English Language Requirements

English language requirements for academic entry

If you do not fall into any of the categories above you will need to provide proof of your English language ability through the International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

IELTS

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.

TOEFL IBT

TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:

• Reading: 17;
• Listening: 17;
• Speaking: 17;
• Writing: 17

* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to a UWS degree programme of study.

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

 

 

 

Common English language equivalents for most courses

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:

• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
• PTE Pearson Academic English: An overall score of 59 to 64 with no element below 59 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5). An overall score 65 to 75 with no element below 65 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0)

West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE)

West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*

• C6 or above in English

*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.

FOR CONDITIONAL OFFER HOLDERS ONLY: If applicants do not have a valid English language certificate but they do have a UWS conditional offer, they have the option to take the UWS English language entry test.  The results of this test are given in IELTS comparable scores; therefore, the requirements are the same as in IELTS. Please note that for visa purposes the minimum requirement is 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

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.