It’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS.
All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of:
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).
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*: 78; no sub-test less than:
* 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 this programme.
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
*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 our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
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:
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:
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:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
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.
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.
Due to the current situation involving the coronavirus we are offering an online test for applicants to prove their English language competency.
These take place each Wednesday at 9am. To register for one of these tests please email englishlanguage@uws.ac.uk one week in advance of the date you wish to take the test. We will then be in touch to supply you with all of the relevant information.
NB: The processing of test results normally takes 2-3 weeks.