English Qualification Equivalencies
Last modified on June 4th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Introduction
If English is not your native language, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in English in order to study at the University. Please note that English tests must have been obtained within two years prior to you starting your course at the University.
English Language Requirements by Qualifying Examination
The following tests must have been obtained within two years prior to you starting your programme of studies at the University. Any tests not listed below will be considered on an individual basis.
| Qualification | Grade |
| IELTS (Academic or General) | 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in all four components (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | B2 Communicator High Pass with 33 in all four components |
| TOEFL iBT (My Best Scores not accepted) |
90 overall with minimum of 20 in all four components (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | 176 overall with no less than 169 in any component |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | 176 overall with no less than 169 in any component |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE) | 60 overall, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
English Language Requirements by Country-Specific Qualifying Examination
Applicants who have taken higher level English as part of their secondary school examinations (please see list below), may be exempt from these requirements. The qualification must have been achieved within five years prior to the start date of the programme of studies. Any English grades in qualifications not covered below will be considered on an individual basis.
| Country and Qualification | Grade |
| International-International Baccalaureate (IB) | English A: English Language & Literature or English Literature HL4 or SL5
English B: HL5 or SL5 |
| Austria – Reifeprüfungszeugnis | 2 (gut) in English (written exam) |
| Belgium – Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs/ Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur | 14/20 or 70% |
| Denmark – Studentereksamen | 7 |
| EU-European Baccalaureate (EB) | 70% or 7 at L1 English
80% or 8 at L2 English L3 English not acceptable |
| Finland – Ylioppilastutkintotodistus | Grade M/5 (magna cum laude approbatur) |
| France – Baccalaureate – General | 13 where English is the first foreign language (LV1/LVA) |
| France – Baccalaureat – (Option Int’l de Bacc) British or American option | 12 |
| Germany – Abitur | 12 in English as Leistungskurs |
| Hong Kong – HKDSE | Level 4 in the English core component |
| Iceland – Stúdentspróf (bóknámsbraut) | 8 in English as a compulsory subject |
| India – Standard XII (CISCE and CBSE) | 70% overall in the English component |
| Luxembourg Diplôme de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires | 45% (bien) |
| Malta – Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate (MATSEC) | C |
| Malaysia – SPM (1119) | C |
| Netherlands – Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) | 7 |
| Nigeria – West African Examinations Council (WAEC) | C6 in English |
| Norway – Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole | 4 when English is taken as a Common Core Subject |
| Poland – Matura | 70% when English is taken as an Extended Subject |
| Singapore – O-Level | C |
| Singapore – Integrated Programme | C in English Language or Language Arts |
| Sweden – Fullständigt Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan | English 7 at Grade C (VG) |
| Switzerland – Switzerland Certificat de Maturité / Maturitätszeugnis / Attestato di Maturità | 5 (on a scale of 6)
7 (on a scale of 10) |
| United Kingdom-GCSE/IGCSE | English Language or English Literature- 4 or C
English as a 1st language-4 or C (Speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate) English as a 2nd language-6 or B (Speaking and Listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate) |
| United Kingdom-GCE AS/A Level | English Language or English Language & Literature or English Literature- C |
| USA-Advanced Placement | English Language and Composition-4 out of 5
English Literature and Composition-4 out of 5 |
| USA-High School Diploma (only when taken within the US) | Grade 12 English at grade B or 80% |
English Language Requirement Exemptions
If you are applying for a Postgraduate programme and are a national or have successfully completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree from one of the following countries within the past five years, then you are not required to complete an additional English language test:
| Antigua and Barbuda | Ireland |
| Australia | Jamaica |
| The Bahamas | New Zealand |
| Barbados | St Kitts and Nevis |
| Belize | St Lucia |
| Canada (only applies to Nationals) | St Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Dominica | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Grenada | United Kingdom |
| Guyana | United States |
If you are applying for a Postgraduate programme and are a national or have successfully completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree from one of the following countries within the past five years, then you are not required to complete an additional English language test:
You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies:
- You are a national of Canada,
- You are applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA, or
- You proved your level of English in a previous visa application.
Postgraduate Programme Specific Requirements
The MA Contemporary Creative Writing and Postgraduate Research programmes require the following:
| Qualification | Grade |
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all four components (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) |
| TOEFL iBT (My Best Scores not accepted) |
100 overall with minimum of 22 in all four components (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | 185 overall with no less than 178 in any component |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | 185 overall with no less than 178 in any component |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE) | 65 overall, with a minimum of 60 in each component |
Version History
| Title: English Qualification Equivalencies
Approved by: Academic Board Location: Academic Handbook/ Policies and Procedures/ Admission |
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| Version Number | Date Approved | Date Published | Owner | Proposed Next Review Date |
| 24.6.0 | July 2023 | July 2023 | Head of Admissions | October 2024 |
| Version numbering system revised March 2023 | ||||
| 5.1 | November 2022 | December 2022 | Head of Admissions | October 2023 |
| 5.0 | October 2021 | October 2021 | Head of Admissions | August 2022 |
| 4.0 | May 2021 | May 2021 | Admissions Manager | August 2021 |
| 3.3 | March 2021 | March 2021 | Admissions Manager | August 2021 |
| 3.2 | March 2021 | March 2021 | Admissions Manager | August 2021 |
| 3.1 | November 2020 | November 2020 | Admissions Manager | August 2021 |
| 3.0 | September 2020 | September 2020 | Admissions Manager | August 2021 |
| Referenced documents | None | |||
| External Reference Point(s) | UK Quality Code Theme: Admissions, Recruitment and Widening Access | |||