If you are an international student who needs a Student visa (previously Tier 4), you'll be required to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in order to study a postgraduate (master's) degree with us. These requirements apply to all applicants that are not of majority English speaking nationality as defined by the UK Home Office, or those who do not possess a degree awarded, studied and conferred in a majority English speaking country. Applicants of majority English speaking nationality who do not require a SELT to confirm their competency in the English language will still be asked to provide a UK GCSE English language equivalent qualification.
How do I find out what the English language requirements are for my course?
- Visit your course page
- 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
- 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):
IELTS
Including IELTS Indicator/IELTS online/IELTS One Skill Retake OSR (both parts must be recorded and verified separately)
Overall score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
59 in each component – 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 of 72 with component scores: Listening: 17 | Reading: 18 | Writing: 17 | Speaking: 20
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Overall score of 72 with component scores: Listening: 17 | Reading: 18 | Writing: 17 | Speaking: 20
Cambridge English
Grade C or above in Cambridge C1 Advanced, formerly Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge C2 Proficiency, formerly Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) – a certifying statement of results is also required
Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE)
Overall score of 450 with 425 in each component
Oxford ELLT
Overall score of 6 with 5 in each component (we will accept the digital version if you’re from a country listed under the differential evidence requirement)
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):
- Biomedical Science MSc (IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in each component)
- Blood Science MSc and Blood Science (Distance Learning) MSc (IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in each component)
- Cancer Pharmacology MSc
- Conference Interpreting MA and Conference Interpreting PG Dip
- Education MA and other education and teaching courses
- Legal Practice (Top-up)
- Interpreting MA and Interpreting PG Dip
- Legal Practice LLM (all routes)
- Maritime Law (Distance-learning)
- Maritime Law LLM
- Maritime Law PG Cert
- Maritime Law PG Dip
- Media Law (Distance-learning) PG Cert
- Media Law (Distance-learning) PG Dip
- Media Law LLM
- Medical Genomics MSc (IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in each component)
- Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery (IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in each component)
- Psychology MSc and other psychology courses
- Psychology of Mental Health MSc
- Specialised Translation PG Cert
- English Language Teaching MA
- Translation Technology PG Cert
- Translation MA and other translation courses
- Human Nutrition MSc (IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component)
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
- Common Professional Examination (Graduate Diploma in Law)
- Dietetics and Nutrition - MSc
- Social Work MSc
- Sports Therapy MSc
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:
- Pre-registration Physiotherapy MSc, Sports Therapy MSc and Law: Common Professional Exam - GDL: We require a minimum average score of 7.0, with a minimum of 7 in writing and 6.5 in all other components.
- Creative, Digital and Professional Writing MA: We require a minimum average score of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in all components except Writing, where we require a minimum of 7.0.
- Arabic Language Teaching MA: We require a minimum average score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components.