English language
entry requirements
How to Apply
Minimum English language standards
It’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS.
All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of:
- Native speakers of English
- Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
- non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
English language requirements for academic entry
If you do not fall into any of the categories above you will need to provide proof of your English language ability through the International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
IELTS
- Undergraduate (BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc) – IELTS 6.0 with no skill below 5.5
- Postgraduate Taught (MA, MSc) – IELTS 6.0 with no skill below 5.5
- Postgraduate Research (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf)– IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0
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These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission. Individual course entry requirements are detailed on each course page.
IELTS certificates should be dated within two years at the time of applying to study at UWS.
Common English language equivalents 
for most courses
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
| Test | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) IELTS Indicator |
UG & PGD: Overall score of 6.0, with no less than 5.5 for each component PGR: Overall score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 for each component for PGR. |
| Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) | Grade C |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | Grade C |
| Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL Int’l | Overall score 170 with no element below 163 |
| Cambridge AS and A Levels | Grade C or above. |
| Trinity College London | ISEII Reading: Pass; Listening: Pass |
| ibTOEFL | ibTOEFL*: 78; no sub-test less than 17: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 PhD: 93; no sub-test less than 19: Reading 21; Listening 19; Speaking 20; Writing 21 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic): PTE | Overall score of 54 with no element less than 51 |
| Password English Language test | Grades equivalent to CEFR B2 for entry at L9 entry and above. Password scores of 6.0 or higher. |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | UG entry: B2 Communicator pass. HLS applicants would require C1 expert pass to satisfy NMC requirements/accreditation. PG entry: B2 Communicator pass/Communicator High Pass (postgraduate applicants at 6.0) |
| Occupational English Language Test for Healthcare Professionals (OET) | The NMC accepts this test for Tier 2 applicants but not for Tier 4 however the university would consider applicants for entry to L9 and beyond by making our own assessment. |
| Duolingo | For 2020 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. |
| Oxford International English Language Level Test (ELLT) | Overall 5, minimum 4 in all skills. Must be at a minimum of B2 and equivalent to IELTs of 6. Overall 6, minimum 4 in all skills. Must be at a minimum of B2 and equivalent to IELTs of 6.5. Overall 7, minimum 5 in all skills. Must be at a minimum of B2 and equivalent to IELTS of 7. |
International Secondary School Qualifications
UWS have also reviewed Secondary School qualifications studied by Non-EU applicants and so the Admissions team will consider applications with qualifications from the list below:
| Qualification – IELTS equivalencies | Minimum alternative English language qualification for IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each sub skill. |
|---|---|
| A or AS Level English | Grade C or above |
| HNC & HND | Successful completion |
| GCSE English | Grade C or above |
| Cambridge O Levels | Grade C or above |
| IGCSE English as a First Language | Grade C or above with a minimum level of B2 in each component |
| IGCSE English as a Second Language | Grade C or above with a minimum level of B2 in each component |
| Cambridge AS and A Levels | Grade C or above |
| SQA National 5 in English | Grade B or above |
| SQA Higher English | Grade C or above |
| SQA Higher ESOL | Grade C or above |
| Occupational English Language Test for healthcare professionals (OET) For L9 or above only. | Pass |
| Botswana: GCSE / O Level English Language | Grade C |
| Cameroon: GCE / O Level English Language | Grade C |
| Ghana: WASSCE English or WAEC (West African Education Certificate) | Grade C6 or higher |
| HKEAA Use of English | Grade C or above |
| Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination in English Syllabus B (HKCEE) | Grade 3 in all test elements |
| India: XII Examination The XII certificate should not be older than 8 years at the time of making the application. |
70% or higher in English in the Indian HSC Intermediate (10+2) (XII Standard) exam, in lieu of IELTS*. The XII certificate should not be older than 8 years at the time of making the application. However, please note that students will require an IELTS or equivalent, if applying from the following School Education Boards: Punjab Board, Haryana Board, Uttar Pradesh (UP) Board or Jammu & Kashmir (J & K) Board. North India (Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh) Requirement: IELTS or equivalent |
| International Baccalaureate English | Higher Level Grade 4 or above |
| Kenya: KCSE English Language | Grade C |
| Malaysia: SPM 1119 | Grade C |
| Nigeria, The Gambia and Liberia – WAEC (West African Education Certificate) in English Language | C / 6 |
| Nigeria: National Examinations Council (NECO) in English Language | C / 6 |
| Ontario Secondary School Certificate | English Grade C (70%) or above |
| Singapore A Level English Language/Literature | Grade D |
| South African National Senior Certificate | Grade 5 (60%) or above in English |
| Sri Lanka GCE Ordinary Level | Grade A-C |
| Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) | 3-6 Grade C in General paper |
| USA High School Graduation Diploma | 3.0 GPA in English |
| West African Senior School Certificate including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard* | C6 or above in English |
IELTS Score Exceptions (DBA, Certificate of Higher Education, PhD, etc.)
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 6.5
- no sub-test less than 6.0
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- no sub-test less than 7.0
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 5.0
- no sub-test less than 4.5
English language requirements for a UK VISA
If you live outside the EU/EEA, you will need to obtain a visa in order to live and study in the UK. If English is not your first language you will need to meet minimum standards of English set out by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) as part of the visa application process.
Full details of the English language test requirements set by UKVI are available on the UK Government website.Â
Pre-sessional English language courses
We understand that you might need to improve your English language skills to meet visa or application requirements. Our Pre-sessional English Language courses help you meet the IELTS standard for study at UWS.
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