Policy on minimum English language entry requirements

This page contains the University's policy on the minimum English language requirements for entry to all award and non-award bearing studies. Its content is primarily aimed at prospective international students but may also be of interest to staff and current students across all of the UK, China and Malaysia campuses.

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Please be aware that during academic year 2019/20, the University introduced Exceptional Regulations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The following document continues in use and will remain in force until 30 September 2022.

Its contents are only applicable to the University of Nottingham UK (UNUK) and should be read in conjunction with all other content on this page.

Covid-19 English language equivalencies - UNUK

Overview

This policy specifies minimum English language entry requirements for students applying to the University of Nottingham. Please note that these are minimum entry requirements and many subjects require higher entry qualifications.

These requirements apply to students undertaking both award and non-award bearing studies at the University.

Home students

Includes: requirements; GCSE level

Home students are required to have an appropriate grade or score in an approved examination in English language before they can register on an academic programme.

This is normally Grade C or 4 in GCSE English Language or equivalent. Please check individual course listings as some courses may have higher GCSE requirements.

EU and international students

Includes: International English Language Testing System (IELTS); Home Office list of recognised countries; recognised and equivalent qualifications; English language equivalencies document

EU and international students whose first language is not English are required to have an appropriate grade or score in an approved examination in English language (such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS)) before they can register on an academic programme.

Students will also be deemed to have an acceptable English language qualification if they have either:

taken their education entirely in the medium of English or can demonstrate that they have successfully completed a recognised UK degree
successfully completed the whole of their secondary education up to and including the equivalent of year 12 (including a GCSE-equivalent English language qualification) in one of the countries on the Home Office's list of recognised countries

In addition to the Home Office's list, we can also accept degrees from selected other English-speaking countries and institutions as evidence of English proficiency.

For more information, please consult the following:

UK Government website

Policy on alternative English language qualifications

IELTS website

Centre for English Language Education (CELE)

Recognised and equivalent qualifications

The following are the recognised primary English Language qualifications:

The academic version of the IELTS. IELTS tests are available worldwide. See the IELTS website to find your nearest test centre.

Successful final assessment of an appropriate pre-sessional English language course offered by the University of Nottingham's Centre for English Language Education (CELE).

A number of alternative language qualifications can also be accepted as B2 equivalent alternatives for NQF Level 6 (undergraduate degree level) study and above. For more information, please consult the following:

English language equivalencies

Below are the grades or scores normally required for immediate entry on to academic programmes at the University. Grades or scores are valid for a maximum period of two years prior to the date of registration.

One year foundation certificates

Includes: Secure English Language Test (SELT); Tier 4 student visa requirements

Please note that foundation course applicants requiring a Tier 4 student visa to study within the UK must provide evidence of a valid Secure English Language Test (SELT) as defined by the Home Office at the level of B1. This is due to visa regulations for non-degree-level programmes.

If you intend to apply for your visa outside the UK, the only tests available as a SELT for University of Nottingham applicants are an 'IELTS for UKVI' test (UK Visas and Immigration) from an approved IELTS SELT Consortium test centre, or a 'Pearson Test of English (PTE) for UKVI'. If you apply within the UK you can take an IELTS for UKVI test or a Trinity College London SELT test. We do not accept LanguageCert for entry to our courses.

The IELTS entry requirement for foundation programmes is:

IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in any element.

The PTE entry requirement for foundation programmes is:

an overall score of at least 59 and with no less than 53 in any element.

Students who have not reached this language level may attend a Pre-sessional course at the Centre for English Language Education (CELE).

For full details of this policy including a list of approved test centres around the world and Trinity College London SELT test centres in the UK, please consult the following.

UK Government website

Centre for English Language Education (CELE)

Integrated foundation courses

Includes: Medicine; Nursing and Midwifery; Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation; Veterinary Medicine and Science; other undergraduate and postgraduate programmes; English language bandings document

Since students will be receiving an offer for an NQF Level 6 or 7 qualification, they are required to meet the University's English language minimum for undergraduate study upon entry to the initial foundation year.