Pay onlineEnglish language support
What do I need?
You need to have a good level of English language as our courses are delivered and assessed in English.
English language requirements
Here are the minimum entry levels required to study your course. For some countries we accept local exams rather than these tests. Please look at your country webpage for the relevant details.
Country-specific information
If you do not have the required English language entry level, you should attend a pre-sessional English language course before you start.
English language support before you start
Our English language requirements are listed below. If you have taken other tests, contact the International Admissions Unit for advice as to whether your test is acceptable.
Note: we can't accept certificates from private language schools as evidence of your English language level.
Important visa information
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has made some changes to the minimum levels of English required for the issuing of a visa. This means that a Secure English Language Test (SELT) must be taken by most students before a visa is issued. The most common Secure English Language Tests are IELTS, TOEFL and PTE.
Full list of Secure English Language Tests
In addition to achieving the overall score, you must obtain a minimum score in each band of the test. This applies now.
For degree level and above, the minimum band score must be:
- IELTS - 5.5 in each band
- TOEFL iBT - listening 17, reading 18, writing 17 and speaking 20
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) - 51 in each band.
For courses below degree level, such as pre-sessional English, foundation programmes and HNDs, the minimum band score must be:
- IELTS - 4.0 in each band
- TOEFL iBT - listening 9, reading 4, writing 13 and speaking 16
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) - 36 in each band.
The table below sets out the University’s current requirements which will be adjusted in due course. However, to obtain a visa you will need to meet the UKBA’s requirements as well.
| IELTS | TOEFL (internet-based test) |
PTE (Academic) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||||
| Law, crime and investigation | 6.5 | 90 | 58 | |
| Business, English, history, sport, psychology, criminology, sociology, youth studies, education, media studies, journalism | 6.0 | 80 | 52 | |
| Health | 6.0-7.0 | 88-100 | 52-66 | |
| Fine art, design, media production, performing arts, engineering, science, computing | 5.5 | 72 | 51 | |
| Undergraduate Year 2 & 3 entry where permitted | ||||
| Fine art, design, performing arts, media production, engineering, science, computing | 6.0 | 80 | 52 | |
| English, history, journalism, media studies | 6.5 | 90 | 58 | |
| Postgraduate (Taught) | ||||
| Postgraduate Diploma in Law | 7.5 | 110 | 74 | |
| Health | 6.5-7.0 | 90-100 | 58-66 | |
| MBA, education, English, LLM Master of Laws, LLM (Criminal Law), LLM (International Law), LLM (Medical Law) and LLM (Business Law), media studies, journalism, mass communications, history, psychology, criminology, sociology, youth studies, criminal investigation | 6.5 | 90 | 58 | |
| Art & design, business (except MBA), computing, sport, engineering, science, TV production | 6.0 | 80 | 52 | |
| Research degrees | 6.5 | 90 | 58 | |
