Guide to English Language Qualifications
If your first language is not English, you will need to prove you meet the minimum
English language requirements before you are accepted onto an academic course in the UK. In addition,
for non EU citizens, there are minimum English requirements if you want to study in the UK for
more than 6 months. This list of frequently asked questions reviews the English qualifications that are most widely
accepted by UK academic institutions and helps you decide what level of English you will need to attain
for your chosen course.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is English proficiency measured?
Proficiency is measured using the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).
The CEFR grades proficiency on a six point scale from A1 (elementary) to C2 (mastery). To meet the entry requirements
for a course, you will need to demonstrate you hold a qualification at the CEFR level required for the course.
Which English language qualifications are most widely accepted?
The most widely accepted English qualifications are IELS, Cambridge ESOL, TOEFL and TOEIC.
You may also be able to demonstrate you meet the requirements of a course if you hold an academic
qualification that requires proficiency in English (e.g. iGCSE in English or a humanities subject).
Tell me more about the IELTS examination
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test is perhaps the most widely
recognised qualification for entry to UK academic institutions. There is an emphasis on English for
academic purposes, which gives students the skills they need to follow a course delivered in the language.
It is also widely recognised by academic institutions,
governments and employers globally. The test is scored on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0 and can be taken every month at centres
around the world.
Tell me more about the Cambridge ESOL examinations
Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) provides English qualifications that are
also recognised by employers, universities and government bodies around the world. The emphasis is on learning everyday
English for use in both work and study, so these tests are particularly useful for students who want to learn English for
career purposes. There are five certificates: Key English Test (KET), Preliminary English Test (PET), First Certificate
in English (FCE), Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).
What level of English will I need for my studies?
The level of English required will depend on the academic level of your course and on the type of course and institution.
However, as a broad generalisation, you will need to be at CEFR B2 for pre-university courses (e.g. A Levels,
university foundation courses), CEFR C1 for undergraduate courses and CEFR C1 or C2 for postgraduate degrees. Technology based
courses (e.g. computing) often have lower requirements, while linguistically demanding courses (e.g. law, English
literature) have higher standards.
How do different test scores compare with each other?
The table below shows a comparison between test scores and CEFR levels.
Information is taken from the UK Border Agency list of approved English language tests.
| CEFR |
IELTS
(Academic) |
Cambridge
ESOL |
TOEFL iBT
(R/L/S/W)* |
Pearson
PTE |
| C2 |
8.5 - 9.0 |
CPE or CAE(A) |
28+/26+/28+/28+ |
85+ |
| C1 |
7.0 - 8.0 |
CAE or FCE(A) |
28/26/28/28 |
76+ |
| B2 |
5.5 - 6.5 |
FCE |
22/21/23/21 |
59+ |
| B1 |
4.0 - 5.0 |
PET |
8/13/19/17 |
43+ |
|
* R/L/S/W = Reading / Listening / Speaking / Writing
|
What level of English will I need to enter the UK?
If you are not a citizen of the European Union
(or Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein) and you intend to study for more than 11 months, you will need
to demonstrate a proficiency of at least level B1 on the CEFR. You may need to pass a secure English test before
you apply for your student visa. For more information, please see our
faq on secure English language tests.
Where can I get further information?
If you are not sure whether your level of English is sufficient for the course you want to study,
then you can get help from your student advisor at click-courses.com. We also list a range of English courses you
can take in the UK if you need to improve your English (see course finder).