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English language requirements

Students conversing in study group

As our programmes are taught and assessed in English, applicants must be able to prove their level of English language ability as part of the application process. This should be shown through one of the following means:

  1. You are from a majority English speaking country or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree from a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI). View UKVI Majority English speaking countries.
  2. You have successfully completed a University qualification we consider equivalent to a UK degree. The qualification was taught at an overseas campus of a university which is based in a country recognised by the UKVI as a majority English speaking country.
  3. You have passed one of the following English Language Tests at the levels indicated (we will need to verify the results of the test and as such you will need to upload your original certificate as part of the application process.
TestFoundation EntryUndergraduate EntryPGT (STEM and Design programmes)PGT (non-STEM programmes)
IELTS Academic (Including IELTS Academic Online)5.5 (with no band below 5.0)6.0 (with no band below 5.5)6.0 with no score lower than 5.56.0 with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum
PTE Academic44-4950-57 with 51 in each component55 (minimum 51)55 (minimum 51 for reading, listening and speaking with minimum 55 in writing)
TOEFL ibt7078 including reading 18, listening 17, speaking 19 and writing 2179 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21)79 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 23)
Cambridge (new)162-168169-175169 - 175169-175 with 175 in writing
Trinity ISE IINot applicablePass in all componentsPass in all componentsPass in all components
CEFRMid B1-B2B2B2Mid - High B2
Oxford ELLT5 with no score lower than 56 with no score lower than 56 with no score lower than 56 with writing at 6 and no score lower than 5

Please note:

  • The test should have been passed within two years of the enrolment date of the degree for which you are applying.
  • In relation to TOEFL iBT, we do accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition however we do not accept myBest or Superscore results and minimum scores must be achieved in one sitting.
  • We do not accept Duolingo.
  • In relation to IELTS Academic, we do accept IELTS Online and IELTS One Skill Retake however we do not accept the IELTS indicator or general training tests.
  • In relation to PTE Academic, we do not accept the online version of this test.
  • For Oxford ELLT, we will accept the Global and Digital versions of this test. Test takers who register through this link and use the promo code ‘HWU10’ will receive a 10% discount on the price.
  1. Successful completion of one of our Pre-Sessional English Language Programmes within 19 months of the enrolment date of the degree programme for which you are applying.
  2. Successful completion of another UK University Pre-Sessional English Language course, based within the UK and which has BALEAP accreditation. This course must have been completed within one year of the enrolment date of the degree programme for which you are applying. It is your responsibility to prove that the mark you have obtained is a pass and would enable you to continue your studies at the UK University at which the English programme was taught.
  3. Successful completion of a UK University Pre-masters qualification. This course must have been completed within one year of the enrolment date of the degree programme for which you are applying. It is your responsibility to prove that the mark you have obtained is a pass and would enable you to continue your studies at the UK University at which the pre-masters was taught.
  4. Successfully completion of school studies from one of the non-English speaking countries and have achieved the minimum grades in English in your School.
CountryQualificationMinimum English Language Grade
GlobalGCE A or AS level - EnglishC
GlobalGCE O level - EnglishC or 4
GlobalInternational BaccalaureateSL4 or HL4
FranceFrench Baccalaureate12
GhanaWAEC/WASSCEC6
NigeriaWAEC/WASSCEC6
IndiaStandard XII when awarded by - CBSE or CISCE exam boards only.65% CBSE ICE and 70% from approved state boards
GlobalEuropean Baccalaureate7
BotswanaBotswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE)6
GermanyArbitur Year 1212
KenyaKenya Certificate of Secondary EducationC
NorwayVitnemol (VVO)4
PakistanIntermediate Certificate/High School Certificate70%

Postgraduate

  1. You have successfully completed a degree from a nonnative English-speaking country but completed the studies in English language. It is the responsibility of the student to provide evidence that the medium of instruction was English throughout the studies.
  2. You have successfully completed a degree from a nonnative English-speaking country and completed the studies in a language other than English however you have been working in an English language environment, in these circumstances we will consider a letter from your employer confirming English is the language of the workplace.
  3. In this case, your employer must be a verifiable, international company or government agency, the letter must come from your employer’s HR department or line manager and the signatory of the letter must be contactable. You must have worked there for a minimum of 6 months.
  4. In relation to point (above), where proof of English may be inconclusive or when it is not possible to contact the signatory, the University, at its discretion, reserves the right to ask postgraduate applicants to take an in-house English test or other appropriate assessment to confirm English level.
  5. Where proof of English may be inconclusive or when it is not possible to verify the test results, the University, at its discretion, reserves the right to ask applicants to take an in-house English test or other appropriate assessment to confirm English level.

For more details on our English Language Requirements, please contact our Admission Office at: dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk