English language requirementsRecognised English Language Qualifications for Pre-sessional and Degree Entry
Online Pre-sessional English is taught fully online with students remaining in their home countries. Therefore, a wider range of English language qualifications may be accepted for entry to Online Pre-sessional English, including:
- IELTS Academic (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- IELTS Academic Online
- IELTS Academic One Skill Re-take (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (UKVI)
As of 1st February, 2025, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (non-UKVI) will no longer be accepted. Applicants are advised to provide an alternative test from the list of approved qualifications in order to meet English requirements. Applicants who have already booked or taken a PTE Academic (non-UKVI) test between 13th January and 31st January, 2025, should contact the University on the Applicant Portal for further advice.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II
- LanguageCert Academic (SELT)
- Skills for English SELT B2
- Skills for English SELT B1
- TOEFL IBT
- Cambridge First Certificate of English (FCE)
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT): If you plan to take this test, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT) Global: For a limited time, a discount is available for ELLT Global. For more information, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application.
- Oxford Test of English
- Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) (Kaplan Test of English from 15th March, 2024): If you plan to take this test, please contact kte@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Duolingo English Test
Please refer to the ELT webpage for guidance on the length of Pre-sessional course, or contact ELT directly: elt@strath.ac.uk
On Campus Pre-sessional English is taught fully on campus. Applicants will require a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to obtain a Study Visa for the UK, including:
- IELTS Academic (UKVI SELT)
- IELTS Academic One Skill Re-take (with an IELTS UKVI SELT)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (UKVI)
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II
- LanguageCert Academic (SELT)
- Skills for English SELT B2
- Skills for English SELT B1
Applicants at CEFR B2 level, who also meet Pre-sessional entry requirements, can use one of the equivalent qualifications with CEFR B2 scores listed below instead of a SELT and be eligible for a single CAS (CAS to cover Pre-sessional English and main degree programme):
- IELTS Academic (non-UKVI): 5.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
- IELTS Academic Online: 5.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
- IELTS Academic One Skill Re-take (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI): 5.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, after the One Skill Re-take.
- TOEFL IBT: 72 overall, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening: 17 Reading: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 17.
- Cambridge First Certificate of English (FCE): 162 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component.
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 162 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT):Tests dated up to and including 15th June, 2022: 4 overall, with a minimum of 4 in each component. Tests dated from 16th June, 2022: 5 overall, with a minimum of 5 in each component. If you plan to take this test, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT) Global: 5 overall, with a minimum of 5 in each component. For a limited time, a discount is available for ELLT Global. For more information, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application.
- Oxford Test of English: 111 overall, with a minimum of 111 in each component.
- Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) (Kaplan Test of English from 15th March, 2024): KITE Main Flight / Overall Ability 396, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening and Reading 396; Speaking and Writing 425. If you plan to take this test, please contact kte@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Duolingo English Test: Tests dated up to and including 30th June, 2024: 100 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each Integrated subscore component (Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production). Tests dated from 1st July, 2024: 100 overall, with a minimum of 105 in Reading, Speaking and Writing, and a minimum of 100 in Listening.
For all applicants, please refer to the ELT webpage for guidance on the length of Pre-sessional course, or contact ELT directly: elt@strath.ac.uk
For entry onto main degree
- IELTS Academic (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- IELTS Academic Online
- IELTS Academic One Skill Re-take (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (UKVI): 60 overall, with a minimum of 59 in each component.
As of 1st February, 2025, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (non-UKVI) will no longer be accepted. Applicants are advised to provide an alternative test from the list of approved qualifications in order to meet English requirements. Applicants who have already booked or taken a PTE Academic (non-UKVI) test between 13th January and 31st January, 2025, should contact the University on the Applicant Portal for further advice.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II: ISE II, with a minimum merit in each component.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III: ISE III, with a pass in each component.
- LanguageCert Academic (SELT): 65-69, with a minimum of 60-64 in each component
- Skills for English SELT B2: Pass
- Skills for English SELT C1: Pass
- TOEFL (ibt): 73 overall, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening: 17 Reading: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 18.
- Cambridge First Certificate of English (FCE): 169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component.
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component.
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency: 169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT): Tests dated up to and including 15th June, 2022: 5 overall, with a minimum of 4 in each component (must be at least B2). Tests dated from 16th June, 2022: 6 overall, with a minimum of 5 in each component. If you plan to take this test, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT) Global: 6 overall, with a minimum of 5 in each component. For a limited time, a discount is available for ELLT Global. For more information, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application.
- Oxford Test of English: 121 overall, with a minimum of 111 in each component.
- Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) (Kaplan Test of English from 15th March, 2024): KITE Main Flight / Overall Ability 426, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening and Reading 396; Speaking and Writing 425. If you plan to take this test, please contact kte@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Duolingo English Test: Tests dated up to and including 30th June, 2024: 115 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each Integrated subscore component (Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production). Tests dated from 1st July, 2024: 115 overall, with a minimum of 105 in Reading, Speaking and Writing, and a minimum of 100 in Listening.
