Profile F
Unless specifically stated, the information below details the English language skill level required for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. We refer to these skill levels as ‘profiles’. For this profile, you need to achieve the listed level.
Applicants who are nationals of one of the following countries will generally be exempt* from providing additional evidence of their English language ability:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- British overseas territories
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Antarctic Territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn Islands
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States of America.
This is in line with UKVI guidance.
* The University reserves the right to ask for additional evidence of English language if we have concerns about an applicant’s abilities.
Applicants who have studied one of the following in an English-speaking country may meet the University's English language requirements:
- Final four years of high school education
- Two years of a full-time Bachelor's degree
- One year of a Master's degree
- Two years of a TNE/international partnership degree
In all cases, the qualification must have been awarded no more than seven years prior to the start of the degree programme and the qualification must have been completed in an English-speaking country per the list in the 'National of an English-speaking country' section above.
We also accept qualifications completed in the following countries to meet this requirement:
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Uganda
- Zambia
English Medium of Instruction
Applicants with a university-level qualification listed above, when fully taught and examined in English (not including Study Abroad years) in any country, may also meet the University's English language requirements.
This must be evidenced by means of an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from the awarding institution, confirming that English is the medium of teaching and examination.
Duration of validity and evidence of ongoing engagement with English
In all cases, qualifications must have been awarded no more than seven years prior to the start of the degree programme. This is determined by year of award, for example, a degree awarded from 1 January 2018 would satisfy this requirement for entry in September 2025.
Qualifications completed beyond the seven-year timeframe may still be considered, provided there is clear and satisfactory evidence to demonstrate ongoing engagement with English (such as through work experience).
Work experience
Applicants can demonstrate ongoing engagement with English post-study through work experience in a country listed in the National of an English-speaking Country section of this page. Applicants will need to provide evidence that:
- they have worked for a minimum of two years in an English-speaking country (as listed above) where the main language for the role was English since completing your qualification in English;
- their role involved daily professional use of English;
- and that their role has ended no more than two years before the start date of the course to which they are applying.
Any evidence to satisfy this must be provided by an employer confirming:
- the name and contact details of the employer;
- the nature of employment and use of English in the workplace;
- and the dates of employment (ending no more than two years prior to the course starting).
Suitable evidence could be:
- an electronic document or photo of a hard-copy letter on headed paper;
- an email from the employer directly;
- a copy of a signed contract.
The University reserves the right to refuse an English language exemption if we have concerns about an applicant's abilities.
The tests listed below are valid when they are taken no more than two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. For UG and PGT courses starting in September, the test date must be no earlier than 1 September two years prior to entry (for example, 1 September 2021 for entry in September 2023). For UG and PGT courses starting in January, we can accept tests where the test date is no earlier than 1 December two years prior to entry (for example, 1 December 2020 for entry in January 2023). For PGR students, we can accept tests where the test date is no earlier than the first day of the month two years prior to the month in which the programme starts (for example, 1 January 2021 for entry in January 2023).
Component scores must be met fully through one sitting of the test; we cannot combine scores from multiple certificates.
Qualification |
Grade required |
IELTS Academic for UKVI from authorised test centres only (otherwise see English language proficiency tests): Results including the One Skill Retake (OSR) are acceptable. All scores will be taken from one Test Report Form (TRF). |
6.0 overall with either listening or speaking at 6.5, with no skill below 6.0 |
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV: |
pass in all skills |
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III: |
pass in all skills |
LanguageCert Academic SELT |
B2 level with 65 overall, 70 in either listening or speaking, and 65 in all other skills |
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI |
64 overall with no lower than 67 in listening and speaking and no lower than 64 in all other skills |
Skills for English |
C1/C2 Pass/B2 Pass with Merit |
The tests listed below are valid when they are taken no more than two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. For UG and PGT courses starting in September, the test date must be no earlier than 1 September two years prior to entry (for example, 1 September 2021 for entry in September 2023). For UG and PGT courses starting in January, we can accept tests where the test date is no earlier than 1 December two years prior to entry (for example, 1 December 2020 for entry in January 2023). For PGR students, we can accept tests where the test date is no earlier than the first day of the month two years prior to the month in which the programme starts (for example, 1 January 2021 for entry in January 2023).
