English language requirements
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The University accepts a variety of English Language qualifications. The University’s preferred test is the IELTS (Academic) and the IELTS Academic (UKVI) variant for students who need a Visa to study in the UK. For students who apply for Foundation degree programmes and are not Majority English Speaking country nationals, the IELTS (UKVI) is a requirement to obtain their Tier 4 visa.
The following list shows the majority of the tests we accept. If you cannot see your English Language test in the list below please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk to discuss further.
Covid-19: Due to the closure of English Language Test centres in many countries, the University will be accepting some additional tests for applicants who start their studies in 2020-21 academic year. Additionally, for tests that expire within two years (IELTS, TOEFL ibt, PTE) the University will accept them if taken within two and a half years from the date of entry. This is an exceptional arrangement and will only apply for entry in 2020-21 academic year. Please scroll to the bottom part of this table to see these additional tests.
Qualification | Undergraduate | Graduate | Postgraduate Taught | Postgraduate Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Foundation degrees only | ||||
| Applicants requiring a Tier 4 visa who are not from a Majority English Speaking country (MES) and study for Foundation degree | UKVI IELTS - Academic band score 6.0 overall or above with no less than 5.5 in each component of the ‘academic’ IELTS test. | |||
(IFY, Foundation degrees, Bachelor degrees) | (GCA/GDA) | (PgCert, PgDip, MSc, MBA to include blended learning programmes) | (MScR, PhD) | |
| GCSE English/GCE O level/iGCSE first or second language | C/4 | C/4 | ||
| A level (A2) | D grade or above in A2 English language A2 in English literature (C grade or above) provided the applicant has already achieved a GCSE D grade in English or equivalent. | D grade or above in A2 English language A2 in English literature (C grade or above) provided the applicant has already achieved a GCSE D grade in English or equivalent. | C grade or above in A2 English language A2 in English literature (B grade or above) | C grade or above in A2 English language A2 in English literature (B grade or above) |
| AS level (A1) | D grade or above in AS English language. | D grade or above in AS English language. | C grade or above in AS English language. | C grade or above in AS English language. |
| Scottish Certificate of Higher Education | Until 1985, C or above on the ordinary grade of the Scottish certificate of education. In or after 1986, grade 3 or above on the standard grade of the Scottish certificate of education. Grade C or above in the certificate of sixth-year studies in English | Until 1985, C or above on the ordinary grade of the Scottish certificate of education. In or after 1986, grade 3 or above on the standard grade of the Scottish certificate of education. Grade C or above in the certificate of sixth-year studies in English | ||
| Irish Leaving Certificate | In or after 1975, leaving certificate at Grade C or above (ordinary) or at Grade D or above (higher). | In or after 1975, leaving certificate at Grade C or above (ordinary) or at Grade D or above (higher). | ||
| OU | A pass in any Level 1, 2 or 3 undergraduate (30 credit minimum) module prefixed with the letter A, D, B or E. | A pass in any Level 1, 2 or 3 undergraduate (30 credit minimum) module prefixed with the letter A, D, B or E. | ||
| European Baccalaureate | Pass (Grade 6 minimum) in English as a mother tongue or English as a foreign language. English language (mother tongue) pass (Grade 6 minimum) ( 80% in EL) | |||
| International Baccalaureate | Higher level in English language at a minimum of Grade 4 or Standard Level in English at a minimum of Grade 5 | Higher level in English language at a minimum of Grade 4 or Standard Level in English at a minimum of Grade 5 | ||
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic version | 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5 | 6.0 overall with no element below 6.0 | 6.5 overall with no element below 5.5 | 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in Writing and no less than 5.5 in other elements |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | Min. overall 56 with no individual element below 51-CEFR B2. | Min. overall 56 with no individual element below 56 – CEFR B2. | Min. overall 61 with no individual element below 51 – CEFR B2 | Min. overall 61 with no less than 56 in Writing and no less than 51 in any other component. |
| TOEFL ibt | Min. overall 80 with no less than 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing | Min. overall 80 with no less than 19 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 19 in Writing | Min. overall 88 with no less than 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing | Min. overall 88 with no less than 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 19 in Writing |
| Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English | For tests taken from January 2015 onwards 161 or higher. Tests taken pre-January 2015, overall Grade C required | For tests taken from January 2015 onwards 169 or higher. Tests taken pre-January 2015, overall Grade C required | For tests taken from January 2015 onwards 185 or higher. Tests taken pre-January 2015, overall Grade B required | |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency | The achievement of candidates who do not demonstrate ability at C2, but do show ability at C1 is recognized with a Cambridge English certificate at that level | |||
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English(SELT variant) | ISE II (SELT variant only) with min. pass in all sections | ISE II (SELT variant only) with merit in writing section and pass in all other sections | ||
Bachelor's degree studied in a MES (excl.Canada)
| They have studied and successfully completed an academic qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors taught in a majority English-speaking country if the qualification was taught in a MES country (excluding Canada) N.B. A UK NARIC Statement of comparability must be obtained in this case | They have studied and successfully completed an academic qualification at least equivalent to a UK Masters degree in a majority English-speaking country if the qualification was taught in a MES country (excluding Canada) | ||
| English language qualifications from national or regional curricula | ||||
| Austrian Matura (Reifeprufung) awarded from an Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule | Grade 2/gut or above | |||
| Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) | Grades 3-6 (credit); Grade C | |||
| East African Certificate of Education (EACE) | English: Grade C or above | |||
| German Abitur (Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife) | (English taken as Hauptfach / Leistungskurs / Kurs mit erhöhtem Anforderungsniveau) mark of 10/ gut obtained | |||
| Hong Kong applicants | HKDSE English (Core) Level 5 overall (no less than Level 4 in any sub-section) | |||
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | English: Grade C (4) or above | |||
| Malawi Certificate of School Education (MCSE) | Grades 3 and 4 (credit); Grade C | |||
| Malaysian SPM English (1119 / O level paper only) | Grade C or above | |||
| Norwegian Vitnemal – videregaende opplaering | English: Overall score of 4 or above | |||
| Ontario Secondary School Diploma | English Grade C (75%) or above | |||
| Singaporean Applicants | Singapore-Cambridge O level English grade C (1-6) or | |||
| South African National Senior Certificate/South African Matriculation Certificate | English: Grade 4/ Grade C (Standard Grade) or E in (Higher grade) | |||
| West African Examinations Council SSCE in English at first sitting | English: Grade C6 or above | |||
| Uganda National Examinations Board Certificate of Education (UCE) | Grades 3-6 (credit); Grade C | |||
| USA High School Graduation Diploma | English Grade C (75–79%) or above | |||
| USA SATS II (Subject) | Will be considered on an individual basis subject to academic background and grades | |||
| Zambian School Certificate Examination English Language | Grade A1 | |||
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education O level | English: Grade C(1-6) or above | |||
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education Advanced level English (ZIMSEC) | English: Grade D or above | |||
The following English Language Tests will be accepted exceptionally as evidence of an applicant's English language proficiency only during the academic year 2020/21 due to Covid-19 closures of English Language Centres.
| Qualification | Programmes requiring IELTS 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5 | Programmes requiring IELTS 6.0 overall with no element below 6.0 | Programmes requiring IELTS 6.5 overall with no element below 5.5 | Programmes requiring IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in Writing and no less than 5.5 in other elements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL ibt Special Home Edition | Min. overall 80 with no less than 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing | Min. overall 80 with no less than 19 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 19 in Writing | Min. overall 88 with no less than 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing | Min. overall 88 with no less than 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 19 in Writing |
| Duolingo | 100 | 100 | 110 | 110 |
Language CERT International ESOL | B2 Communicator Pass | B2 Communicator High Pass | B2 Communicator High Pass | B2 Communicator High Pass |
| IELTS Indicators | 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5 | 6.0 overall with no element below 6.0 | 6.5 overall with no element below 5.5 | 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in Writing and no less than 5.5 in other elements |
| NCUK's EAP (English for Academic Purposes) | 6.0 overall | 6.0 overall | 6.5 overall | 6.5 overall |
| KITE (Kaplan International Tools for English)(Main flight and extras) | Min. Main flight score of 458 and Speaking and Writing (Extra modules) min. B2/425 | Min. Main flight score of 458 and Speaking Writing (Extra modules) min. B2/458 | Min. Main flight score of 494 and Speaking Writing (Extra modules) min. B2/425 | Min. Main flight score of 494 and Speaking min. B2/425, Writing (Extra modules) min. B2/458 |