied at the International Study Centre in Cardiff)

At least 60% overall with a minimum of 40% in each subskill

At least 60% overall with a minimum of 50% in each subskill

At least 70% overall with a minimum of 50% in each subskill

At least 80% overall with a minimum of 80% in each subskill

One academic year

TOEFL iBT including Home Edition

At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking

At least 90 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskill

At least 100 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskill

At least 109 overall with a minimum of 26 in speaking and 24 in all other subskills

Two calendar years

Trinity ISE II/III

II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits

III: at least a Pass in all components

III: at least a Merit in all components

III: at least a Merit in all components

III: at least a Distinction in all components

Two calendar years

University of Michigan Certificate of Proficiency (ECPE)

750 Pass (P)

Not accepted

Not accepted

Not accepted

One academic year

Other accepted language qualifications

If you can submit acceptable evidence that you have completed one of the following academic qualifications and attained the required grade or score, you will not be required to provide additional evidence of English language ability.

Academic qualification

Programmes requiring IELTS 6.5 overall

Programmes requiring IELTS 7.0 overall

Programmes requiring IELTS 7.5 overall

A or AS level taught in English

Grade D

Grade C

Grade B

Austria Reifeprüfung/Matura English

Grade 2 (gut) in both written and oral

Grade 2 (gut) in both written and oral

Not accepted

Belgium Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs /
Certificate d'Enseignement Secondaire
Superieur English

80% / 16 out of 20 /
grote onderscheiding /avec grande distinction

80% / 16 out of 20 /
grote onderscheiding /avec grande distinction

Not accepted

Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) School Certificate English language

Grades 3-6 (credit);
Grade C

Grades 1 and 2 (distinction); Grades A and B

Grade 1  (distinction); Grade A

Denmark Studentereksamen English

Level A
Grade 10

Level A
Grade 10

Not accepted

European Baccalaureate English as First Language

6.5 out of 10 (65%)

7.0 out of 10 (70%)

7.5 out of 10 (75%)

European Baccalaureate English as Second Language

7.5 out of 10 (75%)

8.0 out of 10 (80%)

8.5 out of 10 (85%)

Finland Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/
Studentexamensbetyg English

Grade 5 (magna cum laude)

Grade 5 (magna cum laude)

Not accepted

French Baccalauréat General, or Diplome du Baccalauréat Technologique, where English is the first foreign or modern language (Langue vivante 1/LV1 or Langue vivante A/LVA) at Terminal/National level

Grade 14

Grade 14

Not accepted

French Baccalauréat (Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) or Option International du Baccalauréat (OIB)) Language A English language and literature

Grade 10

Grade 10

Grade 11

GCE O Level English Second Language

Grade C

Grade B

Not accepted

GCSE or GCE O Level English Language

Grade C or 4

Grade B or 6

Grade A or 7

GCSE or GCE O Level English Literature

Grade C or 4

Grade B or 6

Grade A or 7

Germany Abitur English when taken
as an achievement/main/intensive course

Grade 12 (gut)

Grade 12 (gut)

Not accepted

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate (1994-2006)Grade CGrade BGrade A

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) English

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 5**

IGCSE English First Language

Grade C or 4

Grade B or 6

Grade A or 7

IGCSE English Second Language

Grade B or 6

Grade A or 7

Not accepted

Indian Standard XII English

Accepted subjects: Core English, English, English language and literature, English (Special), First or Second language English, General English

Not accepted:
- Functional English
- Standard XII English and Higher Secondary English  (HSC) from Punjab, Gujarat or Haryana states.

70% or

140 out of 200

70% or

140 out of 200

75% or

145 out of 200

Indian Standard XII Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education English

140 out of 200

140 out of 200

145 out of 200

International Baccalaureate English A (first language): Literature or English Language and Literature

HL 4 or SL 5

HL 5 or SL 6

HL 6

International Baccalaureate English B (second language)

HL 4 or SL 5

HL 5 or SL 6

HL 7

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level English

Grade H3

Grade H2

Grade H1

Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English

Grade O1

Not accepted

Not accepted

Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English

Grade C

Grade B

Grade A

University of Kuala Lumpur

Pass at degree level

Not accepted

Not accepted

Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE)

Grade 5-6 (Credit)

Grade 3-4 (Credit)

Grade 1-2 (Distinction)

Malaysian SPM English (1119/O Level paper only)

Grade C

Grade B

Grade A

Malaysian SPM English CEFR

Overall CEFR score B2 (minimum of B2 in each band)

Overall CEFR score C1 (minimum of B2 in each band)

Overall CEFR score C1 (minimum of C1 in each band)

Mauritius School Certificate (GCE)

Grade C

Grade B

Grade B

Mauritius Higher School Certificate

Grade D

Grade C

Not accepted

Netherlands Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs
(VWO) English

Grade 7

Grade 7

Not accepted

Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher English Language

Grade D

Grade D

Grade C

Scottish National 5 English Language

Grade D

Grade C

Grade B

Singapore Polytechnic Diploma

Pass

Not accepted

Not accepted

South African Independent Examinations Board (IEB) English

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) English

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Sweden Fullständigt Slutbetyg från
Gymnasieskolan English

Grade C or VG

Grade C or VG

Not accepted

Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) English

Grade C

Grade B

Grade A

Vitnemål fra den videregående skole or Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Norway) English

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

West African Senior Certificate (WAEC or WASSCE) in any subject (excluding local languages)

Grade C6

Grade B3

Grade B2

Uganda Certificate of Education English

Grade C/6

Grade B/4

Grade A/2

USA Advanced Placement Test

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

USA American College Testing (ACT)

Composite score of 27

Composite score of 29

Composite score of 31

USA SAT

1250 across 2 compulsory components

1300 across 2 compulsory components

1350 across 2 compulsory components

USA SAT Subject Tests

600 in any subject

650 in any subject

700 in any subject

Zambia School Certificate / General Certificate of Education English

Grade 5-6 (Credit)

Grade 3-4 (Merit)

Grade 1-2 (Distinction)

Accepted qualifications from India

The Indian Standard XII English qualification from the following examination boards are accepted:

  • Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education
  • Arunachal Pradesh State Board (Class 12th)
  • Assam Higher Secondary Education Council
  • Bihar School Examination Board
  • Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh
  • Board of Secondary Education, Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal
  • Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan
  • Central Board of Secondary Education
  • Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE)
  • Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, ICSE/ISC
  • Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM)
  • Council of Higher Secondary Education, Odisha
  • Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education
  • Government of Karnataka Department of Pre-University Education
  • Government of Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Examination
  • Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board
  • Haryana Board of School Education
  • Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education
  • Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE)
  • Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC)
  • Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education
  • Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE)
  • Mizoram Board of School Education
  • Nagaland Board of Secondary Education
  • National Institute of Open Schooling
  • Punjab School Education Board
  • Tamilnadu Board of Higher Secondary Education
  • Telangana Board of Intermediate Education
  • Tripura Board of Secondary Education
  • Uttarakhand Board of School Education
  • West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education

If you don’t meet the requirements

We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet our entry requirements.

Find out more about our English Language and Foundation Programmes.