Component scores must be met fully through one sitting of the test; we cannot combine scores from multiple certificates.
Qualification |
Grade required |
IELTS Academic (at a test centre or online): Results including the One Skill Retake (OSR) are acceptable. All scores will be taken from one Test Report Form (TRF). |
6.0 overall with either listening or speaking at 6.5, with no score below 6.0 |
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL at Home: |
83 overall with either R20, L21, S21 and W20, or R20, L20, S23 and W20 |
Pearson PTE Academic (Test Centre): (Online valid for 2023 entry only) |
64 overall with no lower than 67 in listening and speaking and no lower than 64 in all other skills |
C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): |
Grade C, or Level C1 |
C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): |
Grade C, or Level B2 with either listening or speaking at 176 and no skill below 168 |
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV: |
with pass in all skills |
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III: |
with pass in all skills |
NCUK EAP |
C overall with either listening or speaking at B, no score below C |
The tests listed below are valid where they are taken no more than two years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. For UG and PGT courses starting in September, the test date must be no earlier than 1 September two years prior to entry (for example, 1 September 2021 for entry in September 2023). For UG and PGT courses starting in January, we can accept tests where the test date is no earlier than 1 December two years prior to entry (for example, 1 December 2020 for entry in January 2023). For PGR students, we can accept tests where the test date is no earlier than the first day of the month two years prior to the month in which the programme starts (for example, 1 January 2021 for entry in January 2023).
Component scores must be met fully through one sitting of the test; we cannot combine scores from multiple certificates.
Qualification | Grade required |
University of Portsmouth Pre-Sessional English | Either listening or speaking at 65, no score below 60 |
Kaplan EAP | 60% (High Credit) overall with either listening or speaking at 65% (High Credit), with no score below 60% (High Credit) |
NCUK English Test | 6.0 overall with either listening or speaking at 6.5, with no score below 6.0 |
Heriot-Watt Pre-Sessional English | Grade C with either listening or speaking at 60%, with no skill below 55% |
Strathclyde ELT (including British Council UK pre-sessional Strathclyde ELT) |
Either Speaking or Listening at 6.5, no skill below 6.0 |
LanguageCert Academic |
B2 level with 65 overall, 70 in either listening or speaking, and 65 in all other skills |
Oxford International ELLT |
An OIDI score of 6 overall, with either speaking or listening at 7, with no skill below 6 |
University of Warwick EAP |
60% overall, no skill below 60% |
AEMG Direct Entry Programme EAP |
75% overall with either listening or speaking at 80%, no skill below 75% |
The qualifications listed below are valid where they are taken no more than seven years before the start date of your chosen programme of study.
Qualification |
Grade required |
GCSE English Language |
C or 4 |
GCSE English Literature |
C or 4 |
IGCSE English as a 1st Language |
C or 4 |
IGCSE English as a 1st language with speaking and listening endorsement |
C or 4 |
IGCSE English as a 2nd Language |
C or 4 |
IGCSE English as a 2nd Language with speaking endorsement |
C or 4 |
IGCSE English Literature |
C or 4 |
IGCSE English Language A / B |
C or 4 |
AS Level or A Level English Language or English Language and Literature |
C |
AS Level or A Level English Literature |
C |
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature |
5 at SL or 4 at HL |
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature and Language |
5 at SL or 4 at HL |
International Baccalaureate Language B: English |
5 at SL or 4 at HL |
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) Language Acquisition: English |
5 |
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) Language and Literature: English |
5 |
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE) O Level English specifications 1119, 1120, 1123, 1125, 1127, 1128 |
C |
The qualifications listed below are valid where they are taken no more than seven years before the start date of your chosen programme of study.
