English language requirements

IELTS for UKVI is a UK Visa and Immigration approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). Below are the standard entry requirements, but some courses may require different overall and component scores. We accept the new IELTS One Skill Retake test. Please check the detailed information provided in the 'Entry requirements' section of each course page.

• Bachelor's degrees – 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each component
• Master's degrees – 6.5 overall with a minimum 6.0 in writing. Many of our courses have specific component scores. A minimum of 5.5 in all components is a requirement for anyone applying for a student visa for entry at degree level
• Research degrees (MPhil/PhD) – 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each component. Some research degrees require 7.0 overall. Please check the research pages

In addition to IELTS for UKVI, we also accept IELTS Academic and IELTS Online. Entry requirements are the same as IELTS UKVI score bands. IELTS is valid for 2 years.

We accept the TOEFL (IBT (In person test) for entry to our programmes. We also accept TOEFL ‘My Best Scores’where it relates to TOEFL iBT test results.

Please note we no longer accept the TOEFL Home Edition (Online test) for entry to our degree programmes. 

• Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and 5.5 in each component score) – 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in Listening, and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. Where 6.0 is required in component scores please see below
• Master's degrees and some Bachelor's degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each component score) – 88 overall with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. Where 6.5 is required in a component score please see below
• Degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall and 6.5 in each component score) – 92 overall with a minimum of 20 in Listening, 24 in Writing, 19 in Reading and 20 in Speaking

Please note we do not accept TOEFL ITP, TOEFL Essentials or TOEIC for entry to our full degree programmes. TOEFL is valid for 2 years.

PTE Academic UKVI is a UK Visa and Immigration approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken at selected test centres. Please note that we do not accept the PTE Online version of the test.

• Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall) – minimum 59 in each component
• Master's degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5 overall) – minimum 59 in each component
• Degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – 76 overall with minimum 59 in each component, or 76 where a component score of IELTS 7.0 is required

Please note that we are not able to accept scores across more than one PTE Academic test. Minimum component scores are set in line with UKVI student visa requirements. PTE is valid for 2 years.

• Bachelor's requiring IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component – B2 First (FCE), Grade C or above, or  C1 Advanced (CAE): 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component (as 5.5) or 169 where a 6.0 is required in a component score. Or;
• Master's degrees and some Bachelor's degrees requiring IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component score – C1 Advanced (CAE) Grade C or above: 176 overall with a minimum 169 in each component (or 176 where IELTS 6.5 is required in a component score)
• Degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – C1 Advanced 186 overall, or C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Cambridge English exam result/certificate is valid for 2 years. Please note that we do not accept Cambridge Linguaskill tests.

LanguageCert Academic and LanguageCert International ESOL SELT  (B2) are both UK Visa and Immigration approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) when taken in a secure test centre.  We recommend taking the LanguageCert Academic version as the ESOL SELT may be phased out over time.

LanguageCert Academic :

• Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall and minimum 5.5 in each component) – overall score of 65 with minimum 60 in each component score. 
• Master's degrees and some Bachelor's degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5 or above) – overall score of 70 with minimum 65 in each component score or 70 where IELTS 6.5 is required such as writing. 
• Degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – overall score of 75

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT:

Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall) – Successful Pass in B2 Communicator Test. Those requiring a student visa to study at degree level will need to achieve a minimum of 33 in each component score.

• Master's degrees and some Bachelor's degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5 or above) – High Pass overall in the B2 Communicator, with a minimum of 33 in each component score or 39 where a component score of 6.5 in IELTS is required. Please note that students taking C1 Level tests are also required to achieve minimum of 33 in all components to meet UKVI requirements. We therefore only advise students to take the C1 test where a course requires C1 level.
• Degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – C1 level Exam and achieve minimum 33 in all components.

LanguageCert tests are delivered in two parts, a written exam and a spoken exam. These exams must be taken within 14 days of each other to be accepted for admission. The test is valid for 2 years. PLEASE NOTE we no longer accept the LanguageCert International ESOL (non SELT) ONLINE  test for entry unless it is taken at an approved test centre.

Oxford International offers 2 tests: ELLT Digital (at home) and ELLT Global (at a test centre in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and UK).  We strongly recommend that students take the ELLT Global if available locally. Students can get their results in just 2 days.

