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Accepted English Language Tests and Qualifications

The information on this page relates to programmes with a start date of November 2024 or later. Click here for programmes with a start date of up to October 2024.

The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which a course of study is administered. See which English band each of our academic departments falls within to find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

We have a range of acceptable English tests and qualifications listed below categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency.   Queen Mary University of London approved English language tests must have been taken within the validity date stated, which is calculated against the proposed course start date.

 

If you are a national of any country NOT listed on UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list, we can only accept from you an English test (or qualification) from our approved list that can be verified by us at Queen Mary directly at source on the test (or qualification) provider’s verification portal.

UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list can be found under section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules.


Queen Mary University of London will consider the IELTS Academic test, the IELTS Online test, and the IELTS Indicator test to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below. For the standard IELTS test, we only accept the Academic test - either the standard or UKVI version - we do not accept the IELTS General test. We will accept IELTS One Skill Retake if scores achieved meet our English language requirements.  We normally only accept the latest results of an English test.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: IELTS minimum score 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 4: IELTS minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 3: IELTS minimum score 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 2: IELTS minimum score 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 1: IELTS minimum score 5.0 overall with 5.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition tests to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: TOEFL minimum score 100 overall with 21 in Writing, 19 in Reading, 18 in Listening and 21 in Speaking
Band 4: TOEFL minimum score 92 overall with 21 in Writing, 19 in Reading, 18 in Listening and 21 in Speaking
Band 3: TOEFL minimum score 79 overall with 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking
Band 2: TOEFL minimum score 72 overall with 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking
Band 1: TOEFL minimum score 62 overall with 16 in Writing, 16 in Reading, 15 in Listening and 19 in Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and Academic UKVI and Academic Online tests to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: PTE minimum score 76 overall with 65 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 4: PTE minimum score 71 overall with 65 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 3: PTE minimum score 65 overall with 59 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 2: PTE minimum score 59 overall with 59 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 1: PTE minimum score 55 overall with 55 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the College Board’s Advanced Placement test in English Language and Composition/English Literature and Composition to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum score of 4 out of 5 in English Language and Composition/English Literature and Composition
Band 4: A minimum score of 4 out of 5 in English Language and Composition/English Literature and Composition
Band 3: A minimum score of 3 out of 5 in English Language and Composition/English Literature and Composition
Band 2: A minimum score of 3 out of 5 in English Language and Composition/English Literature and Composition
Band 1: A minimum score of 3 out of 5 in English Language and Composition/English Literature and Composition

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the Austrian Reifeprufung/Matura to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A mark of 1 (sehr gut) in both written and oral examinations
Band 4: A mark of 2 (gut) in both written and oral examinations
Band 3: A mark of 2 (gut) in both written and oral examinations
Band 2: A mark of 2 (gut) in both written and oral examinations
Band 1: A mark of 2 (gut) in both written and oral examinations

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Bellerbys College Academic English Skills (AES) test to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum mark of 70% in Bellerbys AES test
Band 4: A minimum mark of 60% in Bellerbys AES test
Band 3: A minimum mark of 50% in Bellerbys AES test
Band 2: A minimum mark of 40% in Bellerbys AES test
Band 1: A minimum mark of 40% in Bellerbys AES test

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: C1 Advanced test minimum score 185 overall with 169 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 4: C1 Advanced test minimum score 176 overall with 169 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 3: C1 Advanced test minimum score 169 overall with 162 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 2: C1 Advanced test minimum score 162 overall with 162 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 1: C1 Advanced test minimum score 154 overall with 154 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: C2 Proficiency test minimum score 185 overall with 169 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 4: C2 Proficiency test minimum score 176 overall with 169 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 3: C2 Proficiency test minimum score 169 overall with 162 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 2: C2 Proficiency test minimum score 162 overall with 162 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 1: C2 Proficiency test minimum score 154 overall with 154 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English module from Canada High School Qualifications to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below, provided the qualifications are delivered in Canada. The English module mark required relates to Year 12 but all students must have also taken the English module in Year 11.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum mark of 75% in the grade 12 English module from all provinces (except Quebec and New Brunswick). All students from all provinces must have also studied English in year 11.

From Quebec and New Brunswick, we can consider a mark of 75% in the grade 12 English module only if students can additionally demonstrate the whole High School Qualification was taught and examined in English (and also studied English in year 11).

Band 4: A minimum mark of 65% in the grade 12 English module from all provinces (except Quebec and New Brunswick). All students from all provinces must have also studied English in year 11.

From Quebec and New Brunswick, we can consider a mark of 65% in the grade 12 English module only if students can additionally demonstrate the whole High School Qualification was taught and examined in English (and also studied English in year 11).

