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Pre-sessional Language entry requirements

Last updated:
12 November 2025

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To apply for Pre-sessional, you will need to show your current English level. To do this, you must submit a single, valid, accepted test result.

  • You can't combine scores from different tests.
  • Your result must be less than 2 years old at the start of the Pre-sessional course.*

* If you have already studied in the UK or on Pre-sessional, you might need a test result issued after the start of your previous or current course. See our Pre-sessional visa and immigration guidance.

  • IELTS Academic / IELTS Academic Online / IELTS Academic for UKVI
  • PTE Academic / PTE Academic for UKVI
  • TOEFL iBT / TOEFL iBT Home Edition
  • Trinity ISE
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT
  • Oxford Test of English
  • PSI Skills for English SELT.

To study Pre-sessional on a Student visa, you need a Home Office Secure English Language Test (SELT). Accepted SELTS:

  • IELTS Academic for UKVI
  • PTE Academic for UKVI
  • Trinity ISE (SELT when taken in UK)
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT
  • PSI Skills for English SELT.

To study Pre-sessional on a Standard Visitor visa or online, you can use a SELT or a non-SELT. Accepted non-SELTS:

  • IELTS Academic
  • IELTS Academic Online
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
  • Oxford Test of English.

See our Pre-sessional Visa and Immigration Guidance.

7 Week Pre-sessional English entry requirements

IELTS 5.5 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 5.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 5.0

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 43
  • Minimum score for each skill: 43

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 60
  • Minimum score for Listening, Reading, and Writing: 15
  • Minimum score for Speaking: 16

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 3.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 3.0

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE I Distinction
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE I Distinction

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 54
  • Minimum score for each skill: 54

Oxford Test of English

  • n/a

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B1 Pass with Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: B1 Pass with Merit

IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 5.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 5.0

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 46
  • Minimum score for each skill: 43

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for Listening, Reading, and Writing: 15
  • Minimum score for Speaking: 16

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 3.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 3.0

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE II Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE II Pass

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 60
  • Minimum score for each skill: 54

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 111
  • Minimum score for each skill: 100

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B2 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: B2 Pass

IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 5.0

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 54
  • Minimum score for each skill: 43

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 80
  • Minimum score for Listening, Reading, and Writing: 15
  • Minimum score for Speaking: 16

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 3.0

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE II Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE II Pass

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 65
  • Minimum score for each skill: 54

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 126
  • Minimum score for each skill: 100

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B2 Pass with Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: B2 Pass with Merit

IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 5.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 54
  • Minimum score for each skill: 46

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 80
  • Minimum score for each skill: 17

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 3.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE II Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE II Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 65
  • Minimum score for each skill: 60

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 126
  • Minimum score for each skill: 111

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B2 Pass with Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: B2 Pass with Merit

IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.5
  • Minimum score for one skill: 5.5
  • Minimum score for other skills: 6.5

PTE Academic  or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 59
  • Minimum score for each skill: 59

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 90
  • Minimum score for one skill: 17
  • Minimum score for other skills: 22

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum score for one skill: 3.5
  • Minimum score for other skills: 4.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE III Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE III Pass or Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for one skill: 60
  • Minimum score for other skills: 70

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 136
  • Minimum score for one skill: 111
  • Minimum score for other skills: 136

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 6.5

PTE Academic  or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 59
  • Minimum score for each skill: 59

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 90
  • Minimum score for each skill: 22

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 4.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE III Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE III Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for each skill: 70

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 136
  • Minimum score for each skill: 136

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

IELTS 7.0 (minimum 7.0 in a certain skill, 6.0 in other skills)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.5
  • Minimum score for one skill: 5.5
  • Minimum score for other skills including a certain skill: 6.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 59
  • Minimum score for each skill: 59

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 90
  • Minimum score for Writing: 22
  • For Listening, Reading, Speaking, minimum score for two skills: 22
  • For Listening, Reading, Speaking, minimum score for one skill: 17

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum score for one skill: 3.5
  • Minimum score for other skills including a certain skill: 4.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE III Merit
  • Minimum score for Writing: ISE III Merit
  • Minimum score for other skills: ISE III Pass or Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for one skill: 60
  • Minimum score for other skills including a certain skill: 70

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 136
  • Minimum score for one skill: 111
  • Minimum score for other skills including a certain skill: 136

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

IELTS 7.5 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 7.0
  • Minimum score for one skill: 6.0
  • Minimum score for other skills: 7.0

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 66
  • Minimum score for each skill: 59

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 100
  • Minimum score for one skill: 20
  • Minimum score for other skills: 24

