To join the University of Greenwich as an international student, alongside your academic qualifications, you will also need to meet the university’s English language requirements, which vary depending on the course you have applied for.
There are several ways that you can do this, such as holding a passport from certain countries, completing certain degrees in English, having done English as part of your high school qualifications, or completing an English language test. You can find out the specific qualifications that we can accept on the dropdowns below.
Below are the English language qualification requirements
IELTS
The most widely available and commonly held English language qualification by international students is the IELTS test, run by the British Council. If you do not hold a valid English language qualification before you apply to study with us, any offer we make will be conditional on you achieving a required IELTS score. IELTS One Skill retake is accepted. Please note the expiry date is based on the original test not the retake.
The score you need depends on the course you have applied for. The requirements by faculty are set out in the tables below, with any exceptions included as individual courses.
Degrees IELTS requirement BA + BSc Degrees IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill LLB programmes IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill MPharm Pharmacy IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill MPharm Pharmacy with Foundation Year IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill MA, MSc + MBA Degrees IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill MPhil + PhD (Faculty of Engineering & Science) IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each skill MPhil + PhD (all other faculties) IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.5 in each skill Except BA Architecture IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill BA Criminology and Criminal Justice IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill BA Criminology and Criminal Psychology IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill BA English Language and English Language Teaching (ELT) IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill BA + BSc Extended Degrees IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill BSc Midwifery IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each skill BSc Nursing (all courses) IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 6.5 in each skill BA Social Work IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each skill BA Sociology and Criminology IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill BSc Sociology and Psychology IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill BSc Speech and Language Therapy IELTS 8.0 overall with minimum 7.5 in each skill MSc Nursing (all courses) IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 6.5 in each skill MA Social Work IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 6.5 in each skill MSc Interprofessional Healthcare Simulation IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each skill Other accepted English tests
Test
IELTS 5.5 equivalent
IELTS 6.0 equivalent
IELTS 6.5 equivalent
IELTS 7.0 equivalent
Cambridge First, Advanced or Proficiency (post-2015)
162 overall with no less than 162 in each skill
169 overall with no less than 162 in each skill
176 overall with no less than 162 in each skill
N/A
Duolingo (tests dated 01/07/2024 onwards only)
100 overall with no less than 100 in each skill
115 overall with no less than 100 in each skill
125 overall with no less than 100 in each skill
135 overall with no less than 100 in each skill
Euroexam General English C1
N/A
Distinction
Distinction
Distinction
European Baccalaureate (English 1 or 2)
N/A
Grade 6.0
Grade 7.0
Grade 7.0
Functional Skills English Level 2
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
GCSE/IGCSE/O Level English (as a first or second language)
Grade C/4 (unless stated otherwise)
Grade C/4 (unless stated otherwise)
Grade C/4 (unless stated otherwise)
Grade C/4 (unless stated otherwise)
Holmes Language Assessment
B2 with no section less than B2
B2+ with no section less than B2
C1 with no section less than B2
N/A
International Baccalaureate English A (standard or higher)
Grade 4
Grade 4
Grade 4
Grade 4
International Baccalaureate English B (standard or higher)
Grade 5
Grade 5
Grade 5
Grade 5
International English Language Competency Assessment
minimum score of 30
minimum score of 35
minimum score of 40
minimum score of 45
INTO Foundation Programmes
55% overall with 50% in each skill
60% overall with 50% in each skill
65% overall with 50% in each skill
70% overall with 50% in each skill
Kaplan Foundation and Pre-Masters
Minimum score of 55 overall and 55 in each skill
Minimum score of 60 overall and 55 in each skill
Minimum score of 65 overall and 55 in each skill
Minimum score of 70 overall and 55 in each skill
KTE (Kaplan Test of English)
Minimum score of 425 overall and 425 in each skill
