If English isn't your first language, it's essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to undertake an intensive and challenging academic course that's taught and examined in English (please also refer to the information about the structure of our courses, and how you're taught and assessed in the courses section of this website).
Throughout the admissions process, Admissions Tutors will be assessing your English language skills as well as your academic ability. You may be asked to achieve one of the formal qualifications listed below as part of the conditions of an offer:1
- IELTS Academic2 – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element, achieved in one sitting
- TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT)3 – normally a minimum overall score of 110, with 25 or above in each element
- EU students – a high grade in English taken as part of a leaving exam (eg the European/French Baccalaureate, Abitur etc) may be acceptable
- Cambridge English: Advanced – grade A or B
- Cambridge English: Proficiency – grade A, B or C
- Singapore Integrated Programme (SIP) – may be considered an acceptable English language qualification
In some cases, a College may include a requirement to attend a language support programme – such as the Language Centre's Academic Development and Training for International Students (ADTIS) programme or a College-provided course – as a condition of an offer, instead of one of the above qualifications.
A good standard in spoken and written English is also expected at the time of interview and, to be competitive, you should be able to comfortably achieve the minimum English language requirements listed above at the time of interview.
1 If you're not taking one of these language qualifications but are regularly being taught in English, please seek advice from a College admissions office.
2 For some visa types, UK Visas and Immigration requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI (Academic). However, in accordance with Tier 4 policy, as Cambridge is an HEI it is able to accept other English Language qualifications it deems suitable when sponsoring Tier 4 student visas so a SELT is not necessary and the standard IELTS Academic test is acceptable.
3 Acceptable as an alternative if you're unable to offer IELTS.