Our English language entry requirements are set at a level to ensure all students benefit fully from their studies and can communicate effectively with academic staff and students. To study at the Academy, you must be able to demonstrate an excellent level of spoken and written English. The tables below give guidance on the qualifications we accept as an entry requirement onto our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
If you are not a national of one of the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries, you must show evidence of a minimum level of English language proficiency. You can prove this in the following ways:
The qualifications and grades we accept are listed below. Your qualification must have been taken no more than two years before your course start date, and have been taken at a UKVI-approved centre. If you have taken an in-country qualification or A level, GCSE or IB English, this may not be required. This is assessed on an individual basis for short-term study visa students.
Qualification type | IELTS | PTE Academic | CAE/CPE | TOEFL iBT | LanguageCert International ESOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Postgraduate Diploma | 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in any component) | 61 overall with 61 in each subtest | 170 - 176 | 88 overall (with a minimum of 22 in R; 21 in L; 22 in W; 23 in S) | B2 Communicator IESOL (High Pass) |
Undergraduate Diploma | 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in any component) | 61 overall with 61 in each subtest | 170 - 176 | 88 overall (with a minimum of 22 in R; 21 in L; 22 in W; 23 in S) | B2 Communicator IESOL (High Pass) |
Key: R = reading; W = writing; S = speaking; L = listening
You cannot combine scores from more than one TOEFL test and you must arrange for TOEFL to forward a copy of your results direct to the Academy.
For more information:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency (CAE/CPE)
Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
A level, GCSE and IB qualifications
If you are studying on a recognised qualification in English at an international school and do not require a visa to study in the UK, we will consider the following qualifications:
Qualification | Level required |
|---|
Students with other qualifications
If you hold at least a level 3 or equivalent qualification in a majority English speaking country or a qualification taught entirely in the medium of English.
If you are a national of one of the countries below, you do not need to prove your English language ability for study visa purposes. You are also exempt if you have an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree from one of these countries. However, you must still meet our English language requirements.
UKVI English Speaking Countries | UKVI English Speaking Countries |
|---|
In-country qualifications
You may use one of the following English language qualifications in your visa application as proof of meeting the Level B2 requirement. This does not guarantee you will be exempt from taking a SELT. The Academy will conduct an assessment of your application and determine if an offer can be made.
Country | Qualification | Minimum grade requirements |
|---|
Applicants who require a short-term study visa
If you require a short-term study visa to study in the UK, you must also meet the English language requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). For degree-level entry, you must achieve at least Level B2 of CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) in all four language components. Full details are available on the UKVI website.
If you do not hold one of our listed English language qualifications, then a secure English language test (SELT) may be required. A SELT is a language qualification approved by UKVI for visa purposes.
If you have taken a degree taught entirely in the medium of English, an in-country qualification, or A Level, GCSE or IB English, we can assess your language proficiency for degree-level entry or above. We use our own entry requirements as above, which in most cases are higher than the B2 Level set by UKVI.
UK, EU and non-visa students
All students need an appropriate score in an approved English language examination. For UK students, this is usually a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English language or equivalent.
For EU and non-visa students, we accept the following qualifications:
Qualification | Level required |
|---|
Key: R = reading; W = writing; S = speaking; L = listening
These requirements are for guidance only. All applications are assessed individually and entry requirements can vary.
English exam preparation courses
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements, English exam preparation courses are available to prepare international students for study at the Academy. These develop your skills in academic reading, writing and critical thinking, listening to lectures, speaking in seminars and delivering presentations.
Approved English language qualifications
English language requirements