English language requirements

We've listed IELTS academic test grade needed for all courses in the table below.

**Please note that the date of your IELTS academic test result must be within two years of your degree course start date.**

We've listed IELTS academic test grade needed for all courses in the table below.

Please note that the date of your IELTS academic test result must be within two years of your degree start date.

Grade equivalent to IELTS 6.0

Pearson Test of English (Academic):

• 54 (with no less than 51 in any element)

• Scores of 180 and above, with 162 or above in Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking

C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE):

• Scores of 169 and above, with 162 or above in Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking

Oxford Test of English (OTE):

• 120 overall with at least 111 in each component

TOEFL iBT (including ‘Special Home Edition'):

• Overall score of 62 with at least 10 Reading, 9 Listening, 17 Speaking, 19 Writing

* LanguageCert SELT B2 or LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator:

• 156 overall (scores for all 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component

* OIETC (Oxford International English Test Centre) English Language Level Test (ELLT)

• B2+ overall with at least B2 in each component

*acceptable for intakes up to and including September 2021

Grade equivalent to IELTS 6.5

Pearson Test of English (Academic):

• 62 (with no less than 51 in any element)

C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE):

• Scores of 180 and above, with 162 or above in Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking

C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE):

• Scores of 176 and above, with 162 or above in Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking
• Scores of 185 and above are equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall

Oxford Test of English (OTE):

• 130 overall with at least 111 in each component

European Baccalaureate (as a first or second language):

• 6

International Baccalaureate (English A or B syllabus or English Literature, Standard or Higher level):

• 4

AS or A-level English Language or English Literature:

• A-E

O-level English:

• C

Trinity College ISE:

• Level 3 and 4

TOEFL iBT (including ‘Special Home Edition'):

• Overall score of 81 with at least 10 Reading, 9 Listening, 17 Speaking, 19 Writing

* LanguageCert SELT B2 or LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator:

• 180 overall (scores for all 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component.  A score of 39 is required where IELTS 6.0 is required in any component

* OIETC (Oxford International English Test Centre) English Language Level Test (ELLT)

• C1 overall with at least B2 in each component. A score of B2+ is required where IELTS 6.0 is required in any component.

*acceptable for intakes up to and including September 2021

The grades given for GCSE and IGCSE are considered equivalent to IELTS 6.5.

GCSE English

• Grade C

We do not accept English Literature.

IGCSE English as a first or second language

We do not accept English Literature.

Requirements for international students requiring a Student visa (Tier 4):

• IGCSE English: Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) English as a First Language (Syllabus 0500): Grade C overall required, with at least grade 1 or 2 in Listening and Speaking when these components are reported separately.
• IGCSE English: Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) English as a First Language (Syllabus 0522): Grade C overall
• IGCSE English: Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) English as a Second Language (Syllabus 0511): Grade B overall
• IGCSE English: Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) English as a Second Language (Syllabus 0510): Grade B overall with at least grade 1 or 2 in Speaking when this component is reported separately.

IGCSE English language qualifications offered by other examination boards may also be acceptable, please contact the International Development Office for details.

Requirements for students who DO NOT require a Student visa (Tier 4):

• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)/AQA IGCSE English Language (First Language) – C
• CIE IGCSE English Language (Second Language) – B
• Edexcel IGCSE English Language A or B syllabus – C
• Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language - B

We consider the following qualifications studied in the UK:

• An English language component of a foundation or a pre-Masters course.
• Pre-sessional English language qualification from a UK university.
• Undergraduate (Bachelors) degree-level study at other UK university.

If you're already studying in the UK and need advice on your English language qualification please email international@ntu.ac.uk.

*If you have this qualification and are not a national of this country, you will need to provide a UK NARIC English Language Assessment document in support of your visa application.

Antigua and Barbuda

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see below)

OR

Academic* qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Austia

Matura or Reifeprufung  -  2 (gut) when both written and oral examinations have been taken

Australia

High School qualifications vary by state, please contact us for advice

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Bahamas

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Barbados

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see below)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Belize

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see below)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Bermuda

Bermuda School Certificate grade D

OR

Bermuda School Diploma grade D

Botswana

Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education Examination -  Grade C

Cameroon

GCE O Level  -  Grade C

Various countries in the Caribbean

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (post-1998)  -  Three (III) at General Proficiency level

Canada

Grade 11 or Grade 12 of Secondary School Diploma (English-medium schools only) -  Grade C

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree from an English-speaking institution

Cyprus

Cyprus/Cypriot Apolytirion 'Απολυτήριο Λυκείου (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate):

16/20 = IELTS 6.0
17/20 = IELTS 6.5

Denmark

STX / HF -  Grade 10

Dominica

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

France

Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB) within the British or American stream – 12/20

Gambia

West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (WASSCE / WAEC)  -  Grade C6 or 6

Germany

Abitur -  10+ (gut) when taken as a ‘leistungskurs' or ‘Kurse mit erhohtem Anforderungsniveau’ (credit/main/intensive course)

Ghana

West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (WASSCE / WAEC)  -  Grade C6 or 6

Grenada

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Guyana

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination [HKCEE] -  Grade C or 4

OR

Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority [HKEAA] – AS Level Use of English  -  Grade E