Band 3: A minimum mark of 65% in the grade 12 English module from all provinces (except Quebec and New Brunswick). All students from all provinces must have also studied English in year 11.

From Quebec and New Brunswick, we can consider a mark of 65% in the grade 12 English module only if students can additionally demonstrate the whole High School Qualification was taught and examined in English (and also studied English in year 11).

Band 2: A minimum mark of 65% in the grade 12 English module from all provinces (except Quebec and New Brunswick). All students from all provinces must have also studied English in year 11.

From Quebec and New Brunswick, we can consider a mark of 65% in the grade 12 English module only if students can additionally demonstrate the whole High School Qualification was taught and examined in English (and also studied English in year 11).

Band 1: A minimum mark of 60% in the grade 12 English module from all provinces (except Quebec and New Brunswick). All students from all provinces must have also studied English in year 11.

From Quebec and New Brunswick, we can consider a mark of 60% in the grade 12 English module only if students can additionally demonstrate the whole High School Qualification was taught and examined in English (and also studied English in year 11).

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the following English papers from the CIE iGCSE to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

  • English as a First Language (syllabus 0500)
Band 5: grade B/6 overall in the iGCSE English as a First Language. If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the elements of Speaking and Listening and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in each of these components. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.   
Band 4: grade C/4 overall in the iGCSE English as a First Language, If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the elements of Speaking and Listening and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in each of these components. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.
Band 3: grade C/4 overall in the iGCSE English as a First Language, If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the elements of Speaking and Listening and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in each of these components. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.
Band 2: grade C/4 overall in the iGCSE English as a First Language, If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the elements of Speaking and Listening and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in each of these components. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.
Band 1: grade C/4 overall in the iGCSE English as a First Language, If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the elements of Speaking and Listening and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in each of these components. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

  • English as a First Language (syllabus 0522)
Band 5: grade B/6 in the iGCSE English as a First Language.
Band 4: grade C/4 in the iGCSE English as a First Language.
Band 3: grade C/4 in the iGCSE English as a First Language.
 Band 2: grade C/4 in the iGCSE English as a First Language.
 Band 1: grade C/4 in the iGCSE English as a First Language.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

  • English as a Second Language (syllabus 0510)
Band 5: This qualification is not accepted for entry to programmes requiring Band 5
Band 4: grade B/6 overall in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the element of Speaking and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in this component. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.   
Band 3: grade B/6 overall in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the element of Speaking and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in this component. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.   
Band 2: grade B/6 overall in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the element of Speaking and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in this component. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.   
Band 1: grade B/6 overall in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, you will need to additionally demonstrate that you have taken the element of Speaking and have achieved a minimum of grade 2 in this component. This needs to be documented in your final ‘Certificate of Results’ or a ‘Supplementary Certifying Statement’ or any other official document from Cambridge International.   

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

  • English as a Second Language (syllabus 0511)
Band 5: This qualification is not accepted for entry to programmes requiring Band 5
Band 4: grade B/6 in the iGCSE English as a Second Language.
Band 3: grade B/6 in the iGCSE English as a Second Language.
Band 2: grade B/6 in the iGCSE English as a Second Language.
Band 1: grade B/6 in the iGCSE English as a Second Language.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the Danish Almen Studentereksamen (STX), Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF), Mekantil Studentereksamen (HHX), Teknisk Studentereksamen (HTX) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum mark of 10 in Writing and 10 in Oral.
Band 4: A minimum mark of 7 in Writing and 7 in Oral. 
Band 3: A minimum mark of 7 in Writing and 7 in Oral. 
Band 2: A minimum mark of 7 in Writing and 7 in Oral. 
Band 1: A minimum mark of 7 in Writing and 7 in Oral. 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the English component of the Voorbereidend Wetenshappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum mark of 9 (Zeer goed) in the English component.
Band 4: A minimum mark of 8 (goed) in the English component.
Band 3: A minimum mark of 8 (goed) in the English component.
Band 2: A minimum mark of 8 (goed) in the English component.
Band 1: A minimum mark of 8 (goed) in the English component.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the following English papers from the Edexcel iGCSE to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

  • Edexcel iGCSE English as a First Language, including Speaking and Listening
Band 5: grade B in the iGCSE English as a First Language, including Speaking and Listening. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Band 4: grade C in the iGCSE English as a First Language, including Speaking and Listening. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Band 3: grade C in the iGCSE English as a First Language, including Speaking and Listening. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Band 2: grade C in the iGCSE English as a First Language, including Speaking and Listening. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Band 1: grade C in the iGCSE English as a First Language, including Speaking and Listening. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

  • Edexcel iGCSE English as a Second Language
Band 5: grade A in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 
Band 4: grade B in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Band 3: grade B in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Band 2: grade B in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Band 1: grade B in the iGCSE English as a Second Language. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the European Baccalaureate to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum score of 7 in the English component of the European Baccalaureate
Band 4: A minimum score of 6.5 in the English component of the European Baccalaureate
Band 3: A minimum score of 6 in the English component of the European Baccalaureate

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

To be confirmed if accepting for 2025 entry. 

