English language requirements for undergraduate students
All undergraduate 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 can be evidenced using 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 in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements - in most cases this will be the same language evidence.
We accept a variety of language qualifications for entry and for some programmes we may ask for higher grades in order to cope with the requirements of the course. Search our course list to find out the English language requirement for the course you are interested in.
With the exception of Medicine and Dentistry, you will not be required to further demonstrate your English language level if:
- you have obtained a full bachelor (e.g. BA, BSc) or higher (e.g. MA, MSc) 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 or higher degree that has been taught (in its entirety) in a country on the UKVI list of exceptions (excluding Canada) or
- 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) or
- you are a national of Canada and have obtained a full bachelor or higher degree that has been taught (in its entirety) in Canada and awarded by a Canadian institution or
- you are applying from a University that has a formal partnership agreement in relation to English language requirements (applicants from partner institutions should contact their current place of study for more details on eligibility).
Distance learning and self-taught degrees are not acceptable for English language evidence.
Accepted language tests
Please note, that these tests are currently not accepted for entry into undergraduate Medicine (MBBCh) or Dentistry (BDS): Bellerby's Foundation - Academic English Skills; Kaplan International Foundation Certificate; NCUK EAP; University of Michigan ECPE.
| Test accepted | Equivalency to GCSE grade C/4 | Equivalency to GCSE grade B/6 | Test validity period (from date test taken) |
|---|---|---|---|
Bellerby’s Foundation - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic Foundation programme) | 60% | 70% | One academic year |
Cambridge Assessment English: C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English) / C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) | 176 overall | 185 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 A overall with a minimum of B in each subskill | Two calendar years |
Cardiff University Pathways to a Degree (accepted only when progressing onto the relevant degree programme) | Pass | Pass | One academic year |
Pass in the 20-, 12-, or 8-week course | Pass in the 10-week course | 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 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 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 |
NCUK English for Academic Purposes (EAP) (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic Foundation programme) | Overall EAP grade of B | Overall EAP grade of A | 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 76 overall with a minimum of 62 in all communicative skills | Two calendar years |
Study Group International Foundation Programme - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic Foundation programme delivered by Study Group) | 60% | 70% | One academic year |
TOEFL iBT including Home Edition | At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking | At least 100 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskill | Two calendar years |
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits III: at least a Pass in all components | II: Not accepted III: at least a Merit in all components | Two calendar years | |
University of Michigan Certificate of Proficiency (ECPE) | 750 Pass (P) | Not accepted | Two calendar years |
School-specific requirements
For undergraduate programmes that have an IELTS subskills requirement that differs from the University minimum, the following equivalencies apply.
The English language requirement for the Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) is:
| GCSE/IGCSE | IELTS (Academic) | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Trinity ISE II/III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language | At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in speaking and a minimum of 6.5 in all other subskills | At least 76 overall with a minimum of 76 in speaking and a minimum of 69 in all other communicative skills | At least 100 overall with a minimum of 24 in speaking and 22 in all other subskills | II: Not accepted III: at least a Merit in all components |
The English language requirement for the BSc Adult Nursing, BSc Children’s Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, and BSc Midwifery is:
| GCSE/IGCSE | IELTS (Academic) | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Trinity ISE II/III | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language | At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and 7.0 in all other subskills | At least 76 overall with a minimum of 69 in writing and a minimum of 76 in all other communicative skills | At least 90 overall with a minimum of 22 in writing and 24 in all other subskills | II: Not accepted III: at least a Merit all components | |
The English language requirement for the BSc Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging, BSc Occupational Therapy, BSc Operating Department Practice, BSc Physiotherapy, and BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology is:
| GCSE/IGCSE | IELTS (Academic) | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Trinity ISE II/III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language | At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all subskills | At least 76 overall with a minimum of 69 in all communicative skills | At least 100 overall with a minimum of 22 in all subskills | II: Not accepted III: at least a Pass in all components |
The English language requirements for the Law and Politics programmes are:
| GCSE/IGCSE | IELTS (Academic) | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Trinity ISE II/III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language | At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other subskills | At least 69 overall with a minimum of 69 in writing and a minimum of 62 in all other communicative skills | At least 90 overall with a minimum of 22 in writing and 20 in all other subskills | II: a Distinction in Writing and at least one Distinction and two Merits in other components III: at least a Pass in all components |
The English language requirement for MBBCh Medicine is:
| GCSE/IGCSE | IELTS (Academic) | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Trinity ISE II/III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language | At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in speaking and a minimum of 6.5 in all other subskills | At least 76 overall with a minimum of 76 in speaking and a minimum of 69 in all other communicative skills | At least 100 overall with a minimum of 24 in speaking and 22 in all other subskills | II: Not accepted III: at least a Merit in all components |
The English language requirement for the MPharm Pharmacy programme is:
| GCSE/IGCSE | IELTS (Academic) | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Trinity ISE II/III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language | At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all subskills | At least 76 overall with a minimum of 69 in all communicative skills | At least 100 overall with a minimum of 22 in all subskills | III: at least a Pass in all components |
Other accepted language qualifications
If you are able to 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 GCSE grade C or 4 | Programmes requiring GCSE grade B or 6 (including Healthcare, Law and Politics, and Pharmacy) | Dentistry (BDS) and Medicine (MBBCh) only |
|---|---|---|---|
A or AS level in any subject taught through the medium of English | Grade D | Grade C | Not accepted |
Austria Reifeprüfung/Matura English | 2 (gut) in both written and oral | 2 (gut) in both written and oral | Not accepted |
Belgium Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs / | 80% / 16 out of 20 / | 80% / 16 out of 20 / | Not accepted |
Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) School Certificate English language | Grades 3-6 (credit); | Grades 1 and 2 (distinction); Grades A and B | Not accepted |
Denmark Studentereksamen | Level A | Level A | Not accepted |
European Baccalaureate English as First Language | 6.5 out of 10 (65%) | 7.0 out of 10 (70%) | 8.0 out of 10 (80%) |
European Baccalaureate English as Second Language | 7.5 out of 10 (75%) | 8.0 out of 10 (80%) | 8.0 out of 10 (80%) |
Finland Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/ | Grade 5 (magna cum laude) or above | Grade 5 (magna cum laude) or above | 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 | Not accepted |
GCSE or GCE O Level English Language | Grade C or 4 | Grade B or 6 | Grade B or 6 |
GCSE or GCE O Level English Second Language | Grade B | Grade A | Not accepted |
GCSE or GCE O Level English Literature | Grade C or 4 | Grade B or 6 | Not accepted |
Germany Abitur grade 12 English when taken | Grade 12 (gut) | Grade 12 (gut) | Not accepted |
| Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate (1994-2006) | Grade C | Grade B | Not accepted |
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 B or 6 |
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: | 70% or 140 out of 200 | 70% or 140 out of 200 | Not accepted |
Indian Standard XII Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education English | 140 out of 200 | 140 out of 200 | Not accepted |
International Baccalaureate English A (first language): Literature or English Language and Literature | HL 4 or SL 5 | HL 5 or SL 6 | HL 5 or SL 6 |
International Baccalaureate English B (second language) | HL 4 or SL 5 | HL 5 or SL 6 | HL 5 or SL 6 |
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level English | Grade H3 | Grade H2 | Grade H2 |
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English | Grade O1 | Not accepted | Not accepted |
Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English | Grade C | Grade B | Not accepted |
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) | Not accepted |
Malaysian SPM English (1119/O Level paper only) | Grade C | Grade B | Grade B |
| Malaysian SPM English CEFR | Overall CEFR score B2 (minimum of B2 in each band) | Overall CEFR score B2 (minimum of B2 in each band) | Overall CEFR score C1 (minimum of B2 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 | Grade 7 or above | Grade 7 or above | Not accepted |
Scottish National 5 English | Grade C | Grade B | Grade B |
Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher English | Grade D | Grade C | Grade C |
Singapore Polytechnic Diploma | Pass | Not Accepted | Not accepted |
South African Independent Examinations Board (IEB) English | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Not accepted |
South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) English | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Not accepted |
Sweden Fullständigt Slutbetyg från | Grade C or VG | Grade C or VG | Not accepted |
Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) English | Grade C | Grade B | Not accepted |
Vitnemål fra den videregående skole or Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Norway) English | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Not accepted |
West African Senior Certificate (WAEC or WASSCE) in any subject (excluding local languages) | Grade C6 | Grade B3 | Not accepted |
Uganda Certificate of Education English | Grade C/6 | Grade B/4 | Not accepted |
USA Advanced Placement Test | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | English: Grade 5 |
USA American College Testing (ACT) | Composite score of 27 | Composite score of 29 | Composite score of 28 with 8 in writing |
USA SAT | 1250 across 2 compulsory components | 1300 across 2 compulsory components | 650 in both reading and writing |
USA SAT Subject Tests | 600 in any subject | 650 in any subject | Not accepted |
Zambia School Certificate / General Certificate of Education English | Grade 5-6 (Credit) | Grade 3-4 (Merit) | Not accepted |
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.
