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International students

English Language Entry Requirements

Last updated: 29 February 2024

To meet University of Gloucestershire’s English language entry requirements, international students will need to have achieved one of the qualifications listed below. All qualifications accepted are assessed based on their equivalence to the UKVI IELTS (Academic) Test. For more information, please read the University of Gloucestershire ‘English Language Policy’.

One of the options below is University of Gloucestershire Pre-sessional English Test. Find out how to apply.

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

The UK Home Office publish a list of SELTs that can be used to support a Student Route visa application. This list is as follows:
– UKVI IELTS (Academic) – IELTS Consortium
– Integrated Skills in English (ISE) – Trinity College London 
– LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
– Skills for English UKVI – PSI Services

These SELTs have been assessed as acceptable for entry to UoG courses as follows:

UKVI IELTS (Academic)

Undergraduate ExceptionsUndergraduate ExceptionsUndergraduate ExceptionsUndergraduate Exceptions
CourseMost bachelor degree courses (Level 4, 5 & 6 entry)
BSc (Hons) Social Work
BSc Operating Department Practice
BSc Diagnostic Radiography
BSc Physiotherapy
BSc Occupational Therapy
BSc Healthcare Science
BSc Paramedic Science
Nursing (all programmes)BSc Journalism & Sports Journalism
English level requiredIELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any bandIELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any component

IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any other component

IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any componentIELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 7.5 in writing and no less than 7.0 in any other component
Postgraduate TaughtExceptions: Postgraduate Taught Exceptions: Postgraduate Taught Exceptions: Postgraduate Taught Exceptions: Postgraduate Taught Postgraduate Research
CourseMost postgraduate degree coursesMA Communications, Media & PRMSc Human Resource ManagementMA Social WorkMSc PhysiotherapyAll postgraduate research programmes, including DBA and PhD programmes
English level requiredIELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any componentIELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any other component
IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in writingIELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any componentIELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any componentIELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in any other component

Integrated Skills in English (ISE)

Qualification / TestExamination
Board
Validity PeriodGrade/Score for IELTS 5.5 equivalentGrade/Score for IELTS 6.0
equivalent
Grade/Score for IELTS 6.5
equivalent
Grade/Score for IELTS 7.0
equivalent
ISETrinity College London2 years before course start dateISE II with a pass in each componentISE II with Distinction in all four componentsISE III with Pass in
all four
components
ISE III with Merit in
all four components

LanguageCert

Qualification / TestExamination BoardValidity PeriodGrade/Score for IELTS 5.5 equivalentGrade/Score for IELTS 6.0 equivalentGrade/Score for IELTS 6.5 equivalentGrade/Score for IELTS 7.0 equivalent
LanguageCert SELTLanguageCert2 years before course start dateB2 Communicator with minimum 33 score for each componentB2 Communicator with minimum 33 score for each componentB2 Communicator with minimum 38 score for each componentC1 Expert with minimum 33 score for each component

PSI Skills for English

Qualification / TestExamination BoardValidity PeriodGrade/Score for IELTS 5.5 equivalentGrade/Score for IELTS 6.0 equivalentGrade/Score for IELTS 6.5 equivalentGrade/Score for IELTS 7.0 equivalent
Skills for English – UKVI – Student Visa TestPSI Services2 years before course start dateB2 degree level
Pass all skills
B2 degree level
Pass all skills
N/AN/A

Accepted Alternative English Language Qualifications

IELTS Academic test (non-UKVI) (and IELTS Indicator online test)

Undergraduate ExceptionsUndergraduate ExceptionsUndergraduate ExceptionsUndergraduate Exceptions
Course levelMost bachelor degree courses (Level 4, 5 & 6 entry)BA (Hons) Paramedic Science

BSc (Hons) Social Work
BA (Hons) Nursing (Adult)

BA (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)
BSc Journalism & Sports JournalismBSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Bachelor Degree CoursesIELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any bandIELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any componentIELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in writing and no less than 7.0 in any other component

Occupational English Test
(OET) also accepted with
grade B in each section
IELTS 7.0 overall with no
less than 7.5 in writing
and no less than 7.0 in
any other component
IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each component
Course LevelPostgraduate Taught coursesExceptions: Postgraduate Taught coursesPostgraduate Research courses
Postgraduate CoursesIELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any componentMA Communications, Media & PR IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6 in any other component

MSc Human Resource Management IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in writing

MA Social Work IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any component
IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in any other component