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 4: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 3: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 

Validity period: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 

To be confirmed if accepting for 2025 entry.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 4: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 3: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 

Validity period: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the 'English Language and Literature' module that is taken as part of the French Baccalaureate International Option provided it is the British or American version of this qualification to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum mark of 12 out of 20 in the English Language and Literature module
Band 4: A minimum mark of 12 out of 20 in the English Language and Literature module
Band 3: A minimum mark of 11 out of 20 in the English Language and Literature module

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the GCE A-Level/AS-Level English Language, or English Literature, or English Language & Literature to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade of B in GCE A-Level/AS-Level in English Language, English Literature or English language & Literature. 
Band 4: grade of C in GCE A-Level/AS-Level in English Language, English Literature or English language & Literature. 
Band 3: grade of C in GCE A-Level/AS-Level in English Language, English Literature or English language & Literature. 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the GCE O Level English to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade of B in GCE O Level English 
Band 4: grade of C in GCE O Level English 
Band 3: grade of C in GCE O Level English 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the GCE O Level English Language from the Cambridge International exam board to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

  • Candidates in Brunei must enter for subject 1120
  • Candidates in Mauritius must enter for subject 1125 or 1126
  • Candidates in Singapore must enter for subject 1128
  • Candidates elsewhere must enter for subject 1123

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade of B in English Language 
Band 4: grade of C in English Language 
Band 3: grade of C in English Language  

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade of B or 6 in GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature
Band 4: grade of C or 4 in GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature
Band 3: grade of C or 4 in GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the German Abitur to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A mark of 13 out of 15 in the English component of the German Abitur. 
Band 4: A mark of 12 out of 15 in the English component of the German Abitur. 
Band 3: A mark of 12 out of 15 in the English component of the German Abitur.
 Band 2: A mark of 12 out of 15 in the English component of the German Abitur.
 Band 1: A mark of 11 out of 15 in the English component of the German Abitur.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English core component of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A mark of Level 5 in the English core component of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education 
Band 4: A mark of Level 4 in the English core component of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education 
Band 3: A mark of Level 4 in the English core component of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
Band 2: A mark of Level 4 in the English core component of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
Band 1: A mark of Level 4 in the English core component of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Important note: If you are a national of any country NOT listed on UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list, we can only accept from you an English test (or qualification) from our approved list that can be verified by us at Queen Mary directly at source on the test (or qualification) provider’s verification portal. 

UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list can be found under section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the CBSE and ISC Indian Standard XII examinations to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum mark of 80% overall in the English component of the CBSE or ISC Indian Standard XII examinations.
Band 4: A minimum mark of 70% overall in the English component of the CBSE or ISC Indian Standard XII examinations.
Band 3: A minimum mark of 60% overall in the English component of the CBSE or ISC Indian Standard XII examinations.
Band 2: A minimum mark of 60% overall in the English component of the CBSE or ISC Indian Standard XII examinations.
Band 1: A minimum mark of 55% overall in the English component of the CBSE or ISC Indian Standard XII examinations.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the International Baccalaureate to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A minimum mark of 5 in English A at Higher or Standard Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or 5 in English B at Higher Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or 6 in English B at Standard Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. 
Band 4: A minimum mark of 4 in English A at Higher or Standard Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or 4 in English B at Higher Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or 5 in English B at Standard Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. 
Band 3: A minimum mark of 4 in English A at Higher or Standard Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or 4 in English B at Higher Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or 5 in English B at Standard Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider Higher Level English component of the Irish Leaving Certificate to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Irish Leaving Certificate awarded from 2017 onwards

Band 5: grade of H3 in the Higher Level English component of the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Band 4: grade of H4 in the Higher Level English component of the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Band 3: grade of H4 in the Higher Level English component of the Irish Leaving Certificate.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Irish Leaving Certificate awarded up until 2016

