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 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. The qualification must have been completed within the last two academic years.
2. You have successfully completed a degree from a UK University within the last two academic years 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, 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).
3. You have passed one of the following English Language Tests within the last 2 years 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 (passed within last two years of enrolment date) Accelerator |
Foundation (One-Year) | Foundation (Four-Year) | Undergraduate (Direct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.0 with no score lower than 4.5 | 5.5 with no score lower than 5.5 | 6.0 with no score lower than 5.5 |
| PTE Academic | 55 (minimum 50) | 60 (minimum 59) | 65 (min 59) |
| TOEFL iBT | Not accepted /SELT required |
72 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17) | 79 (including reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20, and writing 21) |
| Cambridge (new) | Not accepted /SELT required |
Not applicable | 169-175 |
| Trinity ISE II | Not applicable | Not applicable | Pass in all components |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | B2: minimum of 25 in each of the 4 components | B2: minimum of 28 in each of the 4 components | B2: minimum of 33 in each of the 4 components |
| CEFR | mid B1 - B2 | B2 | mid-B2 |
| SELT Required? | Yes | No | No |
| Test (passed within last two years of enrolment date) Accelerator |
Pre-Masters | Pre-Masters (Accelerated) | Postgraduate (Direct) | Interpreting/ Translating Programmes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 with no score lower than 5.5 | 6.0 with no score lower than 5.5 | 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 | 7 with no score lower than 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 60 (minimum 59) | 65 (min 59) | 68 (min 63) | 73 (min 67) |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 (R18, L17, S20, W17) | 79 (including reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20, and writing 21) | 85 (including reading 20, listening 19, speaking 20 and writing 21) | 90 (including reading 22, listening 21, speaking 23 and writing 23) |
| Cambridge (new) | Not Applicable | 169-175 | 176-184 | Not applicable |
| Trinity ISE II | Not applicable | Pass in all components | Pass in all components | Not applicable |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | B2: minimum of 28 in each of the 4 components | B2: minimum of 33 in each of the 4 components | B2: minimum of 36 in each of the 4 components | C1: minimum of 25 in each of the 4 components |
| CEFR | B2 | B2 | mid - high B2 | high B2/low C1 |
| SELT Required? | No | No | No | No |
Notes:
- There are some exceptions, such as for our Translating and Interpreting programmes, which require higher level equivalent to an IELTS of 6.5 for undergraduate programmes and 7.0 for postgraduate programmes. Our Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics programmes require higher level equivalent to an IELTS of 6.5 for undergraduate programmes.
- 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.
- In relation to IELTS Academic, we do not accept the IELTS indicator, general training or online.
- In relation to PTE Academic, we do not accept the online version of this test.
4. Successful completion of one of our Pre-Sessional English Language Programmes within one year and one month of the enrolment date of the degree programme for which you are applying.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Successful completion of one of the following School level English Language qualifications within 5 years of the enrolment date for your proposed degree programme with us.
| 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 |
| Global | European Baccalaureate | 7 |
| Botswana | Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) | 6 |
| France | French Baccalaureate | 12 |
| Germany | Arbitur Year 12 | 12 |
| Ghana | WAEC/WASSCE/NECO | C6 |
|
India |
Standard XII when awarded by - CBSE or CISCE exam boards only | 70% |
| Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | C |
| Nigeria | WAEC/WASSCE | C6 |
| Norway | Vitnemol (VVO) | 4 |
| Pakistan | Intermediate Certificate/High School Certificate | 75% |
8.
For all postgraduate students:
If you have met the above school-level English Language qualifications more than 6 but less than 10 years ago, and graduated from your undergraduate degree within last 2 academic years of your proposed Heriot-Watt enrolment date, we will accept an official letter from your undergraduate university stating that the language of study and assessment for your degree was English.
If you graduated from your undergraduate degree more than 2 academic years ago, in exceptional 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.
For postgraduate students from Ghana:
There is no time limit to the WAEC/WASSE qualification. If your undergraduate degree was taught at a recognised Ghanaian university within the last 5 years, then your transcript and degree certificate will be sufficient. If you graduated over 5 years ago, then we would require an approved employer letter (see below for details) or an IELTS or equivalent.
For postgraduate students from India:
If you met the Grade XII criteria within the last 10 years, and you graduated with an undergraduate degree which was taught and assessed in English at a recognised Indian university within the last 5 years, then please provide a Medium of Instruction letter from your university unless this is clearly stated on your transcript and degree certificate. If you completed your Grade XII qualification within the last 10 years and graduated from your university over 5 years ago, then we would require an approved employer letter (see below for details) or an IELTS or equivalent. If you met the Grade XII criteria over 10 years ago, then we will require an IELTS or equivalent.
For postgraduate students from Nigeria:
There is no time limit to the WAEC/WASSE or NECO qualification. If your undergraduate degree was taught at a recognised Nigerian university within the last 5 years, then your transcript and degree certificate will be sufficient. If you graduated over 5 years ago, then we require an approved employer letter (see below for details) or an IELTS or equivalent.
9. In relation to point 8, 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. Any in-house will only be administered in exceptional circumstances and not at the request of applicants and should not be considered as a replacement for the tests detailed in point 3.
10. The University has the right to call students for a pre-CAS interview at its discretion.