English Language Requirements
You will need to show proof of your English language ability to enrol at University of the Arts London (UAL). Most international students need to submit an English language test as proof of their language ability.
Our Language Centre offers English support before you start your main University course to help you reach the required language level.
Minimum IELTs requirements
Below are the standard IELTS requirements for UAL's courses. However, many of our courses have higher IELTS requirements than the standard grades, so you should check the relevant course page to find the exact requirement for your chosen course.
Further education (Access to HE Diploma, Foundation Diploma, City & Guilds):
- IELTS 5.0 overall and a minimum of IELTS 4.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Undergraduate levels 4 & 5 (Cert HE, FdA, FdSc):
- IELTS 5.5 overall and a minimum of IELTS 4.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Undergraduate level 6 (BA, BSc, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, Integrated Masters)
- Practice-based courses (require a portfolio):
IELTS 6.0 overall and a minimum of IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- Theory-based courses (do not require a portfolio):
IELTS 6.5 overall and a minimum of IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Postgraduate (MA, MFA, MDes, MRes, MSc, PG Cert, Pg Dip):
- Practice-based courses (require a portfolio):
IELTS 6.5 overall and a minimum of IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- Theory-based courses (do not require a portfolio):
IELTS 7.0 overall and a minimum of IELTS 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
If you are progressing from one level of University study to another this year (e.g. from a foundation degree to BA), we offer support and testing to help you meet the required IELTS score. This usually takes place in April or May.
In addition to IELTS, UAL accepts several other English language tests.
The documents below show the tests that we accept and the grades equivalent to our IELTS requirements. If you take TOEFL iBT, please do not use the comparison chart that is sometimes given with the TOEFL certificate - you must use the comparison charts below:
- Language tests for courses below NQF level 6 (pdf, 36kb)
Access, Foundation Diploma, City & Guilds, Cert HE, FdA, FdSc
- Language tests for courses at NQF level 6 and above (pdf, 29kb)
BA, BSc, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, PG Cert, PG Dip, MA, MFA, MSc, MRes, MPhil, PhD
How long are tests valid for?
All tests are valid for two years only.
Students who do not need to take an English test
You do not need to take an English language test if you fall into one of the following categories. Please contact our International Centre if any of these categories apply to you:
- Nationals of a majority English-speaking country (listed below) who have completed full secondary-level education in one of these countries (including Canada if instruction was in English):
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the USA, Ireland and the UK.
- Students who hold a qualification equivalent to a UK degree or above in one of the above-listed countries (excluding Canada). The university sets minimum grades/classifications for each qualification.
UK Degree Qualifications and Above (pdf, 198kb)
- Nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who have achieved one of the EEA/Swiss secondary-level qualifications accepted by University of the Arts London at the required grade:
Students who are EEA or Swiss nationals - March 2013 (pdf, 140kb)
- International students who will not require a Tier 4 General Student Visa at any point during their studies with us and have achieved one of the EEA / Swiss secondary-level qualifications accepted by University of the Arts London at the required grade:
Students who are EEA or Swiss nationals - March 2013 (pdf, 140kb)
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