Band 5: grade of B2 in the Higher Level English component of the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Band 4: grade of C2 in the Higher Level English component of the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Band 3: grade of C2 in the Higher Level English component of the Irish Leaving Certificate.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Kaplan Test of English to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: Kaplan Test of English minimum score of 526 overall (Main Flight) with 470 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 4: Kaplan Test of English minimum score of 498 overall (Main Flight) with 470 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 3: Kaplan Test of English minimum score of 470 overall (Main Flight) with 425 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 2: Kaplan Test of English minimum score of 425 overall (Main Flight) with 425 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 1: Kaplan Test of English minimum score of 410 overall (Main Flight) with 410 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below. Please note that normally the relevant indicated grades (e.g. B or C) must be achieved, and therefore for example C- and B - (grades shown with a minus) will be considered a level below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade B in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) - English component

Band 4: grade B in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) - English component

Band 3: grade C in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) - English component 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Important note: If you are a national of any country NOT listed on UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list, we can only accept from you an English test (or qualification) from our approved list that can be verified by us at Queen Mary directly at source on the test (or qualification) provider’s verification portal. 

UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list can be found under section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the LanguageCert Academic English Test to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grades required for 2025 entry TBC
Band 4: grades required for 2025 entry TBC
Band 3: grades required for 2025 entry TBC
Band 2: grades required for 2025 entry TBC
Band 1: grades required for 2025 entry TBC

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

"Important note: If you are a national of any country NOT listed on UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list, we can only accept from you an English test (or qualification) from our approved list that can be verified by us at Queen Mary directly at source on the test (or qualification) provider’s verification portal. 

UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list can be found under section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules. [For 'Immigration Rules' insert hyperlink: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/appendix-student  ]"

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the GCE O level 1119 English Language that appeared in the Malaysian SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) and awarded in collaboration with the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below. This qualification can only be considered if awarded up to and including the year 2020.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade B in GCE O level 1119 English Language.
Band 4: grade C in GCE O level 1119 English Language.
Band 3: grade C in GCE O level 1119 English Language.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the Mauritius CIE Higher School Certificate to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade B in the English component
Band 4: grade C in the English component
Band 3: grade C in the English component

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the NCUK English to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: NCUK English with a minimum mark of 7.0
Band 4: NCUK English with a minimum mark of 6.5
Band 3: NCUK English with a minimum mark of 6.0
Band 2: NCUK English with a minimum mark of 5.5

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the NCUK English for Academic Purposes (EAP) module to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: NCUK EAP minimum grade A overall with C in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 4: NCUK EAP minimum grade B overall with C in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 3: NCUK EAP minimum grade C overall with D in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Band 2: NCUK EAP minimum grade D overall with D in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the Vitnemål for videregaende opplaering (VVO) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: A mark of 5 in the English component 
Band 4: A mark of 4 in the English component 
Band 3: A mark of 4 in the English component 
Band 2: A mark of 4 in the English component 
Band 1: A mark of 4 in the English component 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the National University of Singapore High School Diploma to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade A (grade point 4.5) in the English component from year 4, 5 or 6
Band 4: grade B (grade point 3.5) in the English component from year 4, 5 or 6
Band 3: grade B (grade point 3.5) in the English component from year 4, 5 or 6

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the On Campus Test of English (OCTOE) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: OCTOE minimum mark of 70% overall with 60% in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Band 4: OCTOE minimum mark of 65% overall with 60% in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Band 3: OCTOE minimum mark of 60% overall with 55% in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Band 2: OCTOE minimum mark of 55% overall with 55% in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Validity period: This test should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

  • Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language A (External assessment from 2018)
  • Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language B (External assessment from 2018)
  • Pearson Edexecl International GCSE English Literature (External assessment from 2019)

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: iGCSE with grade 6
Band 4: iGCSE with grade 5
Band 3: iGCSE with grade 4
Band 2: iGCSE with grade 4

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London offers a range of pre-sessional English Language courses,which provide excellent preparation for your future study.  If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses.  See Pre-sessional English course requirements. Further details on the application process can be found here.

Alternatively we will consider BALEAP accredited pre-sessional English language courses on a case by case basis.  Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking scores will be evaluated against our standard entry requirements.

Pre-sessional courses must have been completed no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

Queen Mary University of London will consider the SQA Higher/Advanced Higher English to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade B in SQA Higher/Advanced Higher English
Band 4: grade C in SQA Higher/Advanced Higher English
Band 3: grade C in SQA Higher/Advanced Higher English

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 7 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade B in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English. 
Band 4: grade C in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English. 
Band 3: grade C in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English. 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

To be confirmed if accepting for 2025 entry.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 4: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry
Band 3: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry

Validity period: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English component of the South African National Senior Certificate to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below. 

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade 5/B in the English component. 
Band 4: grade 4/C in the English component. 
Band 3: grade 4/C in the English component. 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Important note: If you are a national of any country NOT listed on UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list, we can only accept from you an English test (or qualification) from our approved list that can be verified by us at Queen Mary directly at source on the test (or qualification) provider’s verification portal. 

UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list can be found under section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules

TBC if accepting for 2025 entry

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 4: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 3: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 

Validity period: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE) to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below, provided the qualification is delivered in the USA. 

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 4: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 
Band 3: TBC if accepting for 2025 entry 

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course*

 

Queen Mary University of London will consider the Grade 12 level English module from the US High School Graduation Diploma to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below, provided the qualification is delivered in the USA. 

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade B or 80% in the Grade 12 level English module
Band 4: grade B or 80% in the Grade 12 level English module
Band 3: grade C or 75% in the Grade 12 level English module
Band 2: grade C- or 70% in the Grade 12 level English module
Band 1: grade C- or 70% in the Grade 12 level English module

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English Language component of the West African Senior School Certificate to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below. 

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade B3 in the English Language component.
Band 4: grade C5 in the English Language component.
Band 3: grade C5 in the English Language component. 
Band 2: grade C6 in the English Language component.
Band 1: grade C6 in the English Language component.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

"Important note: If you are a national of any country NOT listed on UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list, we can only accept from you an English test (or qualification) from our approved list that can be verified by us at Queen Mary directly at source on the test (or qualification) provider’s verification portal. 

UKVI’s ‘Differential evidence requirement for a Student’ list can be found under section ST 22.1 of the Immigration Rules

Queen Mary University of London will consider the English Language component of the West Indian Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate to satisfy our English language requirements, according to the English banding below.

Find the English band required for the course you wish to study.

Band 5: grade Two (II) in the English Language component. 
Band 4: grade Three (III) in the English Language component.
Band 3: grade Three (III) in the English Language component.
Band 2: grade Three (III) in the English Language component.
Band 1: grade Three (III) in the English Language component.

Validity period: This qualification should have been achieved no more than 5 years from the start date of your course**

* the validity period for this test will be extended to 5 years from the start date of the course for any of our programmes that are less than 6 months in duration (provided a Student visa is not required) or for our programmes delivered entirely by online study mode (excluding online delivered pre-sessional English courses)

** this qualification will not have a validity period for any of our programmes that are less than 6 months in duration (provided a Student visa is not required) or for our programmes delivered entirely by online study mode (excluding online delivered pre-sessional English courses)

Important Notes

Student Visa Regulations

If you will require a Student visa to study any of courses higher than level 3 (e.g. Bachelor Degrees or Masters Degrees), you must meet the minimum English Language requirements to meet the UKVI regulations (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in each of Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening and the overall score).  However, note that many of our courses require higher grades.

Pre-sessional English Language Courses

If you fall below our standard English Language requirements, you may consider one of our Pre-sessional English courses. See Pre-sessional English course requirements. Please note that you will require a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for entry to our Pre-sessional English courses (unless you qualify for a joint CAS for the 5 and 9 week Pre-sessional courses). Only IELTS Academic for UKVI, PTE Academic (UKVI), and Trinity ISE are accepted as SELT tests.

UK Qualifications at Majority English Speaking Countries

Two years of A-Level or BTEC study successfully completed in a Majority English Speaking Country (MESC as defined by UKVI) will automatically be accepted for entry, provided that it has been completed within five years of the proposed programme start date and delivered at the MESC.

Degrees from Majority English Speaking Countries

If you hold a degree from a majority English speaking country (MESC as defined by UKVI), provided we recognise the degree and deem it equivalent to UK degree, you may use this degree to satisfy the English language requirements for entry if it was delivered within the MESC.  Such degrees must have sufficient minimum years of study.  Canadian (or MESC) nationals with degrees delivered and awarded in Canada will be considered under this category. All other degree holders, including those with MESC degrees delivered outside of MESC, must meet English Language requirements with a Queen Mary approved English language test or qualification.

Recent use of English in employment

If you have at least one year of recent employment using English as the main language of communication, we can consider on an individual basis a letter from your employer confirming your English language proficiency in all four component scores provided you additionally have a Queen Mary approved English language test (with the required scores) outside the standard validity period.

Professional Registration

We will accept evidence of current full registration with a licence to practise the General Medical Council, General Dental Council or General Pharmaceutical Council in lieu of an English language qualification. Licence to practise or re-registration with a licence to practise must have been obtained within the past 5 years to be considered valid.

For further queries regarding acceptable English language qualifications, please contact the Admissions team directly via email to pgtadmissions@qmul.ac.uk. 

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