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English language requirements

Introduction

If you are from a country that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have not defined as majority English speaking, you will need to provide evidence of your language ability to study at the University.

If you are a national of a majority English speaking country or have completed an undergraduate degree in one of these countries, you may be exempt from submitting an English language test. 

Please refer to the list of countries classified by UKVI as majority English speaking below.

Why we need English language requirements

students

You may be able to receive a conditional offer if you apply without an English test, however you will not be able to enrol until the English language requirement has been met. Applicants requiring a Student Route Visa must have met all the conditions listed in their offer, including the English language requirement, in order to request a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) statement from UWL. 

See below for a list of acceptable English language tests and standard scores by entry point, along with information on qualifications our Admissions team may accept in place of an English test.  

International students on Tower Bridge

Further information on qualifications that may be accepted to demonstrate English language abilities can be found on our country pages.

Minimum scores can vary, please visit our course pages to view the specific English Language requirement for that programme.

A Secure English Language Test (SELT) is required to join one of our Foundation courses.

English language requirements for international students

Please note that we do not accept tests taken at home, including Language Cert online, Duolingo and IBT Home Edition. Your English test must have been taken at a test centre and obtained within two years of the course start date.

  • IELTS

    IELTS tests must be taken at a UKVI Approved Test Centre. Please see the list of Approved Test Centre locations from the IELTS website.

    • Integrated Foundation Year courses – Overall score of 5.5 (minimum of 5.5 in all components)
    • Undergraduate courses – Overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in all components)
    • Enhanced Extended Masters courses – Overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in all components)
    • Extended Masters courses – Overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in all components)
    • Masters courses – Overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in all components)
    • PhD courses – Overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in all components)

    Learn more about IELTS

  • LanguageCert

    • Integrated Foundation Year courses – B2 Level
    • Undergraduate courses – B2 Level
    • Enhanced Extended Masters courses – B2 Level
    • Extended Masters courses – B2 Level
    • Masters courses – B2 Level

    Learn more about LanguageCert

  • Pearson PTE

    • Integrated Foundation Year courses – Overall score of 51+ (51+ in all components)
    • Undergraduate courses – Overall score of 51+ (51+ in all components)
    • Enhanced Extended Masters courses – Overall score of 56+ (51+ in all components)
    • Extended Masters courses – Overall score of 58+ (51+ in all components)
    • Masters courses – Overall score of 58+ (51+ in all components)

    Learn more about Pearson PTE

  • Cambridge B2 First / C1 Advanced

    • Integrated Foundation Year courses – Overall score of 162 (minimum of 162 in all components)
    • Undergraduate courses – Overall score of 169 (minimum of 162 in all components)
    • Enhanced Extended Masters courses - Overall score of 169 (minimum of 162 in all components)
    • Extended Masters courses - Overall score of 176 (minimum of 169 in all components)
    • Masters courses - Overall score of 176 (minimum of 169 in all components)

    Learn more about Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced

  • TOEFL iBT

    • Integrated Foundation Year courses – Overall score of 72+ (Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20)
    • Undergraduate courses – Overall score of 78+ (Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20)
    • Enhanced Extended Masters courses – Overall score of 78+ (Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20)
    • Extended Masters courses – Overall score of 86+ (Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20)
    • Masters courses – Overall score of 86+ (Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20)

    Learn more about TOEFL iBT

Exemptions

A group of students in discussion

Applicants with the following qualifications (if taken within the last 5 years) may be exempted from providing an English language certificate:

  • GCSE/IGCSE English Language as a First or Second Language grade C/4 or above
  • IB English HL grade 4+ or SL grade 5+
  • High School Diploma with English score of 70% or above awarded by an institution located in a majority English speaking country (please see the list below)
  • Undergraduate degree awarded by institution located in a majority English speaking country (please see the list below)
  • Foundation Programme (RQF level 3) awarded by a UK university

Please refer to our country pages for information on other qualifications that may be considered for exemptions

3 students in a lecture room with laptops

We may accept the following English language qualifications from students with EU Settled / Pre-settled status. In addition, we will take into account any of your previous studies in English, for example at IB, foundation or undergraduate level. The levels listed here are an indication only and we will consider your application on its own merit.

Please note these are not applicable if you require a Student Route Visa to study in the UK.

  • Possible exempting qualifications for EU Settled / Pre-settled applicants

    • Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Education – Grade 5 or above in English language
    • Cambridge PET – Pass with distinction
    • Cambridge FCE – Pass at Grade C minimum
    • Cambridge Advanced / Proficiency / Business Higher / Legal / Financial – Pass
    • Danish Bevis (HF/HHX/HTX/STX) – Grade 7 or higher
    • ESOL Skills for Life – Levels 1 & 2​
    • French Baccalaureate – Grade 6 (HL) or Grade 12 (OIB) 12-20
    • German Abitur – Mark 'Gut' at Abitur 11
    • Linguaskill – Overall average of 169 or higher (with no less than 162 in each component)
    • Lithuanian Brandos Atestatas – Grade 8 at B2 level
    • Michigan Language Test – B2 in all components
    • Password Skills – Overall score of 6, with no less than 5.5 in any section
    • Polish Extended Matura – 70%+
    • Portuguese Certificado de fim de Estudos Secundários / Diploma Nível Secundário de Educação – Grade 14 or higher
    • Track Test – B2 Level
    • Trinity Integrated Skills in English – ISE II, ISE III, ISE IV
    • Romanian Baccalaureate – B2 Level in all elements
    • Slovakian Maturia – B2 Level
    • Swedish Upper Secondary School – VG/C or B/6 minimum

Majority English speaking countries

The UK government classifies the following countries as majority native English speakers:

  • Europe

    Ireland

    Malta

    United Kingdom

  • North and Central America

    Antigua and Barbuda

    The Bahamas

    Barbados

    Belize

    Canada*

    Dominica

    Grenada

    Jamaica

    St Kitts and Nevis

    St Lucia

    St Vincent and the Grenadines

    United States of America

    *Applicants presenting Canadian qualifications will need to provide evidence from the institution that the degree was taught and examined in English.

  • Oceania

    Australia

    New Zealand

  • South America

    Guyana

    Trinidad and Tobago

Get in touch

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Our International Office is available for enquiries from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm: 

Ask our International Recruitment Team a question or call us on +44 (0) 20 8231 2440

Prospective students can take a virtual tour or join us in person for a West London Campus tour.