International

English Language Requirements

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.

DegreesIELTS requirement
BA + BSc Degrees IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill
LLB programmesIELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill
MPharm PharmacyIELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill
MPharm Pharmacy with Foundation YearIELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill
MA, MSc + MBA DegreesIELTS 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 ArchitectureIELTS 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 DegreesIELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill
BSc MidwiferyIELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each skill
BSc Nursing (all courses) IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each skill
BA Social WorkIELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 6.5 in each skill
BA Sociology and CriminologyIELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill
BSc Sociology and PsychologyIELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 5.5 in each skill
BSc Speech and Language TherapyIELTS 8.0 overall with minimum 7.5 in each skill
MSc Nursing (all courses)IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each skill
MA Social WorkIELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 6.5 in each skill
MSc Interprofessional Healthcare SimulationIELTS 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:17

72 overall with no less than: 
Reading:18 
Listening:17 
Speaking:20 
Writing:17

82 overall with no less than: 
Reading:18 
Listening:17 
Speaking:20 
Writing:17

92 overall with no less than: 
Reading:18 
Listening:17 
Speaking:20 
Writing:17

Trinity College

ISE II as evidence of all skills in English (B2)

ISE II as evidence of all skills in English (B2)

ISE II as evidence of all skills in English (B2)

ISE III as evidence of all skills in English (C1)

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/Equivalent

CARIBEEAN/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 above

CYPRUS

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, Uttarakhand

IRELAND

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 requirements

KENYA

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/Equivalent

NIGERIA

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 skillOIETC 6 overall, minimum 5 in each skill
IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each skillOIETC 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.