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).
If invited to interview, your interviewer will be assessing your English language skills as well as your academic ability and their assessment will be passed onto your Cambridge College. Therefore, you may be asked to achieve one of the formal qualifications listed below as part of the conditions of your offer:
- IELTS Academic* – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element, achieved in one sitting.
- 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.
A good standard in spoken and written English is also expected at the time of interview and, to be competitive, overseas applicants should be able to comfortably achieve the minimum English Language requirements listed above at the time of interview.
The University Language Centre runs an Academic Development and Training for International Students (ADTIS) programme for students who aren't native English speakers. Designed to help improve English language and academic skills relevant to the course through workshops and individual supervisions, attendance at the programme may be included as a condition of an offer.
* For some visa types, UK Visas & Immigration require a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI (Academic). However, Cambridge, with its Trusted Sponsor status, 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.