English Language Requirements
Which English tests UK universities and the Student visa accept, the levels you need, and the difference between the visa minimum and a university's own (often higher) requirement.
Indicative general guidance — always check the specific university and course. Only the visa figures here (CEFR levels and the IELTS for UKVI scores) are fixed rules from gov.uk. The academic score ranges are general ranges, not per-university minimums, and requirements change every year — confirm the exact test and score on each university's official course page.
Two different requirements (don't confuse them)
International students must usually clear two separate English bars:
1. The visa requirement (UKVI)
A fixed government minimum: CEFR B2 for degree level and above. This is the same for everyone and is set by the Home Office.
2. The university requirement
Each university sets its own academic English requirement per course — frequently higher than the visa minimum, and it varies by subject and level.
You generally have to satisfy both. Meeting the visa minimum does not mean you meet a particular course's academic requirement, and vice versa.
The Student visa English requirement
For a Student visa you must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level on the CEFR scale. The fixed minimums are:
- Degree level and above — CEFR B2, equivalent to IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each of the four skills.
- Below degree level — CEFR B1, equivalent to IELTS for UKVI 4.0 in each skill.
- The score must be met in every component — not just as an overall average.
Important nuance at degree level: your university is a licensed Student sponsor and can assess your English itself (to a B2-equivalent standard) and confirm it on your CAS. That means you often won't need a separate SELT if your university accepts your test (e.g. IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Duolingo) and confirms it. A SELT becomes necessary when the university does not self-assess, or for below-degree courses.
Official: gov.uk — Student visa: Knowledge of English · IELTS for UKVI
Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)
A SELT is a test from a UKVI-approved provider, taken at an approved test centre. It's what you use to prove English for the visa when your university doesn't assess you itself. The approved providers and their named tests are:
| Approved provider | SELT test(s) |
|---|---|
| IELTS SELT Consortium | IELTS for UKVI, IELTS Life Skills |
| LanguageCert | International ESOL SELT, Academic SELT, General SELT |
| Pearson | PTE Academic UKVI, PTE Home |
| Trinity College London | ISE (Integrated Skills in English), GESE — for UKVI |
| PSI Services (UK) Ltd | Skills for English UKVI (overseas only) |
- • SELT results are valid for 2 years from the award date.
- • If you're in the UK you can't use PSI; if you're outside the UK you can't use Trinity.
Official: gov.uk — Prove your English with a SELT
Tests universities accept for admission
For admission, universities accept a wider range of tests than the visa SELT list. The key is the visa caveat: some admission tests are not SELTs, so whether they also cover your visa depends on your university confirming your English on your CAS. Always check what your specific course accepts.
| Test | What it is | Visa note |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | The most widely accepted academic English test. | Use the IELTS for UKVI version as a SELT for visa purposes. |
| PTE Academic | Computer-based academic English test, widely accepted for admission. | PTE Academic UKVI is a UKVI-approved SELT. |
| TOEFL iBT | Accepted for admission by essentially all UK universities, including the Russell Group. | Not a SELT, but at degree level a sponsoring university can confirm it on your CAS. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | High-level Cambridge English qualifications accepted by most UK universities. | Check whether your university uses it for CAS confirmation; not a standalone SELT. |
| Trinity ISE | CEFR-calibrated Integrated Skills in English (B2/C1/C2). | Accepted for admission and is a UKVI SELT (taken in the UK). |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | Accepted for admission by 100+ UK universities; indicative scores commonly 110–125. | Not on the UKVI SELT list — cannot be used on its own as a visa test. |
We don't list per-test admission score minimums because there is no single official figure and they differ by university and course. Check the official course page for the exact test and score it needs.
Official test info: IELTS · TOEFL iBT (UK) · PTE · Cambridge English · Trinity ISE · Duolingo
Indicative academic score ranges
These are indicative general ranges — not per-university minimums. Real requirements are set per course and change each year. Use these only to get a rough sense of the level; always check the specific university and course for the exact test and score.
Undergraduate
IELTS 6.0 – 6.5
commonly (indicative)
Postgraduate
IELTS 6.5 – 7.0
commonly (indicative)
Most competitive courses
IELTS 7.0 – 7.5
e.g. law, medicine (indicative)
For the Duolingo English Test, UK universities commonly look for roughly 110–125 (indicative) — again, set per university, so confirm on the official course page.
CEFR ↔ IELTS reference
UK English levels are described on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) scale. This is the official approximate mapping to IELTS bands:
| CEFR level | IELTS (approx.) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | 4.0 – 5.0 | Below degree level / some pre-sessional entry |
| B2 | 5.5 – 6.5 | Degree-level visa minimum is B2 (IELTS for UKVI 5.5 each) |
| C1 | 7.0 – 8.0 | Often required by competitive courses |
| C2 | 8.5 + | Near-native proficiency |
Official: IELTS and the CEFR
Can the English test be waived? (MOI)
Sometimes. Many universities offer a Medium of Instruction (MOI) waiver if your previous qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English, often where it was completed within the last two years. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries, or holders of a UK degree, are also frequently exempt.
This varies by university — eligibility rules, accepted evidence (e.g. an official MOI letter) and the time limits differ. Never assume a waiver applies: confirm it in writing on the specific university's official admissions page before you rely on it.
General guidance: UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs)
If you fall short: pre-sessional & pathway English
If your English is slightly below a course's requirement, you usually have options rather than a flat rejection:
- Pre-sessional English — a short, intensive English course (a few weeks to several months) before your main degree, run by the university. Passing it lets you progress to your degree.
- Foundation / pathway programmes — longer below-degree routes that build academic English alongside subject content.
Visa note: if you need a Student visa for a pre-sessional course, the visa route is usually below degree level, so a SELT is generally required — most commonly IELTS for UKVI (Academic), Trinity ISE or PTE Academic UKVI. Check what your university's pre-sessional accepts.
General guidance: British Council — Study UK · UKCISA
Frequently asked questions
Do I need IELTS for a UK Student visa?
Not specifically IELTS. For a Student visa you must prove your English to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study. At degree level your university (a licensed Student sponsor) can assess your English itself and confirm it on your CAS using a range of accepted tests, so a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI is only required if the university does not assess you itself, or if your course is below degree level.
What English level does the UK Student visa require?
CEFR level B2 for degree level and above, which is equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking). Courses below degree level require CEFR B1, equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in each skill. The minimum must be met in every component, not just on average.
What is the difference between the visa requirement and the university requirement?
They are two separate bars. The visa sets a minimum English level (B2 for degree level). Each university also sets its own academic English requirement for the course, which is often higher than the visa minimum. You usually need to meet both.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted in the UK?
Many UK universities accept the Duolingo English Test for admission, but it is not on the UK government’s list of approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs), so it cannot be used on its own as a visa SELT. At degree level a sponsoring university may still confirm your English on your CAS.
What if my previous degree was taught in English?
Some universities waive the English test if your previous qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (often if completed within the last two years). This is a medium-of-instruction (MOI) waiver and it varies by university, so always check the specific university’s official policy.
How long are SELT results valid?
Secure English Language Test (SELT) results are valid for two years from the date the test is awarded.
Related guides
This page is general guidance for international students and is not affiliated with UKVI or any test provider. The visa rules (CEFR levels and IELTS for UKVI scores) are from gov.uk; academic requirements are set by each university and change every cycle — always confirm on the official sources linked above. (Last checked 3 June 2026.)