For international students
English language requirements
Every applicant, wherever they studied, shows a minimum level of English before a place is confirmed. If you are close, a pre-sessional can sit between the offer and the degree.
What most courses ask for
Most bachelor and master degrees ask for IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band below 5.5. IELTS Academic Online is accepted. Tests are normally no more than two years old at the course start.
Research degrees, the MBA and MSc Public Health ask for 6.5, with no band below 6.0. Nursing asks for 7.0, with no band below 6.5, because practice is regulated.
A degree taught and assessed entirely in English can sometimes replace a test. We decide that from the transcript and a letter from the university, not from the language of the country.
Accepted tests
| Test | Most degrees | Higher profile | Nursing |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 7.0, no band below 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 59 | 65 | 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | 88 | 100 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 | 70 | 75 |
| Duolingo | 110, plus a short interview | 120, plus a short interview | Not accepted |
Pre-sessional English
If your offer is conditional on English, these dates are the usual way to meet it before September 2027. Fees are international student fees.
| Course | You should already have | Dates | Fee | Apply by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | About 0.5 below the degree score, with no band more than 0.5 under the minimum | 6 July – 14 August 2027 | £1,180 | 15 May 2027 |
| 10 weeks | About 1.0 below the degree score | 8 June – 14 August 2027 | £1,860 | 1 May 2027 |
In-sessional support
Students already on a degree can book weekly academic writing and seminar language. It is included in tuition. It does not replace an admission test.
How a certificate is read
Send the official result, not a screenshot of a practice test. The test date should fall within two years of the course start. If the name on the certificate does not match the passport, tell us before we raise it as a problem.
A degree taught and assessed entirely in English can replace a test for most courses. Nursing is the exception: the health profile still needs a secure test. We decide English-medium study from the transcript and a letter from the university, not from the language spoken in the country.
A worked example
An applicant for Computer Science has IELTS 5.5 overall, with writing at 5.5 and the other bands at 5.5. That is half a band short of 6.0, and no band is more than half a band under 5.5. The usual route is the 6-week pre-sessional, 6 July to 14 August 2027, fee £1,180.
The same scores would not be enough for Nursing, which asks for 7.0. That applicant would need a longer route, or a retake, before a September start. Use the checker above with the nursing profile before you book a course.