All students need to show proof of their English language ability to enrol at UAL. Most students from outside the UK need to submit an English language test as proof of their language ability.
If you are close but have not reached the required entry level for your chosen course, UAL offers a range of Pressesional English courses to help students improve their English level. Current students at UAL, progressing to the next level of university study (for example from Foundation to BA) can take UAL's Progress Test to achieve the IELTS score required for the next level.
To find out if you are exempt from English language testing, please read exemptions from language testing at the bottom of this page.
English language tests
Your English language requirement is generally expressed as an IELTS score but UAL accepts several other English language tests in addition to IELTS.
Where we state 'IELTS Academic for UKVI', you must provide a certificate for this test or an equivalent UKVI approved SELT listed below. IELTS Academic (not for UKVI) or other English tests not approved by UKVI cannot be used to support a student visa application for these levels of study. The University does not accept IELTS General or IELTS General for UKVI for any level of course.
From September 2024/25 intake onwards, UAL will no longer accept any online at home English language tests.
Please note that you must achieve the required language scores - overall and all 4 skills (unless the test provider exempts you from sitting a skill on the basis of disability) - from a single sitting of a test examination. We cannot accept a combination of 'best' scores from multiple test results.
Please note that if you take a Cambridge IGCSE exam, you must provide 2 documents:
- The Certificate
- The Certifying Statement for CEFR. You will need to request this and pay the fee.
Minimum IELTS scores
Our IELTS requirements vary depending on the course and level of study. The requirement for each course is shown on the individual course pages.
Jump to minimum scores for:
- Courses that require IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)
- Courses that require IELTS 5.5 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)
- Courses that require IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)
- Courses that require IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)
- Courses that require IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6 in each skill)
- Courses that require IELTS 7.5 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)
For courses that require scores not listed above
Courses that require IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)
This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.
Test | Score Required | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS Academic for UKVI (valid for 2 years) | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years) | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 |
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years) | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (valid for 2 years) | High Pass | High Pass 33 | High Pass 33 | High Pass 33 | High Pass 33 |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (valid for 2 years) | Pass | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years) | Pass | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 |
PSI Skills for English B1 (valid for 2 years) | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit |
Courses that require IELTS 5.5 (minimum 4.5 in each skill)
This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.
Test | Score Required | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS Academic for UKVI (valid for 2 years) | 5.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
PTE Academic UKVI (valid for 2 years) | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 |
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years) | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass | ISE II Pass |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (valid for 2 years) | Pass | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (valid for 2 years) | Pass | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 | Pass 33 |
PSI Skills for English B2 (valid for 2 years) | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
Courses that require IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)
This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.
Test | Score Required | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years) | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
PTE Academic (valid for 2 years) (PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted) | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 169 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 |
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 169 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 |
First Certificate (FCE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 169 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years) | C | A | D | D | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years) | C | A | D | D | C |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years) | C | 2 | E | E | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years) | C | D | E | E | D |
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years) | ISE II Merit | ISE II Merit | ISE II Merit | ISE II Merit | ISE II Merit |
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years) (TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted) | 80 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 |
PSI Skills for English B2 (valid for 2 years) | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit | Pass with Merit |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Courses that require IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill)
This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.
Test | Score Required | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years) | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
PTE Academic (valid for 2 years) (PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted) | 58 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 176 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 |
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 176 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 |
First Certificate (FCE) | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years) | C | A | D | D | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years) | C | A | D | D | C |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years) | C | 2 | E | E | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years) | C | D | E | E | D |
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years) | ISE III Pass | ISE III Pass | ISE III Pass | ISE III Pass | ISE III Pass |
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years) (TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted) | 90 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 |
PSI Skills for English C1 (valid for 2 years) | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Courses that require IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6 in each skill)
This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.
Test | Score Required | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years) | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
PTE Academic (valid for 2 years) (PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted) | 65 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 185 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 185 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
First Certificate (FCE) | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years) | B | A | C | C | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years) | B | A | C | C | C |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years) | B | 2 | D | D | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years) | B | C | D | D | C |
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years) | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit |
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years) (TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted) | 100 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
PSI Skills for English C1 (valid for 2 years) | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Courses that require IELTS 7.5 (minimum 6.5 in each skill)
This breakdown of minimum scores is intended as a guide only. Please check individual course pages for specific requirements.
Test | Score Required | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) (valid for 2 years) | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
PTE Academic (valid for 2 years) (PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted) | 73 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 191 | 176 | 176 | 176 | 176 |
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) from Jan 2015 (valid for 2 years) | 191 | 176 | 176 | 176 | 176 |
First Certificate (FCE) | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid | Not valid |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0510 (valid for 3 years) | B | A | B | B | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0511 (valid for 3 years) | B | A | B | B | B |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0500 (valid for 3 years) | B | 1 | C | C | 2 |
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus 0522 (valid for 3 years) | B | B | C | C | C |
Trinity ISE (valid for 2 years) | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit | ISE III Merit |
TOEFL ibt (valid for 2 years) (TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted) | 110 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Exemptions from language testing
You do not need to take an English language test if you fall into one of these categories:
1. Nationals of a majority English-speaking country who have completed full secondary-level education in one of these countries. Majority English-speaking countries include:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada (if instruction was in English)
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
- United Kingdom
2. Non UK nationals who are resident in the UK, have completed full secondary-level education in the UK or in one of the majority English-speaking countries listed above, and will not require a Student visa during their studies with us.
3. Students who hold a qualification equivalent to a UK degree or higher where instruction was in English and the proposed course of study at UAL will be at RQF Level 6 or above for example BA, MA). The University sets minimum grades for each qualification. If your degree equivalence does not appear on the PDF below, please contact us for advice. Qualifications are valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
4. If you have completed a GCSE, A’ level, Scottish National Qualification or Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher, in English Language/Literature in the UK, which you started when you were aged under 18, please contact us for advice on whether we can accept this in lieu of IELTS. These qualifications are valid for three years from the date of issue. The University sets minimum grades for each qualification, please refer to the PDF entitled 'Alternative English Language Qualifications.'
Alternative English Language Qualifications Accepted by the University
UAL will accept one of the alternative English Language qualifications shown in the document below from:
- Students who are a national of a majority English speaking country, as defined by the UK Home Office
- Students who do not require a Student visa to study at UAL
Alternative English language qualifications (PDF 185 KB)
UAL accepts Presessional course results from some other UK universities. Please read full details of our policy regarding the acceptance of Presessional course results from other UK universities:
Other Institutions Presessional English Language Courses (PDF 47.8 KB)
Pre-sessional English
Pre-sessional is a course that will help you improve your English language skills to meet the language requirement of your main degree conditions. You can take the course either online or on campus in London, depending on your language requirement and what level you need to improve. This course will also teach you the vital academic skills to succeed at UAL.
If you complete your Pre-sessional course and meet your requirements, you can progress to your main academic course at UAL. Check your eligibility by doing our questionaire.