How to demonstrate your English language level

There are a number of different ways you may be able to demonstrate your English language level, for example, by your nationality, with a degree taught in a majority English-speaking country or with an approved English language qualification or test. Which of these you may be able to use will depend on the course you are going to be studying and whether or not you will need to apply for a Student visa and can meet the UKVI requirements.

Please read the information below carefully to see if you can meet the English Language requirements for your course.

Acceptable English language tests for direct entry to UG/PGT and PGR courses at Edge Hill University

The scores listed below are standard scores for the different programmes but please check with your department as they may ask for higher scores. Please check individual websites for more information and test fees.

Please note that your test certificate must be within its period of validity – for example, IELTS certificates are valid for two years.

Demonstrating your English language level using a qualification from a ‘majority English-speaking’ country

You can demonstrate your English Language level by providing a UK degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) or an academic qualification that is equivalent to a UK degree (this needs to be confirmed by UK NARIC) that was taught in any 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; USA.

Demonstrating your English language level with your nationality

You can also demonstrate your English Language level by providing your passport showing you are a national of Canada or any of the countries in the list above.

What if you do not currently meet the English language level for your course?

You may be able to do a pre-sessional course before your chosen main course in order to improve your English language to the required level.

Pre-sessional Academic English course (6 weeks)

If you have an unconditional offer for your main course, except for your English language level, then you may be able to do a pre-sessional course to meet the English language requirement. If you need to apply for a Student visa, we can give you a joint CAS to cover both the pre-sessional course and your main course – if you meet all the other UKVI requirements.

Your overall IELTS score cannot be more than 0.5 lower than the overall requirement for direct entry onto your course, and each element also cannot be more than 0.5 lower than the requirement for each element for direct entry onto your course.

• • Example 1: Undergraduate
    To get a joint CAS for the pre-sessional course followed by an Undergraduate degree, you would need a UKVI SELT (Secure English Language Test) with an IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of at least 5.5, and no element below 5.0
    OR
    A non-SELT IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of at least 5.5, and no element below 5.5
  • Example 2: Postgraduate Taught
    To get a joint CAS for the pre-sessional course followed by a Postgraduate Taught degree (e.g. a Masters), you would need a UKVI SELT (Secure English Language Test) with an IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of at least 6.0, and no element below 5.5
  • Example 3: Postgraduate Research
    To get a joint CAS  for the pre-sessional course followed by a Postgraduate Research degree, you would need a UKVI SELT (Secure English Language Test) with an IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of at least 6.5, and no element below 6.0

For information on IELTS test fees, please check with the relevant test centre. Test fees vary from country to country, but the test fee is approximately £200. The latest information on IELTS preparation, test fees and registration can be found on the IELTS website

The Pre-sessional course enables students to raise their overall English language proficiency and learn important academic skills before joining their main course.

The Pre-sessional provides an orientation to the campus and its learning facilities.

The Language Centre assess all four skills and provides a report on exit. The Edge Hill Pre-sessional course is 6 weeks and details can be found on the Language Centre website.

Acceptable English language tests for entry to below degree level programmes

If you are applying for a course below degree level (such as the Pre-sessional English course or International Foundation Programme), a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) is required.

SELTs are taken in person in a UKVI-approved secure English language testing centre.

Please note that IELTS, Pearson and Trinity ISE SELTs are only valid for two years after the test date.

For Pre-sessional entry, please check the specific entry requirements for your main course, and then refer to the Pre-sessional entry requirements table below. The scores listed below are standard scores for the different programmes but please check with your department as they may ask for higher scores.

Acceptable English language tests for entry to the Pre-sessional course at Edge Hill University

International Foundation Programme English Language Entry Requirements

For details on the difference between Route A and Route B, please visit the International Foundation Year course page.

Other English language qualifications accepted at EHU

The qualifications in this list are acceptable for undergraduate entry with the scores stated. If you are a postgraduate student, please note that a higher score may be required by your department.

Edge Hill University reserves the right to ask the applicant to provide further evidence of English language proficiency in the form of a UKVI accepted Secure English Language Test (SELT) if an applicant has taken one of the qualifications below a long time ago and has not used English in a work or study environment.

If you have an English language qualification which does not appear in the list below, please contact the International Admissions Team at [email protected]