English Language Requirements
International and EU applicants will need to show evidence of a sufficient knowledge of English. This must be proved before you begin your course. If you have not achieved the required level before sending us your application, your formal offer for postgraduate study will include a condition stating that you need to achieve this level before the start of your course. If you do not reach the required level of proficiency, it will not be possible to admit you onto the course.
N.B. All non-EEA students: All students applying to Aberystwyth University must demonstrate that they are competent in the use of the English language and satisfy the University’s requirements as below. The following qualifications are accepted by the University and are considered to satisfy a minimum of CEFR B2 level in each component (speaking, writing, listening and reading). This is the minimum level acceptable for degree level study in order to secure a visa to enter the UK via Tier 4 (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/).
The table below outlines the levels of proficiency needed.
N.B. Test results are only valid for a maximum of two years.
N.B. General entry requirement of IELTS 6.5 applies to: Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences; Computer Science; Education and Lifelong Learning; European Languages; History and Welsh History; Information Studies; Law and Criminology (Taught LLM courses and Legal Practice course); Mathematics and Physics; School of Art; School of Management and Business (MBA, MScEcon in Accounting & Finance, MScEcon in Banking and Financial Regulation, MScEcon in International Business and Public Policy, MPhil and PhD); Sport and Exercise Science; Welsh.
| English Language Test Scores required for entry to Postgraduate Programmes |
Masters in Management courses with the School of Management and Business MSc courses with the Department of Computer Science | General entry requirement |
English Literature and Creative Writing (Masters) Geography and Earth Sciences International Politics Law and Criminology (PhD, MPhil and LLM by Research) Psychology Theatre, Film and Television Studies | English and Creative Writing (PhD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component |
6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component |
7.0 with minimum 6.0 in each component Department of English and Creative Writing (Masters) 7.0 in each component |
7.5 with minimum 7.5 in each component |
| TOEFL | 88 with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening and Writing - 17, Reading - 18, Speaking - 20 | 93 with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening and Writing - 17, Reading - 18, Speaking – 20 & 5.0 Essay | 100 with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening -22; Writing - 24, Reading - 24, Speaking – 25 | 104 with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening -24; Writing - 26, Reading - 26, Speaking – 25 |
| Pearson PTE | 55 with minimum score of 51 in any component | 62 with minimum scores of 51 in each component | 65 with minimum scores of 57 in each component | 74 with minimum scores of 71 in each component |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | B grade overall, with at least Weak in all components | B grade overall .with at least Weak in all components | A grade overall, with at least Borderline in all components | |
| Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) | C grade overall, with at least Weak in all components | C grade overall, with at least Weak in all components | B grade overall, with at least Weak in all components | |
| Aberystwyth University Pre-sessional English report | 58% overall with minimum of 30% in each component | 63% overall with minimum of 30% in each component for most programmes (specified in offer letter for academic programme) | 68% overall with minimum of 40% in each component for most programmes (specified in offer letter for academic programme) | |
| TOEIC |
750 with the following minima: Listening 400; Reading 385; Speaking 160; Writing 150 |
810 with the following minima: Listening 400; Reading 385; Speaking 160; Writing 150 |
990 with the following minima: Listening 490; Reading 455; Speaking 180; Writing 180 |
|
| City & Guilds International ESOL Diploma (excludes spouse/partner test) | Pass or above at Expert level, with Pass in all components | Pass or above at Expert level, with Pass in all components | Pass or above at Mastery level, with Pass in all components | |
| Cambridge English: Business Preliminary (BECP) | Pass with Distinction with Exceptional for all components | Pass with Distinction with Exceptional for all components | Pass with Distinction with Exceptional for all components | |
| Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BECV) | Pass at Grade B with Borderline for all components | Pass at Grade B with Borderline for all components | Pass at Grade A with Exceptional for all components |
International English Centre at Aberystwyth University
This BALEAP accredited centre offers a wide range of English language training courses that may enable you to meet our entrance requirements before the start of your postgraduate studies.
International English Centre,
Tel: +44 (0)1970 622545; Fax: +44 (0)1970 622546, E-mail: tesol@aber.ac.uk
Evidence of your English Language Qualification
If your offer specifies that you need to provide evidence of an English Language qualification, independent evidence of the qualification is required. This can be provided either by the submitting the original certificate, or through securing verification of the qualification from the testing body.
If your offer specifies that an English Language qualification is required, then it is strongly recommended that unless you are studying at the International English Centre in Aberystwyth, it is not advisable to come to the UK without satisfying this requirement. If you choose to ignore this advice you will be directed to apply for an IELTS test in the International English Centre after arrival.
