English Language Requirements
International and EU applicants will need to show evidence of a sufficient knowledge of English which must be provided before they will be formally accepted to commence their studies. 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.
Please note that our International English Centre runs several language courses that could help you achieve the English language requirement for your chosen postgraduate course. Please see their website (www.aber.ac.uk/en/international-english) or e-mail tesol@aber.ac.uk for further information.
All non-EEA students who require Tier 4 study visas must demonstrate that they are competent in the use of the English language and satisfy the University’s requirements as outlined on this page. 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 entry to the UK with a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
Note that test results are only valid for a maximum of two years.
Applicants that have been awarded a degree (i.e. Bachelors or Masters) from a majority English speaking Country (e.g UK) do not need to take an English proficiency test.
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 providing proof to meet the UK Visa and Immigrations requirements and the University's requirements for English language ability. Likewise, those who have gained a degree (be it a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD) from any of these countries are also exempt.
Countries Where English is an Official Language as recognised by the Home Office (correct October 2014)
|
Antigua & Barbuda |
Belize |
Guyana |
St Lucia |
|
Australia |
*Canada |
Jamaica |
St Vincent & the Grenadines |
|
Bahamas |
Dominica |
New Zealand |
Trinidad and Tobago |
|
Barbados |
Grenada |
St Kitts & Nevis |
USA |
*Canada is only considered to be majority English-speaking for Canadian nationals. If you are not Canadian, and you hold a degree from Canada, you will not be able to use it as evidence of your English language ability.
International English Centre at Aberystwyth University
We are fortunate at Aberystwyth University to have a British Council accredited centre which 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.
Please visit the International English Centre for details or contact them by email, fax or telephone:
Tel: +44 (0)1970 622545; Fax: +44 (0)1970 622546, E-mail: tesol@aber.ac.uk
Non-Country specific English proficiency tests
The majority of applicants provide us with evidence of IELTS or TOEFL results as proof of English proficiency but we are also recognised other suitable qualifications. Below is a list of the required results by Department. These tests comprise of SELTs* and tests where Aberystwyth University will make its own assessment.
*SELTs are Secure English Language Tests which are recognised by UK Visas & Immigration for both language and academic courses. As a High Trusted Sponsor Aberystwyth University can make its own assessment of other tests for degree level courses and above (at least NQF level 6). These are listed below. Only the Trinity Integrated Skills in English and selected IELTS test centres that are in the IELTS SELT Consortium are considered as SELT tests but these are only essential for language courses.
| Name of Test |
Computer Science
Physics
Mathematics
Management and Business (MSc and MBA) |
Art
Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
Education and Lifelong Learning
History and Welsh History
Information Studies
Law and Criminology (Taught LLM courses)
Management and Business (PhD and MPhil)
Modern Languages
Welsh |
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 Please provide your TRF number |
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 * English and Creative Writing (Masters) 7.0 in each component |
7.5 with minimum 7.5 in each component |
|
TOEFL ibt School Code = 0226 |
88 with minimum component scores: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17. |
93 with minimum component scores: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17. |
100 with minimum component scores: Reading 24, Listening 22, Speaking 25, Writing 24.
|
105 with minimum component scores: Reading 25, Listening 25, Speaking 25, Writing 25. |
|
International English Centre (Aberystwyth University) |
50% Pass overall with minimum of 40% in each component | 60% Merit overall with minimum of 40% in each component |
70% Distinction overall with minimum of 50% in each component English & Creative Writing (Masters): 70% in each component |
80% Distinction overall with minimum of 80% in each component |
|
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) Please provide your Candidate ID Number and Secret Number |
C with a minimum score of 162 in each component | C with a minimum score of 162 in each component |
C with a minimum score of 169 in each component English & Creative Writing (Masters): 180 in each component |
B with a minimum score of 191 in each component |
|
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) Please provide your Candidiate ID Number and Secret Number |
C with a minimum score of 162 in each component | C with a minimum score of 162 in each component |
C with a minimum score of 169 in each component English & Creative Writing (Masters): 180 in each component |
C with a minimum score of 191 in each component |
|
Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) Please provide your Candidate ID Number and Secret Number |
B with a minimum score of 162 in each component | A with a minimum score of 162 in each component | Take CAE, CPE or IELTS (7.0) | Take CAE, CPE or IELTS (7.5) |
|
Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher) Please provide your Candidate ID Number and Secret Number |
C with a minimum score of 162 in each component |
C with a minimum score of 162 in each component |
C with a minimum score of 169 in each component |
C with a minimum score of 191 in each component |
|
Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC Vantage) Please provide your Candidate ID Number and Secret Number |
C with a minimum score of 162 in each component |
B with a minimum score of 162 in each component |
A with a minimum score of 169 in each component |
A with a minimum score of 191 in each component |
|
Trinity Integrated Skills Test |
ISEII - Pass all components | ISEIII - Pass all components | ISEIII - Pass all components | ISEIV - Pass all components |
|
Pearson PTE Academic Ensure to assign your score report to Aberystwyth University |
55 with minimum scores of 51 in each component | 62 with minimum scores of 51 in each component | 68 with minimum scores of 65 in each component | 75 with minimum scores of 73 in each component |
|
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 | IELTS 7.5 instead |
| IGCSE | C | C | C | B |
| UK A/S level English language | E | E | D | C |
|
UK GCSE or O level English language |
C | C | C | B |
| 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 test as proof of English proficiency. |
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 test as proof of English proficiency. |
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 test as proof of English proficiency. |
Take IELTS 7.5 instead |
Alternative English Language Qualifications for Non-EEA applicants (International applicants)
These qualifications are used as part of the University's own assessment of English Language ability. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their qualification.
