English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate a standard level of academic English or Welsh language to study our courses.
In addition to meeting the academic language standard, applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements - in most cases, this will be the same language evidence.
The university minimum requirement for English language is a grade C/4 at GCSE or IELTS (Academic) with 6.5 overall and a minimum of 5.5 in each of the subskills, but for some undergraduate and postgraduate courses, our admissions tutors may ask for higher grades or scores. We accept a variety of English language tests and academic qualifications for entry and have published a list of acceptable equivalents to GCSE and IELTS.
We have several agreements in place for universities with whom we have formal partnership agreements in relation to English Language requirements. Applicants from partner institutions should contact their current place of study for more details on eligibility.
For European Exchange applicants, please see the European Exchange study pages on what evidence you will need to provide.
Find out more about accepted English language equivalences for undergraduate and postgraduate study:
Choosing the right IELTS test
IELTS for UK Visas Immigration (offered by the IELTS SELT Consortium) is not required for undergraduate or postgraduate courses. We will accept all IELTS (Academic) tests (including the one skill retake) from any IELTS test centre, but do not currently accept the online IELTS test.
For Foundation courses, Pre-sessional English and English for University Study courses, you usually must take an IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration test or a Pearson Academic (UKVI) test.
For English for University Study (EfUS) applicants intending to apply for a Short Term Student Visa, please contact elt@cardiff.ac.uk for advice on other acceptable English language tests.
English language test overall score comparison table
Accepted language test | Equivalency to IELTS 6.5 overall | Equivalency to IELTS 7.0 overall | Equivalency to IELTS 7.5 overall | Test validity period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardiff University English for University Study Exit Test (EFUS) | B+ | A | A+ | Two calendar years |
Cardiff University Pre-sessional programmes | Pass in the 20-, 12-, or 8-week course | Pass in the 10-week course | Not accepted | For immediate progression only |
IELTS Academic (including one skill retake*) | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | Two calendar years |
Pearson Test of English | 69 | 76 | 80 | Two calendar years |
Study Group (UK) Academic English Skills** | 60% | 70% | 80% | One academic year |
TOEFL iBT (including | 90 | 100 | 109 | Two calendar years |
Trinity II/III | II: Accepted | II: Not accepted | II: Not accepted | Two calendar years |
*The one skill retake must be taken within 60 days of the original test. Only one retake is acceptable. The two-year validity period starts on the date that the original test was taken.
**Study Group International Foundation Programme - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic Foundation programme and studied in the UK) / Study Group Pre-Masters Programme - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic PMP and studied at the International Study Centre in Cardiff)
English language test subskill score comparison table
Accepted language test | Equivalency to IELTS 5.5 subskill | Equivalency to IELTS 6.0 subskill | Equivalency to IELTS 6.5 subskill | Equivalency to IELTS 7.0 subskill | Equivalency to IELTS 7.5 subskill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardiff University English for University Study Exit Test (EFUS) | C+ | B | B+ | A | A+ |
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 20-, 12-, or 8-week course | Pass in the 10-week course | Not accepted |
IELTS Academic (including one skill retake*) | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 |
Pearson Test of English | 59 in all communicative skills | 62 in all communicative skills | 69 in all communicative skills | 76 in all communicative skills | 80 in all communicative skills |
Study Group (UK) Academic English Skills** | 40% in each subskill | 50% in each subskill | 60% in each subskill | 70% in each subskill | 80% in each subskill |
TOEFL iBT (including | 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking | 20 in all subskills | 22 in all subskills | 24 in all subskills | 26 in speaking and 24 in all other subskills |
Trinity II/III | II: At least two Distinctions and two Merits | II: Not accepted | II: Not accepted III: Merit in all components | II: Not accepted | II: Not accepted |
*The one skill retake must be taken within 60 days of the original test. Only one retake is acceptable. The two-year validity period starts on the date that the original test was taken.
**Study Group International Foundation Programme - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic Foundation programme and studied in the UK) / Study Group Pre-Masters Programme - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic PMP and studied at the International Study Centre in Cardiff)
Waiting for test results
When applying for most programmes if you do not have your English language test results you can send these in later. Please indicate on your application form when you took or expect to take the English language test and when you expect to receive your test results. You can then send in your test results once you have them. In this case, your offer will be conditional upon us receiving your test results.
Please note that in some cases students may be made offers to attend pre-sessional English courses instead of or in addition to an English Language qualification or test, and some courses will require you to provide your English language results when submitting your application.
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 programmes.
Improve your English before starting your course, or attend a required pre-sessional English course.