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 5.0
  • Minimum score for one skill: 4.0
  • Minimum score for other skills: 5.0

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE III Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE III Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 75
  • Minimum score for one skill: 65
  • Minimum score for other skills: 75

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 146
  • Minimum score for one skill: 126
  • Minimum score for other skills: 146

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

12 Week Pre-sessional English entry requirements

IELTS 5.5 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 5.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 4.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 36
  • Minimum score for each skill: 34

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 60
  • Minimum score for Listening and Reading: 10
  • Minimum score for Speaking: 16
  • Minimum score for Writing: 13

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 3.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 2.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE I Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE I Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 54
  • Minimum score for each skill: 47

Oxford Test of English

  • n/a

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B1 Pass with Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: B1 Pass with Merit

IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 5.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 4.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 36
  • Minimum score for each skill: 34

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 60
  • Minimum score for Listening and Reading: 10
  • Minimum score for Speaking: 16
  • Minimum score for Writing: 13

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 3.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 2.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE I Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE I Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 54
  • Minimum score for each skill: 47

Oxford Test of English

  • n/a

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B1 Pass with Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: B1 Pass with Merit

IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 5.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 5.0

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 46
  • Minimum score for each skill: 43

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for Listening, Reading, and Writing: 15
  • Minimum score for Speaking: 16

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 3.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 3.0

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE II Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE II Pass

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 60
  • Minimum score for each skill: 54

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 111
  • Minimum score for each skill: 100

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B2 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: B2 Pass

IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 5.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 5.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 46
  • Minimum score for each skill: 46

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for each skill: 17

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 3.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 3.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE II Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE II Pass

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 60
  • Minimum score for each skill: 60

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 111
  • Minimum score for each skill: 111

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: B2 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: B2 Pass

IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 5.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 59
  • Minimum score for each skill: 46

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 90
  • Minimum score for each skill: 17

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum score for each skill: 3.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE II Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE II Pass

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for each skill: 60

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 136
  • Minimum score for each skill: 111

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.5
  • Minimum score for two skills: 6.0
  • Minimum score for two skills: 6.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 59
  • Minimum score for two skills: 49
  • Minimum score for two skills: 59

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 90
  • Minimum score for two skills: 20
  • Minimum score for two skills: 22

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum score for two skills: 4.0
  • Minimum score for two skills: 4.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE III Pass
  • Minimum score for Listening & Reading: ISE III Pass
  • Minimum score for Speaking & Writing: ISE III Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for two skills: 65
  • Minimum score for two skills: 70

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 136
  • Minimum score for each skill: 136

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

IELTS 7.0 (minimum 7.0 in a certain skill, 6.0 in other skills)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 6.5
  • Minimum score for a certain skill: 6.5
  • Minimum score for other skills: 5.5

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 59
  • Minimum score for a certain skill: 59
  • Minimum score for other skills: 43

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 90
  • Minimum score for Writing: 22
  • Minimum score for other skills: 17

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum score for a certain skill: 4.5
  • Minimum score for other skills: 3.5

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE III Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE III Pass

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 70
  • Minimum score for a certain skill: 70
  • Minimum score for other skills: 60

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 136
  • Minimum score for a certain skill:136
  • Minimum score for other skills: 111

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

IELTS 7.5 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)

IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic Online or IELTS Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 7.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 6.0

PTE Academic or PTE Academic for UKVI

  • Overall score: 66
  • Minimum score for each skill: 49

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (pre-2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028

  • Overall score: 100
  • Minimum score for each skill: 20

TOEFL IBT or TOEFL IBT Home Edition (from 1 Jan 2026)*

*A new scoring system is effective 1 Jan 2026. However, results in the current scoring system are valid until 1 Jan 2028.

  • Overall score: 5.0
  • Minimum score for each skill: 4.0

Trinity ISE

  • Overall score: ISE III Merit
  • Minimum score for each skill: ISE III Merit

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • Overall score: 75
  • Minimum score for each skill: 65

Oxford Test of English

  • Overall score: 146
  • Minimum score for each skill: 126

PSI Skills for English SELT

  • Overall score: C1 Pass
  • Minimum score for each skill: C1 Pass

Non-standard entry requirements

These entry requirements are a guide only. We assess your application based on the specific entry requirements of your main course. Your main course might have non-standard language requirements. Examples include Certificate of Higher Education courses, courses requiring 7.0, and courses requiring higher skill scores. For these courses, there may be unique entry requirements for Pre-sessional. Please email presessional-admissions@arts.ac.uk for more information.

Unsure which Pre-sessional course is right for you? Read our course eligibility information.

Questions? Email us