OR

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) -  4 = IELTS 6.0 or 6.5  ;  5 = IELTS 7.0

Iceland

Studentsprof (from Gymnasium) (Matriculation Certificate) -  Grade 9 (when taken as a compulsory modern language)

India

Higher Secondary Certificate (Standard XII)  -  70/100 (70%) or 160/200 (80%)
*Awarded by CBSE, ISC and select State Boards (please contact us for further info)

OR

A degree from one of the following universities:

• The University of Mumbai (India)
• The University of Delhi (India)
• The University of Calcutta (India)
• The University of Bangalore (India)
• Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly The University of Pune (India))
• The University of Chennai/Madras (India)
• Anna University (India)
• Osmania University (India)
• The University of Goa (India)

Ireland

Leaving Certificate: O4 / C / C3 (Ordinary / Standard Level)  ;  H7 / D / D3 (Higher / Honours Level)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Jamaica

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Kenya

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) -  Grade C

Lesotho

Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE) - Grade C

Liberia

West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (WASSCE / WAEC)  -  Grade C6 or 6

Malaysia

UCLES English 1119 Syllabus -  Grade C

Malawi

Malawi Certificate of School Education (MSCE) -  Grade 6

Malta

Secondary Education Certificate -  Grade 1-3

Mauritius

General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level  -  Grade C

Namibia

Namibian Senior Certificate  -  Standard Level C  ;  Higher Level E

OR

Namibian Senior Secondary School Certificate (Ordinary level) -  Grade C

The Netherlands

Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) diploma -  8 (goed)

New Zealand

National Certificate in Educational Achievement Level 2 -  Achieved (A)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Nigeria

Nigerian Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate   -   Grade C6 or 6

OR

West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Senior School Certificate   -   Grade C6 or 6

Norway

Vitnemål for videregående opplæring or Vitnemål fra den videregåendeskole (Leaving Certificate from Upper Secondary School)   -   Grade 4

Rwanda

Ordinary Level Certificate of Education  -  Grade 1-6/D1-C6

Sierra Leone

West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (WASSCE / WAEC)  -  Grade C6 or 6

Singapore

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-Level -  Grades 1-6

South Africa

NSC (National Senior Certificate) post 2007  -  3 or above in either First Language, First Additional Language or Second Language

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka GCE A-level -  Grade C

St Kitts and Nevis

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

St Lucia

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Sweden

Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskola -  VG (val godkant) or higher in English (A, B or C)

Tanzania

Secondary School Leaving Certificate or the National form IV Examination / Certificate of Secondary Education (CSEE) -  Minimum grade C

Trinidad and Tobago

Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (see above)

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Uganda

Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) -  Grades 1-6

USA

High School Graduation Diploma  -  Grade C (where English has been studied to grade 12)

* Other qualifications may also be considered - please contact us for advice on these.

OR

Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree

Zambia

School Certificate / General Certificate of Education -  Grade 1-6

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Certificate of Secondary Education at Ordinary Level -  Grade C

The following country qualifications are also accepted for those students who do not require a Student visa:

Belgium

Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs - 8/10 or 80% or met grote onderscheiding

OR

Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Superieur - 8/10 or 80% or avec grande distinction

Bulgaria

Diploma za sredno Obrazovani - Grade 5

Croatia

Matura - 5/5 at lower level = IELTS 6.0 ; 4/5 at higher level = IELTS 6.5

Estonia

General Secondary School  (Gümnaasium Lõpueksamid) - Grade 4/5 English = IELTS 6.5

France

Baccalauréat Général/Technologique La langue vivante 1 (The living language 1) - 14 (bien), where the co-efficient applied to the subject is greater than 1

OR

Baccalauréat avec Option Internationale (OIB) - 12/20

Finland

Ylioppilastutkinto / Studentexamenbetyg (matriculation examination) - 5 (magna cum laude approbatur)

Latvia

Atestatas - Grade 8/10 in English = IELTS 6.5 ; 7/10 = IELTS 6.0

Lithuania

National Level Matura (state) English examination - 75% = IELTS 6.0 ; 90% = IELTS 6.5

Luxembourg

Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires - 45 (bien)

Malta

Successful completion of a degree from the University of Malta

Poland

Polish Matura qualification - Świadectwo Dojrzałości (Certificate of Maturity) Extended Level English language exam

- 70% overall in Extended Level English language = IELTS 6.0
- 75% overall Extended Level English language = IELTS 6.5

Portugal

Certificado de fim de Estudios Secundários - 14/20 = IELTS 6.0 ; 16/20 = IELTS 6.5

Slovakia

Maturita - English B2 - Grade 1 (Výborný) = IELTS 6.5 ; Grade 2 (Chválitebný) = IELTS 6.0

Maturita - English C1 - Grade 2 (Chválitebný) = IELTS 6.5

Sweden

Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskola -  VG (val godkant) or higher in English (A, B or C)

Högskoleförberedande Examen (from 2014) – grade C in the English 7 subject

Switzerland

Maturitatzeugnis - 5 (gut)

Certificat de Maturité - 5 (bien)

Attestato de Maturità - 5 (bene)

If your country is not listed here or if you have any questions about your qualification please contact the International Development Office for advice.