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 students who require a Student Visa 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 Common European Framework of Reference (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 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 

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

Each postgraduate course has an English language entry requirement, which all international students must meet. We ask that applicants demonstrate a specific International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test score, or equivalent.  

The university continues to accept the results of a wide range of internationally recognised tests, a range of alternative qualifications, passed at the required level, as evidence of English language proficiency.  

You are welcome to apply postgraduate study at Aberystwyth University before securing evidence of your current English language proficiency. If you do this, and the university decides to make you an offer for a place to study with us, then submitting evidence of your currently English proficiency will be a condition of the offer made to you. You will need to submit evidence to meet the English language condition of your offer before you can complete the admissions process.

COVID-19 Reponse - Online Tests Accepted for January 2021 and September 2021 entry

The University has recently confirmed that it will accept the results of the IELTS Indicator test, TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and LanguageCert ESOL tests, conducted online and passed at the required level, as evidence of English language proficiency. The advantages of these online tests is that you can take them from home, waiting lists are currently short, and you receive your results quickly.

Please note that the university will accept the results of the IELTS Indicator test, LanguageCert International ESOL tests and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test conducted online, passed at the required level, as satisfactory evidence of English language proficiency for those apply for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme commencing in January or September 2021 only. The University’s acceptance of results from these tests for courses commencing after September 2021 is yet to be confirmed and is subject to review.

Please note that Aberystwyth University does not accept the results of Duolingo tests for direct entry to postgraduate study. 

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

Test availability

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 

** COVID-19 RESPONSE - ONLINE TESTS **

 

Please Note: the University will accept results of IELTS Indicator, TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and LanguageCert International ESOL tests conducted online, and passed at the required level, as satisfactory evidence of English language proficiency for those applying for study commencing in January and September 2021 ONLY. 

IELTS Indicator

ONLINE TEST

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 Special Home Edition

School Code = 0226

ONLINE Test

 

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.  

LanguageCert International ESOL 

 

ONLINE Test

 

 Please ensure that you take the correct version of the LanguageCert International ESOL test – B2 Communicator or C1 Expert - to meet the English language entry requirement for your chosen postgraduate course.

High Pass in

LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (B2 Communicator)

AND

LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Speaking) (B2 Communicator)

 

 Pass in

LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (C1 Expert)

AND

LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Speaking)

(C1 Expert)
 

 High Pass in

LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Writing) (C1 Expert)

AND

LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Speaking)

(C1 Expert) 

Courses at Aberystwyth University's International English Centre

 

** Please note that as a result of the COVID-situation, the IEC is delivering all summer 2020 Pre-Sessional Courses via Distance Learning **

International English Centre (Aberystwyth University)
Pre-sessional Course report or Pre-Masters Course report

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

Alternative English Language Tests/Qualifications

TOEFL iBT

School Code = 0226

Test availability

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.  

 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

Test availability

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.

Country
Name of Test/Qualification
Computer Science
Physics
Mathematics

 

Management and Business
(MSc and MBA)
Art
Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
Education and Lifelong Learning
European Languages
Food and Water Security (MSc)
History and Welsh History
Information Studies
Law and Criminology (Taught LLM courses)
Management and Business
(PhD and MPhil)
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) 
Comparable IELTS level 
 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 & Creative Writing (Masters) 7.0 in each component

 7.5 with minimum 7.5 in each component
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 in English 75% or above in English 80% or above in English  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
(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 & Creative Writing (PhD) 

Requirement on
IELTS scale

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 & Creative Writing (Masters) 7.0 in each component

 7.5 with minimum 7.5 in each component

Denmark:
Studentereksamen 

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:
Baccalaureat General,
Baccalaureat Technologique,
Option International du Baccalaureat 

 10/20 12/20 20/20 IELTS 7.5

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 		 IELTS 7.5

Norway:
Vitnemal,
videregaende opplaring 

 5 in written and spoken English  5 in written and spoken English  5 in written and spoken English  IELTS 7.5

Poland:
Matura 

 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:
Slutbetyg fran Grundskola 

 VG  VG  IELTS 7.0 IELTS 7.5

Switzerland:
Maturita 

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