UK qualifications

QualificationExamination BoardValidity PeriodGrade/Score for
IELTS 5.5
equivalent
Grade/Score for
IELTS
6.0
equivalent
Grade/Score for
IELTS 6.5
equivalent
Grade/Score for
IELTS 7.0
equivalent
A Level English
Language
All UK examination Boards10 years before course start dateCCCC
A Levels
(minimum x2) +
UoG English
Assessment
All UK examination Boards10 years before
course start date
CCCC
Bellerby’s
Academic
English Skills
(AES)
Bellerby’s College10 years before
course start date
Pass of 50%Pass of 50%Pass of 50%Pass of 50%
Cambridge
Advanced
English (CAE)
CAE Pre-2015
CAE Post-2015
Cambridge
English Language
Assessment
10 years before
course start date



C
162



C
169



C
176



B
185
Cambridge
English
Proficiency (CPE)
CPE Pre-2015
CPE Post-2015
Cambridge
English Language
Assessment
10 years before
course start date



C
32



C
37



C
42



C
49
Cambridge First
Certificate in
English
Cambridge
English Language
Assessment
3 years before
course start date
CCCC
Cambridge GCSE as a second languageCambridge English Language Assessment10 years before course start dateCCCC
City and Guilds
ESOL Skills for
Life Level 2
Cambridge
English Language
Assessment
10 years before
course start date
‘Pass’ required in
each subskill.
For Speaking &
Listening: ‘Borderline’
required
PassPassPass
GCSEAll UK
examination
Boards
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
IELA (INTO
English Language
Assessment)
Cambridge
English
3 years before
course start date
5.5 (B2)
equivalent
IELA 6.0
equivalent
IELA 6.5
equivalent
IELA 7.0
equivalent
O Level English
Language 1115,
1119, 1120,
1123, 1125,
1126, 1127
All UK
examination
Boards
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
UoG Presessional
English Test
UoG3 years before
course start date
5.5 (B2)
equivalent
6.0 Equivalent6.5 Equivalent7.0 Equivalent
UoG English
Language
Assessment
UoG2 years5.5 (B2)
equivalent
6.0 Equivalent6.5 Equivalent7.0 Equivalent

International qualifications

QualificationExamination BoardValidity PeriodGrade/Score for
IELTS 5.5
equivalent
Grade/Score for
IELTS 6.0
equivalent
Grade/Score for
IELTS 6.5
equivalent
Grade/Score for
IELTS 7.0
equivalent
APTISBritish Council3 years before
course start date
Minimum of:
Reading – 40
Writing – 42
Speaking – 42
Listening – 32
Minimum of:
Reading – 40
Writing – 42
Speaking – 42
Listening – 32
Minimum of:
Reading – 40
Writing – 42
Speaking – 42
Listening – 32
Minimum of:
Reading – 40
Writing – 42
Speaking – 42
Listening – 32
Botswana BGCSEBotswana Examinations
council
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
Caribbean Secondary
Education
Certificate English
Caribbean Examinations
council
10 years before
course start date
Pre 1998: 2


Post 1998: 3
2


3
2


3
2


3
Cameroon
General Certificate
of Education
Ordinary Level
Cameroon
General
Certificate of
Education
Board
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
Canada
High School
Diploma Grade 11
(Anglophone
schools)
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
70% / C70% / C70% / C70% / C
Canada
High School
Diploma Grade 12
(Anglophone
schools)
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
70% / C 70% / C 70% / C 70% / C
EACE
(East African
Certificate of
Education)
East African
Examination
Council
10 years before
course start date
Grade 6Grade 6Grade 6Grade 6
HKALE (Hong Kong
Advanced Level
Examination –
Advanced Level)
(awarded up to and
incl. 2013)
Hong Kong
Examinations
and
Assessment
Authority
10 years before
course start date
Grade DGrade CGrade CGrade B
HKCEE
(Hong Kong
Certificate of
Education)
Hong Kong
Examinations
and
Assessment
Authority
10 years before
course start date
Pre 2007: D



Post 2007: 2
C



3
C



3
B



3
HKDSE (Hong Kong
Diploma of
Secondary
Education)
Hong Kong
Examinations
and
Assessment
Authority
10 years before
course start date
HKDSE English
(Core) Level 4
overall (no less
than Level 4 in
any sub-section)
HKDSE English
(Core) Level 4
overall (no less
than Level 4 in
any sub-section)
HKDSE English
(Core) Level 5
overall (no less
than Level 4 in
any sub-section)
HKDSE English
(Core) Level 5*
overall (no less
than Level 4 in
any sub-section)
India
Indian School
Certificate (Class-XII)
From specific exam boards: CISCE, CBSE, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal OR Completion of a recognised foundation course.5 years before
course start date
70%70%70%70%
International
General Certificate
of Secondary
Education (IGCSE)
0500 & 0522
(English 1st
language)
Cambridge
International
Examinations
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
International
Baccalaureate
International
Baccalaureate
10 years before
course start date
Grade 5Grade 5Grade 5Grade 5
Kenya
KCSE
East African
Examination
Council
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
Malaysia
SPM English (1119
/ O level paper
only) – Pre 2021 
Malaysian
Examinations
Syndicate
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
Malaysia
SPM English (CEFR) – SPM 2021 onward
Malaysian Examination Council 10 years before
course start date 
B2B2B2B2
Malaysia University
English Test
(MUET)
Malaysian
Examination
Council
10 years before
course start date
Grade 3

