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  4. English Language Requirements for Foundation Courses, Pre-Masters Programmes and Study Abroad Programmes

English Language Requirements for Foundation Courses, Pre-Masters Programmes and Study Abroad Programmes

The information on this page relates to programmes with a start date of November 2024 or later. Click here for programmes with a start date of up to October 2024.

Alongside meeting the academic entry requirements, all students must also meet the minimum English language entry requirements for their chosen programme in order to study at Queen Mary University of London. 

The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to your chosen course of study.

Below are our range of Foundation courses, Pre-Masters programmes, Masters with Integrated Pre-Masters programmes, and Study Abroad Programmes and the English bands assigned to them. 

The English Language requirements for entry to Foundation programmes integrated with Undergraduate degrees falls within the following English band:

  • Foundation Programmes Integrated with Undergraduate Degrees in the School of Business and Management
  • Foundation Programmes Integrated with Undergraduate Degrees in the School of Economics and Finance
  • Integrated Science and Engineering Foundation Programmes (SEFP) including courses in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Electronic Engineering, Engineering, Materials Science, Mathematical Sciences

Band 2: IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses. See Pre-sessional English course requirements.

The English Language requirements for entry to International Foundation Year programmes falls within the following English bands (Also see * for important note about SELT requirement):

  • International Foundation Year in all Science and Engineering pathways:

Band 1: IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 5.0 overall with 5.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking*

  • International Foundation Year pathways in Business & Management; Economics & Finance; English literature, Film & Drama; Geography & Development Studies; Global Health; Humanities & Social Sciences; Law; Politics & International Relations:

Band 2: IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking*

See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses. See Pre-sessional English course requirements.

The English Language requirements for entry to Pre-Masters Programmes and Masters Degrees with Integrated Pre-Masters falls within the following English band:

  • Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Finance and Economics
  • All Masters Degrees with Integrated Pre-Masters
Band 2: IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses. See Pre-sessional English course requirements.

The English Language requirements for entry to Study Abroad Programmes and Exchange Programmes (applications through the Global Opportunities Office) falls within the following English band:

Band 5: IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.

Pre-sessional English courses are not available for entry to Study Abroad Programmes and Exchange Programmes.

*SELT requirement - Those that are looking to study a standalone (i.e. not integrated with degree) Foundation programme at level 3 (such as our International Foundation Years) and are not nationals of a Majority English Speaking Country (as defined by UKVI) must meet the requirements through an English test which is deemed as a SELT (Secure English Language Test) by UKVI and approved by Queen Mary as acceptable such as IELTS Academic UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI.

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