English language requirements

You must demonstrate that you have a good level of English to study at UAL. Most students from outside of the UK will need to submit results from an English language test. The IELTS test is one example of a test that UAL accepts.

You do not need to take an English language test before you apply.

Please see the information below regarding the English language requirements process.

Some downloadable documents on this page may not be accessible. If you require an alternative format, please request it using the 'contact us' button in your UAL portal.

1. Confirm the English language level you need

Each course at UAL has a minimum English language requirement. Check the entry requirements section on the relevant course page.

The English language requirement is expressed as an overall IELTS score between 5.0 and 7.5. There are also minimum skill requirements.

We accept several other English language tests in addition to IELTS.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not currently have the language test score that you need, you will need to take another test. We offer pre-sessional English courses to improve your English level. You can check your eligibility by taking our questionnaire.

We might accept a pre-sessional English qualification from some other UK universities. But there are some important conditions which you should check in other institutions' presessional English language courses (PDF 77KB). We do not accept online pre-sessional courses from any other institution.

If you have taken a pre-sessional course at another institution you must let us know. Get in contact by selecting the ‘Contact Us’ button in your UAL Portal. You can access the portal after you have applied for your course. In your email, please provide details of the course you took including:

a link to the webpage of the course
the full name of the course
the duration and end date of the course.

UAL's Progress Test

If you are a current UAL student, you can take UAL’s Progress Test instead of IELTS or another external test. Your current test result must be less than 2 years old on the start date of your course.

2. Check if you’re exempt from testing

If you meet all the requirements of one of the below categories, you don’t need to take an English language test.

Category 1

You are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Majority English speaking countries are designated by UK Visas and Immigration. Check the list on GOV.UK
You have completed full secondary-level education in a majority English-speaking country. If you took only part of your secondary education in the UK or a majority English speaking country, you are not exempt from taking a test.

Category 2

You are a non-UK national who is permanently and legally resident in the UK.
You have an existing immigration status that permits study and you will not require a student visa during your studies with us.
You have completed full secondary-level education in the UK or in a majority English-speaking country. If you took only part of your secondary education in the UK or a majority English speaking country, you are not exempt from taking a test.

Category 3

You hold a qualification equal to a UK undergraduate degree or higher which was taught in English.
Your proposed course of study at UAL will be at least RQF Level 6 (BA, MA or above).

We set minimum grades for each qualification. Please see degree qualifications or above (PDF 196KB). If your degree is not listed, get in touch using the ‘Contact Us’ button in your UAL Portal after you have applied.

Qualifications are only valid for 3 years after they have been issued. They must be valid on the start date of your course. We are not able to give extensions.

Category 4

If you completed one of the following English Language or Literature qualifications in the UK when you were 18 years old or younger, you may be exempt from taking an additional test:

GCSE
A-level
Scottish National Qualification
Scottish Higher
Advanced Higher

After you have applied, contact the Admissions team using the ‘Contact Us’ button in your UAL Portal. We will ask you to upload your certificate.

These qualifications are valid for 3 years from the date of issue and must be valid on the start date of your course. We set minimum grades for each qualification. You can check the minimum grades required for each qualification in alternative English language qualifications (PDF 260 KB)

3. Tests accepted by UAL

We do not accept online at home English language tests.
For pre-degree and foundation level courses (courses below RQF6), we only accept Secure English language Tests (SELTs). SELTs are tests which are approved by the UK government. Check on GOV.UK for a list of approved test providers.
For undergraduate and postgraduate courses, we accept a range of tests in addition to SELTs. Please check the tables at the bottom of this page for more details.

Test validity

Your English language test must be valid on the start date of your course. Check the tables below to confirm how long your test result is valid for. We can’t give extensions under any circumstances.

Minimum skills requirements

You must achieve 5 language scores. One is an overall score, and the rest are for listening, reading, writing, and speaking. There are minimum scores you must achieve for each skill, which are listed in the tables below.
You must achieve your scores from a single sitting of a test. We do not accept results from tests taken at different times or 'best of' results.
Your test provider might exempt you from sitting a skill if you have a disability. Check with your test provider whether they offer disability accommodated tests. They may need several weeks to arrange this, so consider booking early.

IELTS Academic for UKVI

If your condition includes 'IELTS Academic for UKVI', you must provide a certificate for this test or another UKVI approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). We cannot accept:

IELTS Academic (non-SELT)
IELTS General (non-SELT)
IELTS General (SELT)

IGCSEs

If you take a Cambridge IGCSE, you must:

Check you have taken a syllabus that assesses all 4 skills separately (listening, reading, writing and speaking) and gives a score for each skill. We have listed IGCSE syllabus numbers we accept in the tables at the bottom of this page.
Provide 2 documents: the certificate and the certifying statement from the exam body, which will include a score for all 4 skills. You will need to request the certifying statement and pay the fee. It can take up to 28 days to provide.

Please note, if you took an IGCSE between 2020 and 2022 you may not have been externally assessed in every skill.

4. Check if we can accept an alternative English language qualification

We can only accept an alternative English language qualification if:

You are a national of a majority English speaking country. The UK Home Office defines this list and you can find this on GOV.UK: Student visa.
You do not require a student visa to study at UAL.

If one of these apply to you, check alternative English language qualifications (PDF 260KB).

5. Check which test scores are required

Minimum scores required for:

Courses that require IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)
Courses that require IELTS 5.5 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)
Courses that require IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)
Courses that require IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)
Courses that require IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6 in each skill)
Courses that require IELTS 7.5 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)

For courses which require non-standard scores which are not listed above

Non-standard course entry requirements (PDF 113KB)

Courses that require IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)

This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.

Test	Score Required	Minimum Listening	Minimum Reading	Minimum Writing	Minimum Speaking
IELTS Academic for UKVI (valid for 2 years).	5.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5
PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years).	43	43	43	43	43
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years).	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	High Pass	High Pass 33	High Pass 33	High Pass 33	High Pass 33
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	Pass	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	Pass	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33
PSI Skills for English B1 (valid for 2 years).	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit

Courses that require IELTS 5.5 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)

This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.

Test	Score Required	Minimum Listening	Minimum Reading	Minimum Writing	Minimum Speaking
IELTS Academic for UKVI (valid for 2 years).	5.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5
PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years).	43	43	43	43	43
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years).	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass	ISE II Pass
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	Pass	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	Pass	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33	Pass 33
PSI Skills for English B2 (valid for 2 years).	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass

Courses that require IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.

Test	Score Required	Minimum Listening	Minimum Reading	Minimum Writing	Minimum Speaking
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years).	6.0	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5
PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years). PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted.	59	59	59	59	59
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (valid for 2 years).	169	162	162	162	162
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years).	169	162	162	162	162
Cambridge B2 First (valid for 2 years).	169	162	162	162	162
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years).	C	A	D	D	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years).	C	A	D	D	C
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years).	C	2	E	E	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years).	C	D	E	E	D
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years).	ISE II Merit	ISE II Merit	ISE II Merit	ISE II Merit	ISE II Merit
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years). TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted.	80	17	18	17	20
PSI Skills for English B2 (valid for 2 years).	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit	Pass with Merit
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2(valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	33	33	33	33	33
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	33	33	33	33	33

Courses that require IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.

Test	Score Required	Minimum Listening	Minimum Reading	Minimum Writing	Minimum Speaking
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years).	6.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5
PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years). PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted.	59	59	59	59	59
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (valid for 2 years).	176	162	162	162	162
Cambridge C1 Advanced (valid for 2 years).	176	162	162	162	162
Cambridge B2 First (valid for 2 years).	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years).	C	A	D	D	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years).	C	A	D	D	C
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years).	C	2	E	E	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years).	C	D	E	E	D
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years).	ISE III Pass	ISE III Pass	ISE III Pass	ISE III Pass	ISE III Pass
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years). TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted.	90	17	18	17	20
PSI Skills for English C1 (valid for 2 years).	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	33	33	33	33	33

Courses that require IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6 in each skill)

This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.

Test	Score Required	Minimum Listening	Minimum Reading	Minimum Writing	Minimum Speaking
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years).	7.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years). PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted.	65	59	59	59	59
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (valid for 2 years).	185	169	169	169	169
Cambridge C1 Advanced (valid for 2 years).	185	169	169	169	169
Cambridge B2 First (valid for 2 years).	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years).	B	A	C	C	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years).	B	A	C	C	C
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years).	B	2	D	D	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years).	B	C	D	D	C
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years).	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years). TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted.	100	20	20	20	20
PSI Skills for English C1 (valid for 2 years).	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	33	33	33	33	33

Courses that require IELTS 7.5 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)

This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.

Test	Score Required	Minimum Listening	Minimum Reading	Minimum Writing	Minimum Speaking
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years).	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years). PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted.	73	59	59	59	59
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (valid for 2 years).	191	176	176	176	176
Cambridge C1 Advanced (valid for 2 years).	191	176	176	176	176
Cambridge B2 First (valid for 2 years).	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid	Not valid
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years).	B	A	B	B	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years).	B	A	B	B	B
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years).	B	1	C	C	2
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years).	B	B	C	C	C
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years).	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit	ISE III Merit
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years). TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted.	110	22	22	22	22
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years). Online at home tests and LanguageCert Academic are NOT accepted.	33	33	33	33	33

English language requirements

1. Confirm the English language level you need

Pre-sessional English courses

UAL's Progress Test

2. Check if you’re exempt from testing

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Category 4

3. Tests accepted by UAL

Test validity

Minimum skills requirements

IELTS Academic for UKVI

IGCSEs

4. Check if we can accept an alternative English language qualification

5. Check which test scores are required

Minimum scores required for:

For courses which require non-standard scores which are not listed above

Courses that require IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)

Courses that require IELTS 5.5 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)

Courses that require IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

Courses that require IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

Courses that require IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6 in each skill)

Courses that require IELTS 7.5 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)

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