English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your English language skills. Specific English language requirements are listed on each individual course page. Here we give you an overview of the English language qualifications we accept.
Secure English language tests
The UK Government approves certain English language qualifications as being Secure English Language Tests (SELT). These meet the government’s requirements for visa applications. View the full list of approved SELT.
English language qualifications
We’re also able to accept English language qualifications that are not on the approved SELT list for entry. Please note that this applies only to undergraduate or postgraduate level courses.
What qualifications do we accept?
We’ll continue to accept all of the English language qualifications listed below, this includes all IELTS qualifications:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE)
- Internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language Test (IBT TOEFL)
- INTO English Language Assessment (IELA)
Any English language qualification should have been taken, typically, within two years of the University of Stirling course start date.
We consider the following as equivalent test scores:
- IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 with minimum of 162 in each skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 with minimum 162 in each skill
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) 54 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL 80 with no subtest less than 17
- IELA 169 with no subtest less than 162
- IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 with minimum of 162 in each skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 with minimum 162 in each skill
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) 60 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL 90 with no subtest less than 17
- IELA 176 with no subtest less than 162
- IELTS 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 with minimum of 169 in each skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 with minimum 169 in each skill
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) 60 with 56 in each component
- IBT TOEFL 90 with no subtest less than 20
- IELA 176 with no subtest less than 169
- IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.5 in reading and writing and a minimum 6.0 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 with 176 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 with 180 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) 60 with a minimum 60 in reading and writing and minimum 56 in speaking and listening
- IBT TOEFL 90 with minimum 23 in reading and writing and minimum 20 in speaking and listening
- IELA 176 with minimum 169 in reading and writing and minimum 176 in speaking and listening
- IELTS 7.0 overall
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 185 with no skill less than 162
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 185 with 162 in each skill
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) 67 with a minimum of 55 in each component
- IBT TOEFL 100 with no-subtest lower than 20
- IELA 185 with no subtest less than 169
Waiving an English language condition
If you’re a national from a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UK government), we’ll waiver our English language requirements. These countries are:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
If you’re a postgraduate student, we may waiver an English language condition if you can provide evidence that your undergraduate degree was taught and examined fully in English.
We’ll also waive the need for a formal English language qualification if you meet certain criteria, depending on whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student. For more detailed information on when we’ll waiver an English language requirement please go to the following pages:
Any questions about English language requirements?
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