Qualification |
Requirement |
Austria: Reifeprüfung/ Matura |
2 (gut) in both written and oral |
Belgium |
14/20 or 70% |
Croatia: Matura |
English A/ visa razina at 4 |
Denmark Studentereksamen Level A |
Grade 7 |
European Baccalaureate |
L1 English at 55%, L2 English at 65%, L2A at 70% |
Finland: Ylioppilastut-kintotodistus |
4 in English A |
France: Baccalaureat |
11 in English LV A |
France: Baccalauréat Français International/ Option Internationale du Baccalaureat – British English, American English or Australian English |
10 in English Language and Literature |
Germany where English is taken as a Leistungskurs / Kernfächer / erhöhtem Anforderungsniveau |
11 |
Germany where English is not taken at higher level |
13 |
The qualifications listed below are valid where they are taken no more than seven years before the start date of your chosen programme of study.
Qualification |
Requirement |
Iceland: Studentsprof when taken as a compulsory language in final year |
6 in English |
Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate |
H3, O6 or C4 (pre-2017) |
Luxembourg: Examen de Fin d'Études Secondaires |
40 (bien) in English |
Malta: Secondary Education Certificate |
Grade 4 |
Netherlands: VWO |
6 |
Norway: Vitnemal where English is taken as a common core subject |
4 |
Poland |
60th percentile in extended level English |
Scotland: National 5 |
C in English |
Sweden: Slutbetyg where English 7 has been taken |
C |
Switzerland: Maturity Certificate |
5 (on a scale of 6) or 7 (on a scale of 10) |
The qualifications listed below are valid where they are taken no more than seven years before the start date of your chosen programme of study.
Qualification |
Requirement |
Cameroon O level |
C in English |
Caribbean CSEC |
CSEC English with Three (III) at general proficiency |
Gambia WAEC where scratch-card number supplied |
C6 |
Ghana WAEC where scratch-card number supplied |
C6 |
Hong Kong: HKDSE |
3 in English |
India (CISCE or CBSE) Standard XII/Senior School Certificate Examination |
68% in English |
India (Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal state boards) |
75% in English |
Kenya KCSE |
English at grade C or 8 |
Liberia WAEC where scratch-card number supplied |
C6 |
The qualifications listed below are valid where they are taken no more than seven years before the start date of your chosen programme of study.
Qualification |
Requirement |
Malawi MSCE |
English at 7 |
Malaysia SPM (pre-2022) |
C in English language |
Malaysia SPM |
CEFR band B2 |
Nigeria WAEC where scratch-card number supplied |
C6 |
Sierra Leone WAEC where scratch-card number supplied |
C6 |
Singapore: Integrated Programme Literature in English H2 or English Language and Linguistics H2: |
C |
Singapore Integrated Programme General Paper |
C in General Paper |
Singapore Ordinary Level |
Grade C in English |
Singapore: Secondary 4 English Language/Language Arts |
Grade C |
Singapore: NUS Integrated Diploma where EL 6103 (Language in Society III) or EL5101 (Language in Society II) have been taken |
C |
South Africa NSC |
English Home Language with 3 or English First Additional Language with 5 |
Tanzania Secondary School Leaving Certificate |
Grade C in English |
Uganda Certificate of Education |
Grade 7 in English |
United States: AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition |
3 |
United States: ACT |
23 in ACT English with 6 in Writing |
United States: SAT (taken after 2016) Reading and Writing scores |
R 32, W 32 |
Qualification |
Undergraduate (Score Required) |
Postgraduate (Score Required) |
International Foundation Programme |
58% overall for language units, minimum 63% in Text Response, minimum 58% in Academic Writing Or 58% overall in Accelerated Academic Language and Literacy |
N/A |
Pre-sessional |
Pass in Problem Based Learning Pass in Portfolio 63% in presentation |
Pass in Problem Based Learning Pass in Portfolio 63% in presentation |