English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, studying in the UK can be very challenging. That's why we make sure you have the language skills you need to succeed right from the start. On this page we’ve listed our English language entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. You’ll also find details of our online pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) courses.

IELTS
We accept a range of English language qualifications, including IELTS.
You’ll need to achieve the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS.
Please note there are different types of IELTS test available, and it is important that you take the correct one.
IELTS requirements for students who need a Student visa
We've listed IELTS academic test grade needed for all courses in the table below.
NTU School (or course) | Undergraduate (Bachelors) IELTS academic test grade | Postgraduate (Masters) IELTS academic test grade |
---|---|---|
School of Art & Design School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences | 6.0 with minimum of 5.5 in each component This requirement is for Year One entry only. If you're starting in Year Two or final year you'll need a higher grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component | 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component |
School of Science and Technology | 6.0 with minimum of 5.5 in each component This requirement is for Year One entry only. If you're starting in Year Two or final year you'll need a higher grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. | 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component |
Nottingham Business School | 6.5 with minimum of 5.5 in each component | For 1-year Masters you'll need a 6.5 grade overall with minimum of 5.5 in each component. For 2-year Masters you'll need a 6.5 grade overall with a minimum of 6.0 in speaking and listening, and 5.5 in reading and writing. |
School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment School of Arts and Humanities (see below for Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism) Nottingham Institute of Education Nottingham Law School (see below for BTC) School of Social Sciences (see below for BA (Hons) and MA Social Work, and BSc (Hons) Nursing). School of Art & Design
BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Branding | 6.5 with minimum of 5.5 in each component | 6.5 with minimum of 5.5 in each component |
Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism | 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing, and 5.5 in speaking and listening | |
Barristers Training Courses For the BTC we accept the IELTS, Pearson Test of English (Academic), TOEFL iBT and KITE tests. We do not accept any other alternative English language test. | IELTS: 7.5 with a minimum of 7.5 in each component Pearson: 73 overall with 73 in each component. TOEFL iBT: 107 overall with at least 27 in Reading, 27 in Listening, 24 in Speaking and 29 in Writing KITE: 527 in Listening, Reading Writing and Speaking | |
BA (Hons) and MA Social Work | 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component | |
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) and BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) | IELTS: 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in Reading, Listening & Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing Occupational English Test (OET):
| |
All postgraduate research degrees | 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent). | |
Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) | There are entry requirements for PEAP courses so that we can decide how many weeks you need to complete. To comply with Tier 4 visa regulations you must have an IELTS academic test taken at an approved UKVI testing centre. |
**Please note that the date of your IELTS academic test result must be within two years of your degree course start date.**
IELTS requirements for students who do not need a Student visa
We've listed IELTS academic test grade needed for all courses in the table below.
NTU School (or course) | Undergraduate (Bachelors) IELTS academic test grade | Postgraduate (Masters) IELTS academic test grade |
---|---|---|
School of Art & Design School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences | 6.0 This requirement is for Year One entry only. If you're starting in Year Two or final year you'll need the higher grade of 6.5. | 6.5 |
School of Science and Technology | 6.0 This requirement is for Year One entry only. If you're starting in Year Two or final year you'll need the higher grade of 6.5. | 6.5 |
Nottingham Business School | 6.5 | For 1-year Masters you'll need a 6.5 grade overall. For 2-year Masters you'll need a 6.5 grade overall with a minimum of 6.0 in speaking and listening. |
School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment School of Arts and Humanities (see below for Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism) Nottingham Institute of Education Nottingham Law School (see below for BTC) School of Social Sciences (see below for BA (Hons) and MA Social Work, and BSc (Hons) Nursing) School of Art & Design
BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Branding | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism | 7.0 with minimum 6.0 in reading and writing | 7.0 with minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing |
Barristers Training Courses For the BTC we accept the IELTS, Pearson Test of English (Academic), TOEFL iBT and KITE tests. We do not accept any other alternative English language test. | IELTS: 7.5 with a minimum of 7.5 in each component Pearson: 73 overall with 73 in each component. TOEFL iBT: 107 overall with at least 27 in Reading, 27 in Listening, 24 in Speaking and 29 in Writing KITE: 527 in Listening, Reading Writing and Speaking | |
Social Work – BA (Hons) and MA | 7.0 with minimum of 6.5 in each component | |
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) and BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) | IELTS: 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in Reading, Listening & Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing Occupational English Test (OET):
| |
All postgraduate research degrees | 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
Please note that the date of your IELTS academic test result must be within two years of your degree start date.

Alternative English language tests accepted by the University
We accept any of the qualifications listed here as an alternative to IELTS.
