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.
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 |
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 and Creative Writing (PhD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS Test availability |
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: Listening 17, Writing 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20. |
93 with minimum component scores: Listening 17, Writing 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20. |
100 with minimum component scores: Listening 22, Writing 24, Reading 24, Speaking 25.
|
105 with minimum component scores: Listening 25, Writing 25, Reading 25, Speaking 25. |
|
International English Centre (Aberystwyth University) Pre-sessional English report & Pre-Masters English 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 |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | 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) | 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) | 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) |
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) |
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 |
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.
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.