140-179
Grade 4

180-219
Grade 4

180-219
Grade 5

220-259
NECOWest African
Exams Council
10 years before
course start date
CCCC
Pearson PTE
Academic (and UKVI)
Pearson2 years before
course start date
59647076
Sri Lanka
GCE O level English Language
Sri Lanka Department of Examinations10 years before
course start date
CCCC
South African
National Senior
Certificate (NSC)
UMALUSI
Council
10 years before
course start date
Standard grade C
Higher grade E
Standard grade C
Higher grade E
Standard grade C
Higher grade E
Standard grade C
Higher grade E
TOEFL IBT and
TOEFL Home
ETS2 years before
course start date
Reading – 18
Writing -17
Listening – 17
Speaking – 20
Total – 72
Reading – 20
Writing -19
Listening – 19
Speaking – 22
Total – 80
Reading – 22
Writing -24
Listening – 21
Speaking – 23
Total – 88
Reading – 24
Writing -24
Listening – 22
Speaking – 25
Total – 95
UCE
(Uganda)
Uganda
National
Examinations
Board
10 years before
course start date
Grades 6Grades 6Grades 5Grades 3
US High School
Grade 12
N/A10 years before
course start date
Minimum 70% / C Minimum 70% / C Minimum 70% / C Minimum 70% / C
US High School Honours or AP English ClassCollegeBoard / Individual schools10 years before course start dateMinimum 68% / C Minimum 68% / C Minimum 68% / C Minimum 68% / C
WAECWest African
Exams Counci
10 years before
course start date
C6 in EnglishC6 in EnglishC6 in EnglishC4 in English
WIN Education Thailand Pre-SessionalWIN Education Thailand2 years before
course start date
55-59%60-64%65-69%70%
Zambian General
Certificate of
Education
Examinations
Council of
Zambia
10 years before
course start date
Grade CGrade CGrade CGrade C
Zimbabwe General
Certificate of
Education O Level
Zimbabwe
School
Examinations
Council
10 years before
course start date
Grade CGrade CGrade CGrade B

English language proficiency letter / MoI letter

Nigeria: we accept an English language proficiency letter or MoI letter from Nigerian students who have passed their Bachelor degree with upper second class (2:1) / the average overall exam score of 60%+ from one of the below Nigerian universities. Students must also have passed WAEC/WASSCE/NECO exams with grade C6 or above in English in the past.

Vietnam: we accept an English language proficiency letter or MoI letter from selective Vietnamese universities. We will provide further information on this during the application process.

Malaysia: we accept English language proficiency letter or MoI letter from Malaysian students. We will provide further information on this during the application process.

EU/EEA qualifications

QualificationExamination BoardValidity PeriodGrade/Score
for IELTS 5.5
equivalent
Grade/Score
for IELTS 6.0
equivalent
Grade/Score
for IELTS 6.5
equivalent
Grade/Score
for IELTS 7.0
equivalent
Bulgaria
Diploma of Completed
Secondary Education
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
Pass Mark of
3 minimum
Pass Mark of
3 minimum
Pass Mark of
3 minimum
Pass Mark of
3 minimum
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
Grade 10Grade 10Grade 10Grade 10
Estonia
Riigieksamitunnis-tud
Ministry of
Education and
Research
10 years before
course start date
75%
France
Diplome du
Baccalaureat General
or Baccalaureat
Technologique
Ministry of
National
Education
(France)
10 years before
course start date
10
Germany
Abitur as a
Hauptfach / Liestungskur
Federal
Ministry of
Education and
Research
10 years before
course start date
Grade 10Grade 10Grade 10Grade 10
Greece
Apolytirio
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
Grade 10Grade 10Grade 10Grade 10
Latvia
Atestats
National
Centre for
Education
(NCE)
10 years before
course start date
8 out of 10
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
75% or 8 out of
10 in English
Poland
Matura
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
65% at
advanced/extend
ed level in
English language
Portugal High School Certificate
English Grade
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
14
Romania
Diploma de
Bacalaureat
Ministry of
National
Education
10 years before
course start date
B2
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Ministry of
Education
10 years before
course start date
5 out of 105 out of 105 out of 105 out of 10