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).
| 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