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English Language Requirements

Important Notice for Applicants

Updated 23 November 2020
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 written and spoken English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research.   Non-EEA nationals (and EU/EEA nationals after 1 Jan 2021) will require a Student visa to study in the UK for periods of 6 months or more. For qualifications completed on or after this date, only Trinity ISE taken inside the UK and IELTS taken at UK government-approved test centres will be considered SELTs.  You can find more information about the changes on the UK Visas and Immigration webpages: Applying for a UK visa: approved English language tests

Testing

Universities have discretion to choose the methods by which they assess the English language competence of students.   Queen's University will accept the IELTS Academic (both SELT and non-SELT), and TOEFL internet-based tests for direct admission to undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. 

We know that the closure of English language testing centres due to the COVID-19 pandemic has created some anxiety so we have increased the number of English language tests we accept, including some alternative online tests which are listed in the tables below.  These additional tests will be acceptable for admission in the 2021-22 academic year.

Details of the tests which may be accepted by the University for direct admission to degree programmes are listed in the tables below. 

Preparation Courses

Students applying for English Language preparation courses or pathway programmes offered by INTO Queen's are advised to contact INTO Queen's directly for information about English language requirements at into@qub.ac.uk. Further information from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regarding acceptable English language tests for visa purposes (for admission to programmes below degree level) and a list of test centres can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests

If you have any queries regarding your admission, please contact the International Admissions team at intl.student@qub.ac.uk

Applicants who are either nationals of a country which is deemed by the UKVI 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 UKVI requirements.  However, in some circumstances, applicants may be required to submit evidence of an English Language qualification to satisfy University course entry requirements.

English Language Qualifications

The tables below list 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 (both taught and research).

* 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, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, 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, Malta, 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 - Academic (UKVI Approved)* 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
    IELTS - Academic (Other Centres)
    or IELTS Indicator* (online test)    		 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 or iBT Special Home Edition)
    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

    * For the 2021-22 academic year, the University will accept TOEFL MyBest scores, or a combination of two IELTS tests taken within two years prior to the start of the course.  One of the IELTS tests must have met the overall score required.

    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 Academic or 
    IELTS Indicator    		 7.0 with minimum of 6.0 in all four elements of the test 7.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in all four elements of the test 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening and 6.5 in Reading and Writing 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 or iBT Special Home Edition) 95 with minimum marks as follows:
    Listening - 20
    Reading - 19
    Speaking - 21
    Writing - 20    		 105 with minimum marks as follows:
    Listening - 23
    Reading - 21
    Speaking - 22
    Writing - 23

    105 with minimum marks as follows:
    Listening - 24
    Reading - 21
    Speaking - 23
    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 Acceptable Qualifications which test all four components of language learning
    Qualifications Comparable to IELTS 6.0 (with 5.5 in each test component) Comparable to IELTS 6.5 (with 5.5 in each test component) Comparable to IELTS 7.0 (with 5.5 in each test component)
    CPE
    Cambridge Proficiency    		 169 overall with not less than 162 in each element of the test 176 overall with not less than 162 in each element of the test 185 overall with not less than 162 in each element of the test
    CAE
    Cambridge Advanced    		 169 overall with not less than 162 in each element of the test

    176 overall with not less than 162 in each element of the test

    		 185 overall with not less than 162 in each element of the test

    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
    IGCSEin English (as a first language) Syllabus0522 Grade C (speaking and listening included in final grade) Grade C (speaking and listening included in final grade) Grade C(speaking and listening included in final grade)
    IGCSEin English (as a first language) Syllabus0500 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
    IGCSEinEnglish (as a second language)Syllabus0510 with separate Oral Endorsement Grade B or above, with Grade 2 in Oral/Aural test Grade B or above, with Grade 2 in Oral/Aural test Grade B or above, with Grade 2 in Oral/Aural test
    IGCSEin English (as a second language) Syllabus0511 with
    Count-in Oral/Aural    		 Grade B Grade B Grade B
    Password English Language Test(Invigilated by Queen's Staff or ProctorU) Overall Score of 6.0 (No less than 5.5 in each test component) Overall Score of 6.5 (No less than 5.5 in each test component) Overall Score of 7.0 (No less than 5.5 in each test component)
    DuoLingo English Test(DET) 95-100 (with a minimum of 85 in each language subskill, if these are reported) 105-110 (with a minimum of 85 in each language subskill, if these are reported) 115-120 (with a minimum of 85 in each language subskill, if these are reported)
    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 IIIIntegrated Skills in English Examinations (with at least a Pass in all test components) Pass Pass Pass
    Trinity ISE IVIntegrated Skills in English Examinations (with at least a Pass in all test components) Pass Pass Pass
    International Baccalaureate Diploma English A Syllabus

    Standard level 4
    Higher level 4

    		 Standard level 4
    Higher level 4    		 Standard level 4
    Higher level 4
    International Baccalaureate Diploma EnglishB Syllabus

    Standard level 5
    Higher level 4

    Standard level 5
    Higher level 4

    Standard level 5
    Higher level 4
    HKCEEHong 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 Grade5 overall with not less than 3 in any component
    Hong Kong Use of English Exam Grade B Grade B Grade B
    India Standard XII (CBSE/CICSE/Gujarat/Karnataka/Maharashtra/
    Tamil Nadu/West Bengal boards)    		 70% 70% 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
    INTO English Language Assessment (IELA) Writing: B2
    Speaking: B2
    Listening: 65-69
    Reading: 65-69    		 Writing: B2+
    Speaking: B2+
    Listening: 70-74
    Reading: 70-74    		 Writing: C1
    Speaking: C1
    Listening: 75-82
    Reading: 75-82
    LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
    The qualification should have been achieved no more than 2 years from the start date of your course. The qualification must include all four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.    		 B2 Communicator High Pass overall with Pass in each component B2 Communicator High Pass overall with Pass in each component C1 Expert - Passoverall with a Pass in each component

    University of Cambridge International Examinations GCE O Level English Language
    Syllabus: 1119 (Malaysia), 1127/1128 (Singapore), 1120 (Brunei), 1125 (Mauritius), 1123 (various countries)

    		 Grade C Grade C Grade C
    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)
    WAECWest African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (English Language) C6 C6 C6
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