A guide to UK universities’ English language requirements

Are you looking to study a masters degree with a UK university, but not quite sure if your English language skills are up to standard?

Depending on the university and the course you’re interested in, you’ll need to prove you meet these requirements through a variety of tests. These requirements will usually include a minimum overall score in each test, as well as minimum scores in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Here are some of the most common English language tests UK universities will need you to take to prove you meet their English language requirements:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The IELTS is widely-recognised around the world as an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers.

The test uses a 9-band scale to clearly identify levels of English language proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).

The IELTS covers four language skills:

1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Speaking
4. Listening

You need to take the test at an IELTS test centre. The total test time is around 2 hours and 45 minutes.

You can find out more about the IELTS and book a test online.

• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

The PTE Academic is one of the latest English language tests to be introduced. It’s most commonly aimed at students who want to study with UK universities at undergraduate, postgraduate or MBA level.

PTE Academic prides itself on being “the most unbiased English test”, since it’s graded using Artificial Intelligence – in other words, it’s graded by computers, not humans.

Like the IELTS, the PTE Academic also covers four basic language skills:

1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Speaking
4. Listening

During the test, you’ll come across 20 different question formats, ranging from multiple choice through to essay writing and interpreting information.

The test assesses your real-life, academic English skills. So you’ll hear a range of accents during the test, from British and American to non-native English, preparing you for the types of accents you’ll encounter in everyday life.

The PTE Academic Score Report includes your overall score (on a scale of 10-90 points), communicative skills scores (each on a scale of 10-90 points) and enabling skills scores (each on a scale of 10-90 points).

You need to take the test at a secure Pearson test centre. The test takes about three hours.

You can find out more about the PTE Academic and book a test online.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The TOEFL is one of the most popular internationally-recognised standardised English language tests for non-native speakers looking to use and understand English at university level.

As with the IELTS and PTE Academic, the TOEFL also tests your English language proficiency in four key areas:

1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Speaking
4. Listening

Once you’ve completed the test, you’ll receive an individual score in each of these four areas, as well as an overall score (on a scale of 0-120).

You can take the TOEFL test at a test centre. It takes about three hours.

You can find out more about the TOEFL and book a test online.

Can't get to a test centre?

For Queen Mary Online courses starting in 2022, there are at-home English Language requirement tests being accepted: