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International students

Foundation and Pre-Masters English Language Requirements

All students must meet English language entry requirements for all programmes of study at Queen Mary. The requirement for all of our Foundation (including integrated foundation programmes) and Pre-Master programmes are published below, according to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered.

If you are a national of any country NOT listed on UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list, we can only accept from you an English test (or qualification) from our approved list that can be verified by us at Queen Mary directly at source on the test (or qualification) provider’s verification portal.

UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list can be found under section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules.


IELTS One Skill Retake 

Available in selected test centres in some countries to eligible candidates, the IELTS One Skill Retake allows test takers to reattempt one of the four skills from each complete IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking without the need to take a complete IELTS test again.  We will accept IELTS One Skill Retake if scores achieved meet our English language requirements.  We normally only accept the latest results of an English test.


Remotely offered tests from IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL

The following English tests, that are being offered with the same scoring format as the original tests from the providers, will be accepted with scores as required for our programmes from the original test, with a two year validity from the course start date:

Student Visa Regulations

If you will require a Student Visa to study in the UK, you must meet the minimum English Language requirements to meet the UKVI regulations.  The minimum IELTS requirement is 5.5 in all four skills (Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening).  However, many of our courses require higher grades.

Pre-sessional English Language Courses

If you fall slightly below our standard English language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses.  Please note that you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to pre-sessional courses.  Currently, only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity ISE are accepted.   The Pre-sessional English course requirements are published below.

The minimum English Language requirements for entry to all undergraduate Business and Management degree programmes with an Integrated Foundation Year are published below. This includes the following courses:

  • Accounting and Management with Integrated Foundation Year
  • Business Management with Integrated Foundation Year 
  • Marketing and Management with Integrated Foundation Year
IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall including 5.5 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
TOEFL: 79 overall including 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading, and 20 in Speaking.
PTE Academic: 65 overall including 59 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with Merit in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
C2 Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 169 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
C1 Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 169 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

 

Pre-Sessional English Courses

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-Sessional English courses.   If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to Pre-Sessional courses. Only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity ISE are currently accepted. 

Nine week only

IELTS: 5.5 overall including a minimum of 5.0 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

PTE Academic (UKVI): 59 overall including 55 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: B2 Communicator Pass

Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with a minimum of Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.  

The minimum English Language requirements for entry to all undergraduate Economics degree programmes with an Integrated Foundation Year are published below. This includes the following courses (including Year Abroad options):

  • Economics with Integrated Foundation Year 
  • Economics and Finance with Integrated Foundation Year 
  • Economics, Finance and Management with Integrated Foundation Year 
  • Economics and International Finance with Integrated Foundation Year 
  • Economics, Statistics and Mathematics with Integrated Foundation Year 
  • Economics and Politics with Integrated Foundation Year 
IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall including 5.5 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
TOEFL: 79 overall including 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading, and 20 in Speaking.
PTE Academic: 65 overall including 59 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with Merit in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
C2 Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 169 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
C1 Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 169 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

 

Pre-Sessional English Courses

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-Sessional English courses.   If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to Pre-Sessional courses. Only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity ISE are currently accepted. 

Nine week only

IELTS: 5.5 overall including a minimum of 5.0 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

PTE Academic (UKVI): 59 overall including 55 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: B2 Communicator Pass

Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with a minimum of Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

The minimum English Language requirements for entry to the International Foundation Year (IFY) programmes are published below.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you must meet the minimum English Language requirements to meet the UKVI regulations and you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language test (SELT) for entry to the course.

Pathway IELTS (UKVI) Score Required PTE (UKVI) Score Required
Business & Management 5.5 overall, minimum of 5.0 in each skill 59 overall, minimum of 55 in each skill
Economics & Finance 5.5 overall, minimum of 5.0 in each skill 59 overall, minimum of 55 in each skill
Geography & Development Studies 6.0 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each skill 65 overall, minimum of 59 in each skill
Global Health 6.0 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each skill 65 overall, minimum of 59 in each skill
Humanities & Social Sciences 6.0 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each skill 65 overall, minimum of 59 in each skill
Law 6.0 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each skill 65 overall, minimum of 59 in each skill
Politics & International Relations 6.0 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each skill 65 overall, minimum of 59 in each skill
Science and Engineering (all) 5.0 overall, minimum of 5.0 in each skill 55 overall, minimum of 55 in each skill


If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-Sessional English courses.   If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to Pre-Sessional courses. Only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity ISE are currently accepted.

Pre-Sessional English Courses

Please note we only offer nine week pre-sessional courses for the International Foundation Year.

  • English, Literature, Film and Drama
  • Geography and Development Studies
  • Global Health
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Law
  • Politics and International Relations

IELTS: 5.5 overall including a minimum of 5.0 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

PTE Academic (UKVI): 59 overall including 55 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: B2 Communicator Pass

Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with a minimum of Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

  • Business and Management
  • Economics and Finance

IELTS: 5.0 overall including a minimum of 5.0 in Writing and no less than 4.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking.

PTE Academic (UKVI): 55 overall including 55 in Writing and no less than 43 in Reading, Listening and Speaking

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: B2 Communicator Pass

Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with a minimum of Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 

The minimum English Language requirements for entry to the following Pre-Masters Graduate Diplomas are published below.   This includes the following courses:

  • Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Finance and Economics
IELTS Academic: 5.5 overall including 5.5 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
TOEFL: 72 overall including 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading, and 20 in Speaking.
PTE Academic: 59 overall including 59 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
C2 Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 162 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
C1 Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 162 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

 

Pre-Sessional English Courses

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-Sessional English courses.   If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to Pre-Sessional courses. Only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity ISE are currently accepted. 

Nine week only

IELTS: 5.0 overall including a minimum of 5.0 in Writing and no less than 4.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking.

PTE Academic (UKVI): 55 overall including 55 in Writing and no less than 43 in Reading, Listening and Speaking

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: B2 Communicator Pass

Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with a minimum of Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking

The minimum English Language requirements for entry to all integrated Science and Engineering Foundation Programmes (SEFP) are published below. This includes the following courses:

  • SEFP Biological Sciences (4/5 years)
  • SEFP Chemistry (4/5 years)
  • SEFP Electronic Engineering (4 years)
  • SEFP Engineering (4/5 years)
  • SEFP Materials Science (4/5 years)
  • SEFP Mathematical Sciences (4 years)
IELTS: 6.0 overall including 5.5 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
TOEFL: 79 overall including 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading, and 20 in Speaking.
PTE Academic: 65 overall including 59 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with Merit in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): 169 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 169 overall including 162 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

 

Pre-Sessional English Courses

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-Sessional English courses.   If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to Pre-Sessional courses. Only IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT and Trinity ISE are currently accepted. 

Nine week only

IELTS: 5.5 overall including a minimum of 5.0 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

PTE Academic (UKVI): 59 overall including 55 in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT: B2 Communicator Pass

Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): Trinity ISE II with a minimum of Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.

We also accept a range of alternative qualifications to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. Approved English language tests must have been taken within two years of the proposed course start date.

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