English language requirements for master's and other postgraduate degrees

If you're looking to study a postgraduate degree with us and you are of majority English speaking nationality or if you have completed a qualification that's equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree, as conferred by the UK's National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC), in a majority English speaking country (including the UK and Ireland), you will not be asked to provide an English language qualification – however, confirmation may be requested that teaching during the degree was undertaken in English. 

If you aren't of majority English speaking nationality, as deemed by the UK Home Office, you will be required to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in order to study a postgraduate (eg master's) degree with us.

How do I find out what the English language requirements are for my course?

  1. Visit your course page
  2. Find the English language requirements section in the entry requirements – this will tell you whether you need to meet the standard or higher requirements, or whether your course is an exception with specialised requirements
  3. Select the relevant tab below to see the English language requirements for your chosen course

Our Pre-sessional Academic English course

Our Pre-sessional Academic English course can help prepare you for entry on to one of our postgraduate degree courses. It's ideal if your level of English is just below the requirements for your chosen degree or you want to feel a bit more confident before starting your studies.

English language requirements by type

For the majority of our postgraduate degrees the following Secure English Language Test (SELT) minimum scores are required (please note the exceptions below):

Academic IELTS

Overall score required: 6.0 – Component scores required:

Listening: 5.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 5.5
Speaking: 5.5

IELTS Indicator

Overall score required: 6.0 – Component scores required:

Listening: 5.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 5.5
Speaking: 5.5

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Component scores required:

Listening: 59
Reading: 59
Writing: 59
Speaking: 59

Please note we no longer accept the online version of Pearson Test of English (PTE), this has to be completed in person to be considered. 

Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT)

Overall score required: 72 – Component scores required:

Listening: 17
Reading: 18
Writing: 17
Speaking: 20

TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Overall score required: 72 – Component scores required:

Listening: 17
Reading: 18
Writing: 17
Speaking: 20

Cambridge English

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced, formerly Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) – grade C and above
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency, formerly Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) – grade C and above
  • A certifying statement of results is also required

LanguageCert

LanguageCert International ESOL Exam B2 LRWS – component scores required:

Listening: 33
Reading: 33
Writing: 33
Speaking: 33

Some of our postgraduate degrees require you to have higher English language test scores. This applies to the following degrees (please see further exceptions below for Creative, Digital and Professional Writing MA, Sports Therapy MSc and the Common Professional Exam):

For these degrees you'll be required to have the following scores:

Academic IELTS

Overall score required: 6.5 – Component scores required:

Listening: 6.0
Reading: 6.0
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 6.0

IELTS Indicator

Overall score required: 6.5 – Component scores required:

Listening: 6.0
Reading: 6.0
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 6.0

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Component scores required:

Listening: 70
Reading: 70
Writing: 70
Speaking: 70

TOEFL iBT

Component scores required:

Listening: 21
Reading: 22
Writing: 21
Speaking: 23

TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Component scores required:

Listening: 21
Reading: 22
Writing: 21
Speaking: 23

LanguageCert

LanguageCert International ESOL Exam B2 LRWS – component scores required:

Listening: 38
Reading: 38
Writing: 38
Speaking: 38

For these degrees you'll be required to have the following scores:

Academic IELTS

Overall score required: 7 – Component scores required:

Listening: 6.5
Reading: 6.5
Writing: 6.5
Speaking: 6.5

IELTS Indicator

Overall score required: 7 – Component scores required:

Listening: 6.5
Reading: 6.5
Writing: 6.5
Speaking: 6.5

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Component scores required:

Listening: 70
Reading: 70
Writing: 70
Speaking: 70

TOEFL iBT

Component scores required:

Listening: 22
Reading: 24
Writing: 24
Speaking: 25

TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Component scores required:

Listening: 22
Reading: 24
Writing: 24
Speaking: 25

Cambridge English

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced, formerly Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) – grade C and above
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency, formerly Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) – grade C and above
  • A certifying statement of results is also required

LanguageCert

LanguageCert International ESOL Exam C1 LRWS – component scores required:

Listening: 25
Reading: 25
Writing: 25
Speaking: 25

 

Please note, some of our courses require even higher English language requirements: