Minimum English language standards

As all programmes at UWS are taught in English, it’s essential that you are able to competently read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS and be successful in your studies.

All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of:

  • Native speakers of English
  • Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
  • non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)

English language requirements for academic entry

If you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Langauages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).

International English Language Test System (IELTS)

  • for undergraduate bachelor degrees and postgraduate taught degrees the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally International English Language Test System (IELTS) 6.0 (or equivalent), with no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
  • for postgraduate research degrees the CEFR equivalent requirement is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent), with no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

UKVI allows universities to make their own assessment for applicants entering Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), or above, and so UWS will still accept a IELTs certificate that does not have the unique UKVI reference number. In these cases we would advise on the CAS that the UWS has made our own assessment.

In addition to accepting IELTs without a unique UKVI reference number, UWS will also accept a number of alternative English language tests for SCQF Level 9 study, or above (see below for more details).

Please note that any English language qualification should have been taken within two years of the UWS course start date.

Typical IELTS Indicators†

  • Undergraduate (BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc) – IELTS 6.0 with no skill below 5.5
  • Postgraduate Taught (MA, MBA, MSc) – IELTS 6.0 with no skill below 5.5
  • Postgraduate Research (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf)– IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0

These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.

NB: Individual course entry requirements are detailed on each course page.

IELTS certificates should be dated within two years at the time of applying to study at UWS.​

† see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information.

IELTS Score Exceptions (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf, Certificate of Higher Education and professionally-recognised degrees in Health and Social Work etc.)

Research degrees and Research-led MSc

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0

Health, Nursing & Midwifery degrees

For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no less than 7.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking
  • no less than 6.5 in Writing

paramedic Science

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test less than 6.5

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES

Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally-recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council, and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test less than 7.0

CertificateS of Higher Education

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 5.0
  • no sub-test less than 4.5

In additional to IELTS, all of the following stated English language tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students at bachelor degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above:

  • Cambridge AS and A levels: Grade C, or above
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): Grade C
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C
  • Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in EOSL International: overall score 170 with no element below 163
  • TOEFL iBT: For all taught degree applicaitons, TOEFL iBT: 78; no sub-test less than 17 (Reading: 17, Listening: 17, Speaking: 17, Writing: 17)

    For all research degree applications (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), TOEFL iBT: 93; with no sub-test less than 19 (Reading: 21, Listening: 19, Speaking: 20, Writing: 21)

    Must be taken in the last two years for admission to any UWS degree programme of study.
  • LanguageCert International ESOL: for all applications to pre-registration Nursing courses (BSc / MSc Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Midwifery applicants), C1 Expert Pass is required. For all applicants to all other undergraduate courses, B2 Comminicator Pass is required. For applicants to all other postgraduate courses, B2 Communicator Pass or B2 Communicator High Pass is required.
  • Occupational English Language Test for Healthcare Professionals (OET): the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accepts this test for Tier 2 applicants but not for Tier 4 applicants. This noted, the university would consider applicants for entry to year 3 undergraduate (SCQF Level 9) studies and beyond by making our own assessment.
  • Oxford International English Language Level Test (ELLT): For courses requireing an IELTS of 6.0, overall 6, minimum 5.5 in all skills. Must be at a minimum of B2 and equivalent to IELTs of 6.0. For courses requiring an IELTS of 7.0, overall 7.0 minimum 6.5 in all skills. Must be at a minimum of B2 and equivalent to IELTS of 7.0.
  • Password English Language Test: Grades equivalent to CEFR B2 for entry to Year 3 (SCQF Level 9) undegraduate study and above - Password scores of 6.0 or higher
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): An overall score of 59 with no element below 59 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5). An overall score 66 with no element below 66 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0)
  • Skills for English (SELT): For courses requireing an IELTS of 6.0, overall 6, minimum 5.5 in all skills. Must be at a minimum of B2 and equivalent to IELTs of 6.0. 
  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in Reading and Listening

English Language High School Qualifications for Non-EU applicants

UWS has also reviewed High / Secondary School qualifications studied by Non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS award. As such, we will consider applications with qualifications from the list below:

  • Botswana: GCSE / O-level English Language: Grade C
  • Cambridge AS and A Levels: Grade C, or above
  • Cambridge O-levels: Grade C, or above
  • Cameroon: GCE / O-level English Language: Grade C
  • GCE A or AS level English: Grade C, or above
  • GCSE English: Grade C, or above
  • Ghana: WASSCE English or WAEC (West African Education Certificate): Grade C6, or higher; certificate should not be older than 10 years at the time of making your application
  • HKEAA Use of English: Grade C, or above
  • Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination in English Syllabus B (HKCEE): Grade 3 in all test elements
  • IGCSE English as a First Language: Grade C, or above, with a minimum level of B2 in each component
  • IGCSE English as a Second Language: Grade C, or above, with a minimum level of B2 in each component
  • India: XII Examination: 70% or higher in English in the Indian HSC Intermediate (10+2) (XII Standard) exam, in lieu of IELTS*. The XII certificate should not be older than 8 years at the time of making the application. (i.e.Indian Class XII dated 2016 will be accepted for AY2024-25)

    Students will require an IELTS or equivalent, if applying from the following School Education Boards: Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh

    The XII certificate should not be older than 8 years at the time of making the application.
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma - English: Higher Level, Grade 4, or above
  • Kenya:KCSE English Language: Grade C,
  • Malaysia (SPM 1119): Grade C
  • Nigeria, The Gambia and Liberia – WAEC (West African Education Certificate) in English Language: C / 6. Certificate should not be older than 10 years at the time of making the application
  • Nigeria: National Examinations Council (NECO) in English Language: C6. Certificate should not be older than 10 years at the time of making the application
  • Occupational English Language Test for healthcare professionals (OET) - for Year 3 undergrduate (SCQF level 9), or above only: Pass
  • Ontario Secondary School Certificate: English Grade C (70%), or above
  • Scottish SQA National 5 in English: Grade B, or above
  • Scottish SQA Higher in English: Grade C, or above
  • Scottish SQA Higher in ESOL: Grade C, or above
  • Singapore A-level English Language/Literature: Grade D
  • South African National Senior Certificate: Grade 5 (60%), or above, in English
  • Sri Lanka GCE Ordinary-level: Grade A-C
  • Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education: Grade C
  • Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE): 3-6 / Grade C in General Paper
  • USA High School Graduation Diploma: 3.0 GPA in English
  • West African Senior School Certificate including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard: C6, or above, in English. Certificate should not be older than 10 years at the time of making the application
  • Zambia General Cert of Education/School Certificate: Grade C

Waiving English Language requirements

When applying to UWS, we can also accept previous degree-level study that has been taught and assessed in English in what UKVI define as a majority English speaking country.

Please note that the list of countries is not exhaustive and so please contact the Admissions team if a country is not within this list but you (as a student) have been taught and assessed in English and can provide evidence to support this.

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • New Zealand
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America

The Admissions team also review each application on ECCTIS as per country information is provided on which regions students are taught in English. For instance, for all regions in Canada (other than Quebec) UWS will not look for a Secure English Language Test (SELT) unless you were taught at one of the following institutions:

Manitoba

  • Université de Saint-Boniface (USB)

New Brunswick

Université de Moncton

Nova Scotia

  • Université Sainte-Anne

Ontario

  • La Cité Collégiale d'Arts Appliqués et de Technologie
  • Université de Hearst (Laurentian University)

For the following institutions, we will look for a letter confirming medium of instruction as these institutions are Bilingual:

Alberta

  • University of Alberta

Ontario

  • Dominican University College
  • Laurentian University
  • Royal Military College of Canada, Ontario
  • University of Guelph
  • University of Sudbury (Laurentian University)

Quebec

If an applicant is from Quebec, we will ask for a SELT unless the student studied at one of the following institutions:

  • McGill University in Montreal
  • Concordia University in Montreal
  • Bishop’s University in Lennoxville

English language requirements for a UK VISA

If you live outside the EU/EEA, you will need to obtain a visa in order to live and study in the UK. If English is not your first language you will need to meet minimum standards of English set out by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) as part of the visa application process.

Full details of the English language test requirements set by UKVI are available on the UK Government website. 

Pre-sessional English Language Courses

We understand that you might need to improve your English language skills to meet visa or application requirements. Our Pre-sessional English Language courses help you meet the IELTS standard for study at UWS.

See our English Language Courses

Last updated: 14/05/2024