Students applying to Westminster, or who hold an offer to study with us, can apply for a £25 discount on the regular test fee of £120 using discount code WES25 and purchase the test for £90.  ELLT are offering an additional special summer promotion, to receive a further 10% off the price, reducing the Oxford ELLT test fee to £78.00.

The discount is available for students that register through our bespoke partner link here applying the code: UK35. Sign up and apply the discount code at checkout.

• Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall) – overall grade 6 with 5 in each skill, or 6 where IELTS 6.0 is required in a component score
• Master's degrees and some Bachelor’s degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5 overall) – overall grade 7 with 5 In each skill (where 5.5 is required) or 6 in each skill (where 6.0 is required), or 7 in each skill (where 6.5 is required)
• Master's degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – overall grade 8 (C1) with 8 in each skill where 7.0 is required as a component score

OI Digital institute Mapping Diagram

Once you have completed the test, the result will be emailed to you directly, and you will need to forward the result to our admissions team who will verify them. 

OIETC ELLT is valid for 2 years.

PLEASE NOTE we no longer accept the PASSWORD Skills Plus or PASSWORD Solo test for general entry to our programmes. We will consider PASSWORD where it is offered in person at a nominated academic partner institution.

Entry requirements are accepted on the same grading basis as IELTS. Please note that we are NOT able to accept scores across more than one PASSWORD test.

Trinity is a UKVI approved SELT if taken in the UK. There are two exam modules - Reading & Writing and Speaking & Listening. For the SELT, both modules are taken on the same day at a UK Trinity SELT Centre. Candidates must pass both modules for an ISE qualification.

• Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall) – ISE II Pass with pass in all components or merit where IELTS 6.0 is required in a component score
• Master's degrees and some Bachelor’s degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5 overall) – ISE III with Pass in all components or ISE II with distinction in each component
• Master's degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – ISE III with Passes in all components

Please note that we are NOT able to accept scores across more than one Trinity test. Trinity is valid for 2 years.

Skills for English SELT is a UKVI-approved Secure English Language. The test can be taken outside the UK in over 125 countries worldwide.

• Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall) – Skills for English UKVI B2 (4SB2 4 component test) – achieve a Pass in all components, or Merit where IELTS 6.0 is required in a component score
• Master's degrees and some Bachelor's degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5) – Skills for English UKVI B2 (4SB2 4 component test) Pass with Merit in all components. Students needing to achieve 6.5 overall plus 6.5 in one of more individual components should take the 4SC1 Expert UKVI test and achieve a pass
• Master's degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – 4SC1 Expert UKVI test pass in all components

University of Westminster applicants can enjoy a discount of 10% on B1 or B2 tests and up to 33% on C1 tests.  The discount is applied after you click ‘Pay for test’ on your account screen.  Apply for your discounted Skills for English test.

Please note that we are NOT able to accept scores across more than one PSI Skills for English Test. Skills for English is valid for 2 years.

The Kaplan Test of English is an online English Language test from offered by Kaplan International that can be taken from home.

• Bachelor's (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall) – Minimum 444 overall (Main Flight) with all four components at 410 (444 where IELTS 6.0 is required in a component score)
• Master's degrees and some Bachelor's degrees (requiring IELTS 6.5 overall) – Minimum 478 overall (Main Flight) with all four components at 444 (478 where IELTS 6.5 is required in a component score)
• Master's degrees (requiring IELTS 7.0 overall) – Minimum 510 overall (Main Flight) with all four components at 478, or 510 where IELTS 7.0 is required in a component score

Please apply using the Westminster application link to take the Kaplan Test of English with a 25% discount.

Once you have completed the Kaplan Test of English, the result will be emailed to you directly. You must forward the result to our admissions team for verification.

Please note that we are NOT able to accept scores across more than one Kaplan Test of English. The Kaplan Test of English is valid for two years.

PLEASE NOTE we do not accept the Duolingo English Test for entry to our full degree programmes. 

Students applying for a Study Abroad, student exchange or International Summer School programme, and who do not require a student visa can contact the Education Abroad team for further information.

• Programmes  requiring IELTS 6.0 overall – 115 overall (no sub-score lower than 100, or 115 where IELTS 6.0 is required in a component*)
• Programmes requiring IELTS 6.5 overall – 125 overall (no sub-score lower than 115, or 125 where IELTS 6.5 is required in a component*)

*Please note that Duolingo component scores are assessed differently to many other English language tests. Where a Westminster course requires a specific component score this links to more than one area in the Duolingo test. For example, where a course requires Writing 6.5 IELTS, we will require applicants to obtain 125 in both the production and the literacy elements of their Duolingo test.

Reading = literacy and comprehension (Duolingo)
Writing = production and literacy (Duolingo)
Speaking = production and conversation (Duolingo)
Listening = comprehension (Duolingo)

We are NOT able to accept scores across more than one Duolingo test. Duolingo is valid for 2 years.

Please note that A level, AS Level, GCSE and Cambridge/ Edexcel O’Level qualifications do not have a time limit on their validity.

• Grade C or above in English Language or 4 in the GCSE 1–9 grading scale, or Grade B or GCSE Grade 6 where IELTS 7.0 is required
• Grade D or above in English Language or English Literature A LEVEL or AS Level, or Grade C where IELTS 7.0 is required

• Grade C or above in English Language (first language) or 4 in the 1–9 grading scale, or Grade B or 6 where IELTS 7.0 is required
• Grade B in English Language (second language) or 5 / 6 in the 1–9 grading scale (subject to course requirements), or Grade A or 7 where IELTS 7.0 is required

We do not accept iGCSE English Literature as proof of English language ability. Please note that the iGCSE in English Language (first language) has no expiry date. Where it is taken as a second language it is valid for 5 years only.

Undergraduate Bachelor's degrees:

• English A: Literature (SL grade 4 or HL grade 4)
• English A: Language & Literature and English B (SL grade 5 or HL grade 4)
• English Literature & Performance (SL grade 5)
• For courses requiring IELTS 7.0, applicants will need one grade higher

These qualifications are valid if taken within 5 years of the start date of an academic degree at the University of Westminster.

• IELTS 6.0 = 6 in the European Baccalaureate English component
• IELTS 6.5 = 6.5 in European Baccalaureate English component
• IELTS 7.0 – 7.0 in European Baccalaureate English component

This qualification is valid if taken within 5 years of the start date of an academic degree at the University of Westminster.

The University accepts the NCUK English for Academic Purposes Module as part of an NCUK qualification taught at a verified NCUK Study Centre or a UK based academic institution offering the module as part of a recognised university preparation course.

• Bachelor's degrees (requiring IELTS 6.0 overall) – 50-59% (Grade C) with minimum of 40-49% in each component (or 50 where IELTS 6.0 is required in an individual component score)
• Bachelor’s or Master's degrees (requiring 6.5) – 60-69% (Grade B) with minimum of 50-59% in each component (or 60 where IELTS 6.5 is required in an individual component score)

NCUK EAP is valid if taken within 5 years of the start date of an academic degree at the University of Westminster.

The University recognises many English Qualifications including the English Language component of most EU/EEA high school qualifications. Please visit the individual country pages for detailed information.

Please note we are not able to exempt students from our English language requirements on the basis of work experience in an English-speaking environment.

This list is not exhaustive and other qualifications may be considered at point of application. These qualifications are valid if awarded no more than 5 years before the start date of your academic degree at the University of Westminster, otherwise we will require additional evidence of language ability.

If you are a national of a UKVI recognised Majority English Speaking Country, you do not need to prove your English language ability for the purposes of applying for a Student Visa.

If you have studied an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher taught in one of the following countries (not including distance learning) you may be exempt:

• Antigua,  Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA and UK

Please note that no other country may be considered as being 'majority English speaking' for visa purposes. 

Other exemptions

We may also be able to exempt students who have studied in a Majority English Speaking Country for a minimum of one academic year and who have successfully passed:

• A qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree or higher (typically a ‘top up’ or final year of a bachelor’s degree)
• A qualification equivalent to Level 3 (Foundation or International Foundation) taught at another recognised higher education institution (typically in the UK).

This will be verified on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must have successfully completed one of the qualifications above no more than 5 years before the start of the course at Westminster.

If you have studied a degree level qualification taught in English, but not in one of the UKVI’s list of Majority English Speaking Countries (see Majority English-speaking Countries (MESC) above) then it may be possible to accept your qualification as evidence of your English language ability in the following circumstances:

• You hold an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree awarded by an institution based in a Majority English Speaking Country but where the qualification is delivered and taught outside that country (such as franchise or validated degree programmes - not including distance learning)
• You hold an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree or recognised high level qualification (NQF Level 6) from a recognised Higher Education Institution in; Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mauritius

For qualifications listed above, they must have been awarded no more than five years before the start of the course at the University of Westminster.