CountryName of Test/Qualification |
Computer SciencePhysicsMathematics
Management and Business |
ArtBiological, Environmental and Rural SciencesComputer Science (Research only)Education and Lifelong LearningEuropean LanguagesFood and Water Security (MSc)History and Welsh HistoryInformation StudiesLaw and Criminology (Taught LLM courses)Management and Business
|
English Literature and Creative Writing (Masters)*Geography and Earth SciencesInternational Politics exc Food and Water Security (MSc)Law and Criminology (PhD, MPhil and LLM by Research)PsychologyTheatre, Film and Television Studies |
English and Creative Writing (PhD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Comparable IELTS level |
6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 |
Botswana Cambridge Overseas School Certificate |
Credit (3-6) or above | Credit (3-6) or above | Good (2) or above | IELTS 7.5 |
Cambridge O Level |
Grade C or above | Grade C or above | Grade C or above | Grade B or above |
Cameroon GCE O Level (British system) |
Grade C or above | Grade C or above | Grade C or above | Grade B or above |
Caribbean Examination Council General Proficiency |
Grade I & II | Grade I & II | Grade I & II | Grade I & II |
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) |
Level 4 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 5* |
Hong Kong Use of English AS level |
C | C | B | A |
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) | IELTS 7.5 |
Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) |
C | C | B | A |
Malawi School Certificate of Education |
Credit (3-6) or above | Credit (3-6) or above | Good (2) or above | IELTS 7.5 |
Malaysian SPM 1119 / Cambridge O Level English Language (1119)
|
C | C | B | A |
Singapore Cambridge O Level |
C | C | B | A |
South Africa National Senior Certificate |
C/5 | C/5 | B/6 | A/7 |
Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) |
C | C | B | A |
Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) |
Credit (3-6) or above | Credit (3-6) or above | Good (2) or above | IELTS 7.5 |
WAEC/NECO SSC or WASSC(Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria & Sierra Leone) |
Credit (4-6) or above | Credit (4-6) or above | Good (3) or above | IELTS 7.5 |
WAEC Senior Secondary School Certificate(Ghana) |
Grade C6 or above | Grade C6 or above | Grade B3 or above | Grade A1 |
West African Senior School Certificate Examination(Ghana) |
Grade D or above | Grade D or above | Grade C or above | Grade B or above |
Zambia Secondary School Certificate |
Grade 6 or above | Grade 6 or above | Grade 4 or above | IELTS 7.5 |
Alternative English Language Qualifications for European Economic Area (EEA) applicants
These qualifications are used as part of the University's own assessment of English language ability.
|
Country Name of Test/Qualification |
Computer Science Physics Mathematics Management and Business |
Art Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences Education and Lifelong Learning Food and Water Security (MSc) History and Welsh History Information Studies Law and Criminology (Taught LLM courses) Management and Business Modern Languages Welsh |
English Literature and Creative Writing (Masters) Geography and Earth Sciences International Politics exc Food and Water Security (MSc) Law and Criminology (PhD, MPhil and LLM by Research) Psychology Theatre, Film and Television Studies |
English & Creative Writing (PhD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Requirement on |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
|
Denmark: |
Old system (pre-2008) at least 9 for English New system (2008 onwards) at least 7 for English. |
Old system (pre-2008) at least 10 for English New system (2008 onwards) at least 8 for English. |
Old system (pre-2008): at least 11 for English New system (2008 onwards): at least 9 for English. |
IELTS 7.5 |
|
France: |
10/20 | 12/20 | 20/20 | IELTS 7.5 |
|
Germany: |
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 |
IELTS 7.5 |
|
Norway: |
5 in written and spoken English | 5 in written and spoken English | 5 in written and spoken English | IELTS 7.5 |
|
Poland: |
To include min 90% average in English written and oral at standard level or min 65% average in written or oral at extended level | To include min 95% average in English written and oral at standard level or min 70% average in written or oral at extended level | To include min 95% average in English written and oral at standard level or min 75% average in written or oral at extended level | IELTS 7.5 |
|
Sweden: |
VG | VG | IELTS 7.0 | IELTS 7.5 |
|
Switzerland: |
4/genugend/suffisant/sufficiente or better (for a marking scale from 1 to 6 (max.)) 3/genugend/suffisant/sufficiente or better (for a marking scale from 5 to 1 (max.)) |
4/genugend/suffisant/sufficiente or better (for a marking scale from 1 to 6 (max.)) 3/genugend/suffisant/sufficiente or better (for a marking scale from 5 to 1 (max.)) |
IELTS 7.0 | IELTS 7.5 |