Alternative English Language Qualifications for Non-EEA Students
| Country & Qualification |
Masters in Management courses with the School of Management and Business MSc courses with the Department of Computer Science |
General entry requirement |
MA with English Literature and Creative Writing Geography and Earth Sciences International Politics Law and Criminology (PhD, MPhil and LLM by Research) Psychology Theatre, Film and Television Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana Cambridge Overseas School Certificate | Credit (3-6) or above | Credit (3-6) or above | Good (2) or above |
| Cambridge O Level | Grade C or above | Grade C or above | Grade C or above |
| Cameroon GCE O Level (British system) | Grade C or above | Grade C or above | Grade C or above |
| Caribbean Examination Council General Proficiency | Grade I & II | Grade I & II | Grade I & II |
| Hong Kong -CEE | Taken pre-2007 (syllabus B only) - C Taken post-2007 - 4 |
Taken pre-2007 (syllabus B only) - C Taken post-2007 - 4 |
Taken pre-2007 (syllabus B only) - C Taken post-2007 - 4 |
| Hong Kong Use of English AS level | C | C | B |
| INDIA Standard XII (awarded by CBSE, CISCE, West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra & Tamil Nadu boards) |
70% or above (from these boards when education has been completed in English Medium) |
75% or above (from these boards when education has been completed in English Medium) |
80% or above (from these boards when education has been completed in English Medium) |
| Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) | C | C | B |
| Malawi Sch Cert of Education | Credit (3-6)or above | Credit (3-6)or above | Good (2)or above |
| Malaysian SPM 1119 | C | C | B |
| Singapore Cambridge O Level | C | C | C |
| Singapore Integrated Programme | Successful completion of the programme to meet academic requirements for degree satisfies entry requirements for English language | Successful completion of the programme to meet academic requirements for degree satisfies entry requirements for English language | Successful completion of the programme to meet academic requirements for degree satisfies entry requirements for English language |
| South Africa National Senior Certificate | C / 5 | C / 5 | B / 6 |
| Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) |
C | C | B |
| Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) | Credit (3-6) or above | Credit (3-6) or above | Good (2) or above |
| UK A/S level English language | E | E | E |
| UK GCSE or O level English language | C | C | C |
| UK IGCSE English as a first language | C | C | C |
| UK - International Baccalaureate | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 in English B (Group 2)Please note Standard or Higher Level English A (Group 1) is not acceptable. Students who have studied English A should present an alternative, accepted (as outlined in this table), English Language qualification. | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 in English B (Group 2)Please note Standard or Higher Level English A (Group 1) is not acceptable. Students who have studied English A should present an alternative, accepted (as outlined in this table), English Language qualification. | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 in English B (Group 2)Please note Standard or Higher Level English A (Group 1) is not acceptable. Students who have studied English A should present an alternative, accepted (as outlined in this table), English Language qualification. |
| WAEC/NECO SSC or WASSC (for Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria & Sierra Leone) | Credit (4-6) or above | Credit (4-6) or above | Good (3) or above |
| Zambia Secondary School Certificate | Grade 6 or above | Grade 6 or above | Grade 4 or above |
Alternative English Language Qualifications for European Economic Area (EEA) Students
| Country & Qualification |
Masters in Management courses with the School of Management and Business MSc courses with the Department of Computer Science |
General entry requirement |
MA with English Literature and Creative Writing Geography and Earth Sciences International Politics Law and Criminology (PhD, MPhil and LLM by Research) Psychology Theatre, Film and Television Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| France: Baccalaureat General, Baccalaureat Technologique, Option International du Baccalaureat | 10/20 | 12/20 | 20/20 |
| Germany: Abitur |
12 (Gut) Unless taken as a Hauptfach / Leistungskurs, and a mark of 8 / gut has been obtained |
12 (Gut) Unless taken as a Hauptfach / Leistungskurs, and a mark of 9 / gut has been obtained |
13 (Gut) Unless taken as a Hauptfach / Leistungskurs, and a mark of 10 / gut has been obtained |
| Denmark: Studentereksamen | (i) Old system (pre-2008): at least 9 for English; (ii) New system (2008 onwards): at least 7 for English. |
(i) Old system (pre-2008): at least 10 for English; (ii) New system (2008 onwards): at least 8 for English. |
(i) Old system (pre-2008): at least 11 for English; (ii) New system (2008 onwards): at least 9 for English. |
| Norway: Vitnemal, videregaende opplaring | 5 in written and spoken English | 5 in written and spoken English | 5 in written and spoken English |
| Sweden: Slutbetyg fran Grundskola | VG | VG | VG |
| Switzerland: Maturita | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Poland: Matura | To include min 90% average in Eng written and oral at standard level or min 65% average in written or oral at extended level | To include min 95% average in Eng written and oral at standard level or min 70% average in written or oral at extended level | To include min 95% average in Eng written and oral at standard level or min 75% average in written or oral at extended level |
Is English your "Official Language"?
As the countries listed below teach through the medium of English and English is used widely for administrative purposes, it is expected that nationals from these countries would not be required to have an English Language qualification. They are thus exempt from from providing proof of both the UK Border Agency's requirements and the University's requirements for English language ability.
Countries Where English is an Official Language
| Antigua | Belize | Guyana | St Lucia |
| Australia | Canada | Jamaica | St Vincent & Grenadines |
| Bahamas | Dominica | New Zealand | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Barbados | Grenada | St Kitts & Nevis | USA |