English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your English language skills. Below is an overview of the English language tests we can accept for entry in September 2025 or January 2026.

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’ve completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of the following countries in the past five years, or are from one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, the United States of America.

You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of Canada.

We can accept other local qualifications to evidence your English language, depending on whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student:

Secure English Language Tests (SELT)

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.

As a recognised UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)-approved sponsor, the University of Stirling is also able to make its own assessment of each applicant's English language ability for degree-level study and does not need to base the assessment on a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).

We are therefore able to accept the following tests, for both undergraduate and postgraduate study, if studied within two years of your course start date. Individual courses may have additional specific requirements. English language requirements are listed on each individual course page.

Qualification	Typical English Language Requirement
IELTS Academic for UKVI, IELTS Academic, or IELTS Academic Online	6.0 with no sub-skill below 5.5	6.5 with no sub-skill below 6.0	7.0 with no sub-skills below 6.0
Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) Academic (in-centre test only)	60 overall with 59 in each sub-skill	62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill	67 overall with 60 in each sub-skill
IBT TOEFL (internet based or Special Home Edition), including MyBest Scores	78 overall 18 in reading 17 in writing 17 in listening 20 in speaking	80 overall 18 in reading 23 in writing 19 in listening 21 in speaking	94 overall 18 in reading 23 in writing 19 in listening 21 in speaking
Trinity	ISE II pass overall with a pass in each sub-skill, ISE III pass overall and pass in all sub-skills, ISE IV pass overall and pass in all sub-skills	ISE II pass overall and merit in each sub-skill, ISE III pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV pass overall and in all sub-skills	ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)	169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill	176 overall with a minimum 169 in each sub-skill	185 overall with a minimum of 169 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE)	180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill	180 overall with a minimum 169 in each sub-skill	185 overall with a minimum of 169 in each sub-skill
Aptis (4 skills)	CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills	CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills	CEFR C1 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
LanguageCert Academic SELT	LanguageCert Academic SELT with 65 overall and no less than 60 in each sub-skill	LanguageCert Academic SELT with 70 overall and no less than 65 in each sub-skill	LanguageCert Academic SELT with 75 overall and no less than 65 in each sub-skill
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 33 in each sub-skill	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 38 in each sub-skill	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 with a minimum of 33 in each sub-skill
Oxford Test of English (OUP) (in-centre test only)	CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills	CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills	CEFR C1 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
PSI/SQA Skills for English (SELT) and PSI/SQA Skills for English (Global)	B2 Pass	B2 Pass with Merit	C1 Pass
Oxford ELLT Digital or Global Book your Oxford ELLT Digital or Global test via this link and use the codes below for a discount Discount codes: UOS10 – 10% discount (£108 from £120)	6 overall with no sub-skill below 5	7 overall with no sub-skill below 6	8 overall with no sub-skill below 6

Need help improving your English?

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements, our pre-sessional English courses can help you progress onto your degree. Delivered on campus by the University of Stirling International Study Centre, you’ll be able to access expert training and language support.

Pre-sessional English language courses

Contact us

If you have specific questions about your qualifications then please email our International recruitment team at international@stir.ac.uk.