- IELTS Academic (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- IELTS Academic Online
- IELTS Academic One Skill Re-take (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (UKVI): 60 overall, with a minimum of 59 in each component.
As of 1st February, 2025, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (non-UKVI) will no longer be accepted. Applicants are advised to provide an alternative test from the list of approved qualifications in order to meet English requirements. Applicants who have already booked or taken a PTE Academic (non-UKVI) test between 13th January and 31st January, 2025, should contact the University on the Applicant Portal for further advice.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II: ISE II, with a minimum distinction in each component.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III: ISE III, with a pass in each component.
- LanguageCert Academic (SELT): 70-74, with a minimum of 60-64 in each component.
- Skills for English SELT B2: Pass with Merit
- Skills for English SELT C1: Pass
- TOEFL (ibt): 80 overall, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening: 17 Reading: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 18.
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component.
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency: 176 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT): Tests dated up to and including 15th June 2022: 6 overall, minimum 4 in each component (must be at least B2). Tests dated from 16th June 2022: 7 overall, with a minimum of 5 in each component. If you plan to take this test, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT) Global: 7 overall, with a minimum of 5 in each component. For a limited time, a discount is available for ELLT Global. For more information, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application.
- Oxford Test of English: 131 overall, with a minimum of 111 in each component.
- Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) (Kaplan Test of English from 15th March, 2024): KITE Main Flight / Overall Ability 459, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening and Reading 396; Speaking and Writing 425. If you plan to take this test, please contact kte@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Duolingo English Test: Tests dated up to and including 30th June, 2024: 125 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each Integrated subscore component (Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production). Tests dated from 1st July, 2024: 125 overall, with a minimum of 105 in Reading, Speaking and Writing, and a minimum of 100 in Listening.
- IELTS Academic (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- IELTS Academic Online
- IELTS Academic One Skill Re-take (UKVI SELT or non-UKVI)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (UKVI): 60 overall, with a minimum of 60 in each component.
As of 1st February, 2025, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (non-UKVI) will no longer be accepted. Applicants are advised to provide an alternative test from the list of approved qualifications in order to meet English requirements. Applicants who have already booked or taken a PTE Academic (non-UKVI) test between 13th January and 31st January, 2025, should contact the University on the Applicant Portal for further advice.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II: ISE II, with a minimum distinction in each component.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III: ISE III, with a pass in each component.
- LanguageCert Academic (SELT): 70-74, with a minimum of 65-69 in each component.
- Skills for English SELT B2: Pass with Merit
- Skills for English SELT C1: Pass
- TOEFL (ibt): 80 overall, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening: 18 Reading: 19 Speaking: 21 Writing: 21.
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, with a minimum of 169 in each component.
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency: 176 overall, with a minimum of 169 in each component.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT): Tests dated up to and including 15th June, 2022: 6 overall, with a minimum 5 in each component (must be at least B2). Tests dated from 16th June, 2022: 7 overall, with a minimum of 6 in each component. If you plan to take this test, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (OI Digital Institute ELLT) Global: 7 overall, with a minimum of 6 in each component. For a limited time, a discount is available for ELLT Global. For more information, please contact oxford-int-ellt@strath.ac.uk before application.
- Oxford Test of English: 131 overall, with a minimum of 121 in each component.
- Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) (Kaplan Test of English from 15th March, 2024): KITE Main Flight / Overall Ability 459, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening and Reading 426; Speaking and Writing 425. If you plan to take this test, please contact kte@strath.ac.uk before application, to receive a discount code.
- Duolingo English Test: Tests dated up to and including 30th June, 2024: 125 overall, with a minimum of 110 in each Integrated subscore component (Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production). Tests dated from 1st July, 2024: 125 overall, with a minimum of 115 in Reading and Speaking, a minimum of 125 in Writing, and a minimum of 110 in Listening.
Special measures in place for entry to 2025/26 academic year
As of 11th August, 2023, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Online will no longer be accepted. Applicants will instead be required to provide an alternative test from the list of approved qualifications in order to meet English requirements.
As of 21st March, 2024, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 and B2 are no longer accepted, though tests taken on or before 21st March, 2024, may still be considered.
As of 1st February, 2025, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (non-UKVI) will no longer be accepted. Applicants are advised to provide an alternative test from the list of approved qualifications in order to meet English requirements. Applicants who have already booked or taken a PTE Academic (non-UKVI) test between 13th January and 31st January, 2025, should contact the University on the Applicant Portal for further advice.
From 13th January, 2025, the Duolingo English Test will be accepted from applicants from all nationalities.
Also from 13th January, 2025, the Duolingo English Test component score entry requirements for tests dated from 1st July, 2024, will be based on the Individual subscores of Speaking, Writing, Listening and Reading (SWRL), and not the Integrated subscores of Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production (LCCP). For tests dated up to and including 30th June, 2024, the component entry score requirements will be based on the Integrated subscores of Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production (LCCP).