In most cases the grades specified are acceptable for courses requiring an IELTS 6.5 unless otherwise stated.
If your course has a higher language requirement, or your qualification is not listed here please email us and we’ll be happy to advise you.
Pearson, Cambridge, Oxford, International/European Baccalaureate, A/O level, Trinity, TOEFL iBT, LanguageCert
Name of test | Grade equivalent to IELTS 6.0 | Grade equivalent to IELTS 6.5 |
---|---|---|
Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 54 (with no less than 51 in any element) | 62 (with no less than 51 in any element) |
C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Scores of 180 and above | Scores of 180 and above |
C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Scores of 169 and above | Scores of 176 and above Scores of 185 and above are equivalent to IELTS 7.0 |
Oxford Test of English (OTE) | 120 overall with at least 111 in each component | 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 62 with at least: Reading - 10 Listening - 9 Speaking – 17 Writing - 19 | Overall score of 81 with at least: Reading - 10 Listening - 9 Speaking – 17 Writing - 19 |
LanguageCert SELT B2 or LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator
acceptable for intakes up to and including September 2021 | 156 overall (scores for all 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component | 180 overall with at least 33 in each component. A score of 39 is required where IELTS 6.0 is required in any component |
IGCSE and GCSE
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 listed below are for international students requiring a Tier 4 visa: | ||
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 Tier 4 visa: 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 |
UK qualifications
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.
Qualifications by country
Grades given below are considered equivalent to IELTS 6.5.
Country | Qualification | Minimum grade required in English element | |
---|---|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda |
| ||
Austria | Matura or Reifeprufung | 2 (gut) when both written and oral examinations have been taken | |
Australia |
| ||
Bahamas | Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree. | ||
Barbados |
| ||
Belize |
| ||
Bermuda |
| ||
Botswana | Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education Examination | C | |
Cameroon | GCE O Level | 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) | C | |
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 | 10 | |
Dominica |
| ||
Gambia | West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (WASSCE / WAEC) | 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) | C6 or 6 | |
Grenada |
| ||
Guyana |
| ||
Hong Kong | Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination [HKCEE] | C or 4 | |
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority [HKEAA] – AS Level Use of English | E | ||
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) |
4 = IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 5 = IELTS 7.0 | ||
Iceland | Studentsprof (from Gymnasium) (Matriculation Certificate) | 9 (when taken as a compulsory modern language) | |
India |
Higher Secondary Certificate (Standard XII) Awarded by CBSE, ISC and select State Boards (please contact us for further info) | 70/100 (70%) or 160/200 (80%) | |
A degree from one of the following universities:
| |||
Ireland | Leaving Certificate | C (Ordinary/Standard Level) | |
Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree | |||
Jamaica |
| ||
Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) | C | |
Liberia | West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (WASSCE / WAEC) | C6 or 6 | |
Malaysia | UCLES English 1119 Syllabus | C | |
Malawi | Malawi Certificate of School Education (MSCE) | 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 | |
Namibian Senior Secondary School Certificate (Ordinary level) | C | ||
The Netherlands | Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) diploma | 8 (goed) | |
New Zealand | National Certificate in Educational Achievement Level 2 | Achieved (A) | |
Academic* qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree | |||
Nigeria | Nigerian Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate | C6 or 6 | |
West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Senior School Certificate | C6 or 6 | ||
Norway | Vitnemål fra den videregående skole (Leaving Certificate from Upper Secondary School) | 4 | |
Rwanda | Ordinary Level Certificate of Education | 1-6/D1-C6 | |
Sierra Leone | West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (WASSCE / WAEC) | 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 | C | |
St Kitts and Nevis |
| ||
St Lucia |
| ||
St Vincent and the Grenadines |
| ||
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 |
| ||
Uganda | Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) grades 1-6 | ||
USA | High School Graduation Diploma |
C (where English has been studied to grade 12) Other qualifications may also be considered - please contact us for advice on these. | |
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 | C |
*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.
The following country qualifications are also accepted for those students who do not require a Tier 4 visa:
Country | Qualification | Minimum grade required in the english element |
---|---|---|
Belgium | Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs | 8/10 or 80% or met grote onderscheiding |
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 |
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 | 90% = IELTS 6.5 75% = IELTS 6.0 |
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 16/20 = IELTS 6.5 14/20 = IELTS 6.0 | |
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 | |
Switzerland | Maturitatzeugnis Certificat de Maturité Attestato de Maturità | 5 (gut) 5 (bien) 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.
Pre-sessional English courses
We offer online pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) courses from 6 to 20 weeks.
If you need help achieving our English language requirements, this course is for you.
There are entry requirements for PEAP courses; the length of your course depends on your English level.
If you need advice on this course please contact nlcpeap@ntu.ac.uk.