Minimum score of 458 overall and 425 in each skill
Minimum score of 494 overall and 425 in each skill
Minimum score of 526 overall and 425 in each skill
LanguageCert Academic SELT
B2 with a minimum of 60 in each skill
B2 with a minimum of 60 in each skill
B2 with a minimum of 60 in each skill
C1 with a minimum of 75 in each skill
ONCAMPUS Foundation Programmes
Complete OCTOE with 55% overall and no less than 50% in any component
Complete OCTOE with 60% overall and no less than 50% in any component
Complete OCTOE with 65% overall and no less than 50% in any component
Complete OCTOE with 70% overall and no less than 50%u in any component
Oxford International English Language Level Test (not available to Bangladesh)
5 with no less than 5 in each skill
6 with no less than 5 in each skill
7 with no less than 5 in each skill
8 with no less than 5 in each skill
Oxford International Foundation and Pre-Masters
N/A
Pass English component with 40% in all skills (International Year 0 and International Year 1)
Pass English component with 50% in all skills (International Incorporated Masters)
N/A
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) - In Person only
51 with no less than 51 in each skill
59 with no less than 51 in each skill
63 with no less than 51 in each skill
67 with no less than 51 in each skill
Scottish National Grade 5 or Intermediate Grade 2
Grade C
Grade C
Grade C
Grade C
Study Group Foundation Programmes
55% with no less than 55% in any skill
60% with no less than 55% in any skill
65% with no less than 55% in any skill
N/A
TOEFL IBT - In Person only
62 overall with no less than:
Reading:18
Listening:17
Speaking:20
Writing:1772 overall with no less than:
Reading:18
Listening:17
Speaking:20
Writing:1782 overall with no less than:
Reading:18
Listening:17
Speaking:20
Writing:1792 overall with no less than:
Reading:18
Listening:17
Speaking:20
Writing:17Trinity College
80 in all 4 skills
ISE II with pass in all 4 skills
90 in all 4 skills
ISE II with merit in all 4 skills
96 in all 4 skills
ISE II with distinction in all 4 skills
105 in all 4 skills
ISE III with pass in all 4 skills
Country-specific equivalents
Country
English waiver details
AUSTRIA
Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis 2.0 or better in English when both written and oral exams have been passed
BELGIUM
Diplôme d'Aptitude à Accéder à l'Enseignement Supérieur or Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs/Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts with 75% or better in English
BOTSWANA
BGCSE/IGCSE Grade C English
BULGARIA
Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie (Completed Diploma of Secondary Education) of Grade 5 in English in State Examinations
CAMEROON
Cameroon GCSE English Grade C
CANADA
Nationals of Canada are exempt from IELTS as nationals of an English majority speaking country
Quebec Only: Pass Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) with minimum score 3.0. or IELTS/EquivalentCARIBEEAN/WEST INDIES
Nationals of + graduates of a bachelor/masters degree from countries listed below are exempt from IELTS: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago
OR
Carribean Secondary Education Certificate English grade 3 or aboveCYPRUS
Apolytirion grade 18 or better in English
CZECHIA
Vysvědčení o Maturitní Zkoušce (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) grade 2.0 or better in English
DENMARK
grade 9 or better in English in the final examinations of Bevis for Almen Studentereksamen (STX) and Bevis for Hojere Forberedelseseksamen (HF)
FINLAND
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen grade 5 or better in English
FRANCE
France-Baccalaureat grade 14 in English or better
GAMBIA
WAEC/NECO C6 or above in English
GERMANY
Abitur grade 12/2.0 in English or above
GHANA
WAEC/NECO C6 or above in English
GREECE
Apolytirion grade 18 or better in English
HUNGARY
grade of 4 or better in English from Érettségi Bizonyítvány
HONG KONG
HKDSE grade 3 or better in English
ICELAND
Matriculation Examination (Stúdentspróf) grade 7 or better in English
INDIA
70% in Standard XII English*
*Must be within 7 years of intake if from Regional Board
*Must be within 10 years of intake if from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
No Standard XII waiver from Regional Boards Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, UttarakhandIRELAND
Nationals of Ireland are exempt from IELTS as nationals of an English majority speaking country
For Non-Irish Nationals: Irish Leaving Certificate - O4 or H4 and above or equivalent
Otherwise, standard UG IELTS requirementsKENYA
KCSE grade A-D in English
KOSOVO
Diploma for High School Graduation grade 4 or better in English
LATVIA
Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib grade 8 or better in English
LITHUANIA
Brandos Atestatas grade 8 or better in English
MALAYSIA
SPM B2 CEFR English grade A-C or UEC English grade A1-C8 or 1119 English Grade C or better
MALTA
grade C in English in Secondary Certificate/Matriculation Certificate Examination (MCE) with grade C
