English language requirements

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 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).

English Language Test requirements
Test Foundation Entry Undergraduate Entry Postgraduate Entry
IELTS Academic 5.5 (with no band below 5.0) 6.0 (with no band below 5.5) 6.5 (with no band below 6.0)
PTE Academic 44-49 50-57 with 51 in each component 60 overall with a minimum of 58 in each component 
TOEFL ibt 70 78 including reading 18, listening 17, speaking 19 and writing 21

Overall score of 90 including reading 20, listening 19, speaking 21 and writing 23

Cambridge (new) 162-168 169-175 176-184
Trinity ISE II   Pass in all components Pass in all components

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 not accept myBest or Superscore results
  • Where tests include individual element scores, minimum scores must be achieved in one sitting
  • We do not accept Duolingo

Undergraduate

  • You are from a majority English speaking country or have completed a qualification equivalent to UK from a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI). View UKVI Majority English speaking countries.
  • Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Overseas Territories, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA
  • You are a national of Canada.
  • Successfully completion of school studies from one of the non-English speaking countries and have achieved the minimum grades in English in your School.
Country Qualification Minimum English Language Grade
Global GCE A or AS level - English C
Global GCE O level - English C or 4
Global International Baccalaureate SL4 or HL4
France French Baccalaureate 12
Ghana WAEC/WASSCE C6
Nigeria WAEC/WASSCE C6
India Standard XII when awarded by - CBSE or CISCE exam boards only. 65% CBSE ICE and 70% from approved state boards
Global European Baccalaureate 7
Botswana Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) 6
Germany Arbitur Year 12 12
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education C
Norway Vitnemol (VVO) 4
Pakistan Intermediate Certificate/High School Certificate 70%

The test should have been passed within two years of the enrolment date of the degree for which you are applying.

Postgraduate

  • 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.
  • Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Overseas Territories, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA
  • You are a national of Canada.
  • You have successfully completed a degree from a UK University where all study has taken place in the UK or at an overseas campus in a non-majority English speaking country as defined by the UKVI (listed above), then we will consider this on a case-by-case basis. Our decision will be made on a variety of factors including length of study, level of study, subject relevance, nature of degree and time since completion (no longer than two academic years).
  • Successful completion of one of a Pre-Sessional English Language Programmes within one year and one month of the enrolment date of the degree programme for which you are applying.
  • Successful completion of another UK University Pre-Sessional English Language course, within one year based within the UK and which has BALEAP accreditation. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • You have successfully completed a degree from a nonnative English-speaking country and completed the studies completely in a language other than English however you have been working in an English language environment for more than 2 years. In these circumstances we will consider a letter from your employer confirming English is the language of the workplace. 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.
  • 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.

2. 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