International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their competence in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy the UK Border Agency (UKBA) immigration requirements for English language before the University can issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for visa purposes.
Applicants who are either nationals of a country which is deemed by the UKBA to be majority-English-speaking*, or who hold a degree or an equivalent qualification which was taught in a country deemed to be majority-English-speaking** will normally be assumed to have met the UKBA requirements. However, however in some circumstances, applicants may be required to submit evidence of an English Language qualification to satisfy University course entry requirements.
EU nationals will not be required to submit evidence of English language for visa purposes, but may be asked for evidence of English competency to satisfy University course entry requirements. The table below lists the English Language qualifications and minimum grades which are accepted by the University for entry to degree level study, and which are also considered to satisfy a minimum standard of CEFR Level B2 in each component of language learning (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing).
Please consult the University Coursefinder for details of the English Language requirements for entry to individual undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
* You are from a majority English-speaking country if you are a national of:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America
** If you have completed an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree which was taught in one of the majority English-speaking countries listed below, you are normally exempt from additional English language requirements:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, The United Kingdom, United States of America
Accepted English Language Qualifications |
| Qualifications | Linguistically less demanding courses | Most Courses | Linguistically more demanding courses |
| IELTS International English Language Testing System - Academic | 6.0 with minimum of 5.5 in all four elements of the test | 6.5 minimum of 5.5 in all four elements of the test | 7.0 with minimum of 5.5 in all four elements of the test |
| TOEFL iBT (Internet based test) | 80 with minimum marks as follows: Listening- 17 Reading - 18 Speaking - 20 Writing - 17 |
90 with minimum marks as follows: Listening - 17 Reading - 18 Speaking - 20 Writing - 17 |
95 with minimum marks as follows: Listening - 17 Reading - 18 Speaking - 20 Writing - 17 |
Please note that some degree programmes may require higher scores in the individual sub-skill components of IELTS and TOEFL tests. Please check the Coursefinder for specific programme requirements. The following table may be used as a guide.
| IELTS International English Language Testing System - Academic | 7.0 with minimum of 6.0 in all four elements of the test | 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all four elements of the test | 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 of all four elements of the test | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 5.5 in Reading and Writing |
| TOEFL iBT (Internet based test) | 95 with minimum marks as follows: Listening - 20 Reading - 19 Speaking - 21 Writing - 20 |
95 with minimum marks as follows: Listening - 23 Reading - 21 Speaking - 22 Writing - 23 |
90 with minimum marks as follows: Listening - 20 Reading - 19 Speaking - 21 Writing - 20 |
90 with minimum marks as follows: Listening - 20 Reading - 18 Speaking - 21 Writing - 17 |
Other English Language qualifications may be accepted by the University in lieu of IELTS or TOEFL ibt.
Other UKBA Approved Tests |
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Qualification |
Comparable to IELTS 6.0 |
Comparable to IELTS 6.5 |
Comparable to IELTS 7.0 |
| CPE Cambridge Proficiency |
Grade C | Grade C | Grade C |
| CAE Cambridge Advanced |
Minimum of 60% (Grade C) overall and 50% or higher in test elements | Minimum of 60% (Grade C) overall and 50% or higher in test elements | Minimum of 75% (Grade B) overall and 50% or higher in test elements |
|
City & Guilds International ESOL (IESOL) Diploma |
Pass at Level C1 or C2 in Listening, Reading and Writing report, and Pass in separate Speaking report | Pass at Level C1 or C2 in Listening, Reading and Writing report, and Pass in separate Speaking report | Pass at Level C1 or C2 in Listening, Reading and Writing report, and Pass in separate Speaking report |
| IGCSE in English (as a first language) Syllabus 0522* | Grade C or higher in all components | Grade C or higher in all components | Grade C or higher in all components |
| IGCSE in English (as a first language) Syllabus 0500* | Grade C in all components with Grade 2 in Speaking and Listening components | Grade C in all components with Grade 2 in Speaking and Listening components | Grade C in all components with Grade 2 in Speaking and Listening components |
