If you'd like to study at UCA, you'll need to have a certain level of English language skill. And so, to make sure you meet the requirements of your course, we ask for evidence of your English language ability.
If your language skills need improving we offer a number of courses to get your English up to the required level.
Pre-sessional English
Our Pre-sessional courses both online and on the campus in the UK support your English language development and academic context of art, design and media to raise your English language level before progressing on to your main UCA course. Visit the Pre-sessional English page for more information.
We offer English courses of different durations, to match your level and requirements. Our English for Art and Design course is specifically designed to prepare you to study art and design, while English for Business is equally tailored to prepare for our business and management courses. These pre-sessional courses at UCA are aimed at supporting international students who have received and accepted a conditional offer to study with us. Visit the Pre-sessional English page for more information.
Alternative English language qualifications
If you are applying for an undergraduate course at UCA, we will consider equivalent academic qualifications from your home country as your English language skill evidence. You can check the accepted qualification and the required score on the International equivalent qualifications page.
Please note that in general, there is a two year's validity of an alternative English language qualification, so please check with us if you are not sure whether your qualification can be used in place of the UCA approved test.
Requirements
When you apply for a Student Route visa, you need to prove your English language ability.
If you need a Student Route visa to study a below degree course (RQF level 3 or 4), e.g. International Foundation, Further Education or Pre-sessional English Language courses, you need to take a test recognised by the Home Office. This is called a Secure English Language Test. UCA accepts SELT tests below.
- IELTS for UKVI
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic UKVI
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) SELT (if you are in the UK)
- PSI SELT (if you are outside the UK)
The SELT is only valid for two years, so if you have taken it before applying to UCA, please make sure it is still in date.
If you need a Student Route visa, you do not need to take a SELT if one of the following applies:
- You study a degree course (RQF level 6 or above).
- AND; you have taken one of the accepted non-SELT tests listed below within two years of your start date.
- You are a national of a majority English speaking country, as defined by the UKVI, and have taken your academic qualifications in that country
From September 2023 entry onwards, online tests will no longer be accepted. We will continue to monitor the situation globally, and adapt this again if we need to.
What test do you need to take if you want to study at UCA?
International Foundation courses
| Test | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | B1 Achiever High Pass |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic UKVI | 43.0 | 43.0 | 43.0 | 43.0 | 43.0 |
Further Education courses (Diploma and Extended Diploma)
| Test | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | B2 Communicator Pass |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic UKVI | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
BA/BSc courses and Pre-doctorate Preparation courses:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS UKVI or Academic | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 80 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English Proficiency | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 169 |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Merit | Merit | Merit | Merit | ISE II |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | B2 Communicator Pass |
| LanguageCert Academic | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 65 |
BA/BSc with Integrated International Foundation & MA/MSc with Integrated International Pre-Masters courses
| Test | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS UKVI or Academic | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 72 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English Proficiency | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Merit | Merit | Merit | Merit | ISE II |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | B2 Communicator Pass |
| LanguageCert Academic | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
MA/MSc & MBA courses
| Test | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS UKVI or Academic | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 90 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English Proficiency | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 176 |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | ISE III |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | 38 | 38 | 38 | 38 | B2 Communicator High Pass |
| LanguageCert Academic | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
Research degrees
| Test | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS UKVI or Academic | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7 | 7 |
| Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT | 20 | 20 | 20 | 27 | 100 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | 59 | 59 | 59 | 65 | 65 |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 | 176 | 176 | 185 | 185 |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Pass | Pass | Pass | Merit | ISE III |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
C1 Expert Pass |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 | 70 | 70 | 75 |
75 |
Further information
You can find more information about SELTs on the following pages:
- For IELTS tests, see www.ielts.org and www.takeielts.britishcouncil.org
- For Trinity College London tests, see www.trinitycollege.co.uk
If you are applying for an undergraduate course at UCA, we will consider equivalent academic qualifications from your home country.
We can also accept the UK, USA or internationally recognised qualifications as evidence of your English language efficiency. Please check the list below.
Please note that in general, there is a two year's validity of the English qualifications, so please check with us if you're not sure whether your English qualification can be used in place of a SELT or UCA approved test.
If you are applying for a postgraduate course at UCA, the following undergraduate qualification is required.
- You have successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree (or Master's degree), or 2-3 years' undergraduate qualification from a recognised university (according to UK ENIC) in one of the majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UKVI, within the last 3 years from Non-ST22.1 country or 5 years from ST22.1 country as defined by the UKVI; Or
- You have successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree (or Master's degree) with at least two years of studies, or 2-3 years' undergraduate qualification from a recognised university (according to UK ENIC), where the Method of Instruction was entirely in English (teaching and assessment), within the last 3 years from Non-ST22.1 country or 5 years from ST22.1 country as defined by the UKVI, subject to UCA approval. Please note that we can no longer accept method of instruction from South Asia from Sept 23 entry onwards when applying for a Business programme.
|
Academic Qualification |
Grade Requirements |
|---|---|
|
GCSE – English Language |
Grade A*-C/9-4 |
|
IGCSE
|
- AQA Level 2 Certificate in English Language C - Cambridge English First Language (syllabuses 0500/0522/0627/0990) C / 4 - Pearson Edexcel English Language A (syllabuses 4EA0/4EA1) C / 4 - Pearson Edexcel English Language B (syllabuses 4EB0/4EB1) C / 4 - Cambridge English as a Second Language (syllabus 0510) B with grade 2 in Speaking Component - Cambridge English as a Second Language (syllabus 0993) 6 with Distinction in Speaking Component - Cambridge English as a Second Language (syllabuses 0511/0991) B / 6 - Pearson Edexcel English as a Second Language (syllabus 4ES0/4ES1) B / 6 with grade 7 in Speaking Component |
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme |
- English Syllabus A: Standard or Higher Grade 4, or above - English Syllabus B: Standard Grade 5 or Higher Grade 4, or above |
|
A-levels & AS Levels |
- English Language or English Literature, Grade A*-C |
|
USA/American System |
- GPA 2.8/4.0 in English, in the US High School Diploma, taken at a US accredited institution or an institution accredited by a recognised body from a majority English speaking country as defined by the UKVI. - SAT (2016 onwards): Evidence based Reading/Writing 610, plus at least 2 years of study in a US accredited institution or an institution accredited by a recognised body from a majority English speaking country as defined by the UKVI. - ACT: 27 composite score, with a minimum 26 in English and Reading, plus at least 2 years of study in a US accredited institution or an institution accredited by a recognised body from a majority English speaking country as defined by the UKVI. - Advanced Placement English: Grade 3, plus at least 2 years of study in a US accredited institution or an institution accredited by a recognised body from a majority English speaking country as defined by the UKVI |
|
Kaplan Language for Study 3 (LS3) |
- 60 overall with no less than 60 in listening, and 55 in reading, writing and speaking |
|
Bellerbys Foundation: Academic English Skills |
- 60 overall with no less than 55 in each subtest |
|
CATS Foundation Year |
- 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 overall |