MAURITIUS
HEI confirms English if Grade C obtained in Cambridge School Certificate/O Level
MOLDOVA
Baccalaureate Diploma grade of 8 or better in English
MONTENEGRO
Secondary School Leaving Diploma/Vocational Exam Diploma with grade of 4 or better in English
NEPAL
Higher Secondary Education Board (XII, Plus 2) English
IELTS 5.5: B in XII (Plus 2) English
IELTS 6.0: B+ in XII (Plus 2) English
IELTS 6.5: B+ in XII (Plus 2) English
IELTS 7.0: grade A in XII (Plus 2) English
Must be within 7 years of intake
NETHERLANDS
grade of 8 or better in English with Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
NEW ZEALAND
Nationals of New Zealand + graduates of a bachelor/masters degree from New Zealand are exempt from IELTS
For Non-New Zealanders: Complete National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 2 in English with Pass or IELTS/EquivalentNIGERIA
WAEC/NECO C6 or above in English
NORWAY
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 4 in English
POLAND
Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura 80% in English
PORTUGAL
Diploma de Ensino Secundario grade 14 in English
ROMANIA
Diploma De Bacalaureat grade B2 in English in all five components
SINGAPORE
GCSE / O Level English grade C or better
SLOVAKIA
Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej grade 2 in English or better
SOUTH AFRICA
Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate grade 5/C
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka A Level: for equivalents IELTS 5.5: Grade C, IELTS 6.0: Grade B. IELTS 6.5: Grade B, IELTS 7.0: Grade B
Sri Lanka O Level (must be dated within 7 years of intake): for equivalents IELTS 5.5: Grade C, IELTS 6.0: Grade B, IELTS 6.5: Grade B, IELTS 7.0: Grade A
ESWATINI (fka SWAZILAND)
SGCSE English A*-C
SWEDEN
Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk grade C in English
TANZANIA
CSE English Grade C
UGANDA
HEI confirms English with UCE grades 1-6 equivalent to GCSE grades A-C
UKRAINE
Secondary School Diploma (new system only) grade 10 in English, may be exempt from IELTS
USA
Nationals of USA exempt from IELTS
For Non-USA Nationals completing US High School Diploma in the USA, English can be met by passing one of the following modules at Grade 12: Communication, Composition, Fiction, Journalism, Language, Literature, Poetry, Shakespeare, Writers, Writing or similar.ZAMBIA
ZSC English grade C or better
ZIMBABWE
ZGCSE English grade C or better
Alternative English exemptions
- If you are a national of a majority English speaking country (as defined by UKVI) you can be exempted from providing proof of English proficiency
- If you have previously completed a full bachelor's or master's degree entirely in English in a majority English speaking country (as defined by UKVI) then you can be exempted from providing proof of English proficiency
- If you have previously completed a degree from a UK university (either in full or as a top up) then you can be exempted from providing proof of English proficiency
Pre-Sessional English course
If you already took an IELTS test but did not achieve score we require, we offer Pre-Sessional English programmes, which helps you to ‘top up’ your IELTS score. We offer various options depending on the score you have achieved and the level your course requires. See the requirements for the programme.
Please note if you want to study a pre-sessional English course, if your IELTS has any skills below 5.5, it must be a UKVI approved IELTS test in order for us to accept you onto our pre-sessional English programme. A UKVI approved test is required by the UKVI in order to sponsor a visa application for any pre-sessional English programme.
English language test partner
We have teamed up with our long-term academic partner, Oxford International Education Group, to offer students the chance to take an online entry test in place of an IELTS, if you are not able to take one.
This test can be taken online and is available for students who hold an offer to study with us. The score you require from this test relates to the IELTS requirement of your chosen programme of study, listed above. The table below shows the required score you must meet from the Oxford ELLT.
Once you have completed the Oxford ELLT, the result will be emailed to you directly, and you must forward the result to us at international@gre.ac.uk to confirm your requirement has been met.
Please note that if you are a national of Bangladesh, then you are not able to take this test as an IELTS waiver.
IELTS requirement OIETC equivalent requirement IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill OIETC 6 overall, minimum 5 in each skill IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each skill OIETC 7 overall, minimum 5 in each skill Use discount code UOG10 to receive a 10% discount when you purchase the Oxford ELLT test
If you already have an offer to study with us and think you might have an English language qualification that could be considered, please email us at international@gre.ac.uk attaching a copy of your qualification.