| IGCSE in English (as a second language) Syllabus 0510 with separate Oral Endorsement* | Grade B in Reading and Writing, Grade A in Listening, and Oral Endorsement Grade 2 | Grade B in Reading and Writing, Grade A in Listening, and Oral Endorsement Grade 2 | Grade B in Reading and Writing, Grade A in Listening, and Oral Endorsement Grade 2 |
| IGCSE in English (as a second language) Syllabus 0511 with Count-in Oral* |
Grade B in Reading and Writing, Grade A in Listening, and Grade C in Oral test | Grade B in Reading and Writing, Grade A in Listening, and Grade C in Oral test | Grade B in Reading and Writing, Grade A in Listening, and Grade C in Oral test |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | 55 overall with minimum of 51 in each component | 62 overall with minimum of 51 in each component | 67 overall with minimum of 51 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III Integrated Skills in English Examinations (with at least a Pass in all test components) | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Trinity ISE IV Integrated Skills in English Examinations (with at least a Pass in all test components) | Pass | Pass | Pass |
* Applicants holding IGCSE will need to request the Supplementary Certifying Statement from Cambridge International Examinations - details can be found on their website. |
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Other Acceptable Qualifications which test all four components of language learning |
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Qualification |
Comparable to IELTS 6.0 |
Comparable to IELTS 6.5 |
Comparable to IELTS 7.0 |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma English A Syllabus |
Standard level 4 |
Standard level 4 Higher level 4 |
Standard level 4 Higher level 4 |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma English B Syllabus |
Standard level 5 |
Standard level 5 |
Standard level 5 |
| HKCEE Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination in English Language | A minimum of Grade 3 in all test elements | A minimum of Grade 3 in all test elements | A minimum of Grade 4 overall with not less than 3 in any test element |
| HKCEE (syllabus B, prior to 2007) Hong Kong Certificate of Education in English Language | Grade C | Grade C | Grade B |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (Core Subject English Language) | Grade 4 overall with not less than 3 in any component | Grade 4 overall with not less than 3 in any component | Grade 5 overall with not less than 3 in any component |
| Hong Kong Use of English Exam | Grade B | Grade B | Grade B |
| Indian CBSE/ICSE English Language Standard XII | 75% | 75% | 75% + |
| INTO English for University Studies Test | 60% with minimum of 55 % in each test component | 65% with a minimum of 55% in each test component | 70% with a minimum of 55% in each test component |
|
University of Cambridge International Examinations GCE O Level English Language |
Grade C | Grade C | Grade C |
|
University of Cambridge International Examinations GCE O Level English Language |
Grade C or higher with Pass in Oral test | Grade C or higher with Pass in Oral test | Grade C or higher with Pass in Oral test |
| University of Cambridge International Examinations GCE O Level English Language Syllabus: 1123 (All other countries) |
Grade B | Grade B | Grade B |
| MELAB Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (acceptable only if Speaking test is included with result of at least 3) | 80 | 85 | 90 |
| NCUK International Foundation Year: English Academic Purposes Module | Grade C (with minimum Grade D in each component) | Grade B (with minimum Grade D in each component) | Grade A (with minimum Grade D in each component) |
| WAEC West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (English Language) | C6 | C6 | C6 |
Notes:
1. These are the minimum standards acceptable and demand for places may mean that applicants will require higher grades in order to be competitive.
2. For admission to undergraduate Medicine and Dentistry, a higher standard is normally required eg. IELTS 7.5 overall with 6.5 in each component (for Dentistry 7.0 in Speaking and Listening is required); TOEFL 105 overall with minimum scores of Listening - 24, Reading - 21, Speaking - 23, Writing - 23; or GCE O Level Syllabus 1119 Grade A2.
3. Certain tests (eg. IELTS and TOEFL) have a two year time limit in their validity and these will be applied.
4. The TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) is no longer accepted.
INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a wide range of English Language courses, which may assist students to meet the required standard of English language to be eligible for entry to degree programmes at the University. If you wish to apply for an INTO Queen's English course please contact into@qub.ac.uk or consult the INTO website
Other tests/qualifications may be accepted as equivalent to the qualifications listed above. If you have a query about the acceptability of an English Language qualification, please contact the Admissions and Access Service at intl.student@qub.ac.uk
