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English language ability for Student visa holders

Applicants who need a Student Visa have a specific set of requirements, to comply with Home Office regulations.

The English language requirements for our courses are provided on individual course pages as minimum IELTS scores, however we accept the qualifications and tests listed on this page.
Birkbeck cannot accept any other tests or qualifications in addition to those below for Student visa applicants.

Your English language ability will be sufficient if you meet one of the following criteria:

You are a national of a majority English speaking country as defined by UKVI

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Jamaica
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Ireland
  • St Kitts and Nevis  
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America

You have already proved your level of English in a previous UK visa application

  • This must be at the CEFR B2 level

You have completed a qualification at a level comparable to RQF 6 in one of the following countries

  • The qualification from these countries must have been awarded no earlier than 1 June 2021 for the Autumn 2024 intake, and no earlier than 1 September 2021 for the January 2025 intake.
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Dominica
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Hong Kong
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Mauritius
  • Malta
  • Nigeria
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • St Kitts and Nevis  
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uganda
  • Note: Degrees from institutions based in Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America will be considered regardless of the location where they were studied.
  • Note: Applicants from Ghana, Hong Kong, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa and Uganda are required to provide a final certificate/transcript and lettter from the institution confirming the programme was taught in English.

You have been awarded one of the following International School Qualifications

  • Germany: Arbitur - Advanced English: 9
  • Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) - English Language subject: 4
  • Poland: Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci(Certificate of Maturity/Matura) - Advanced English: 70% 
  • Sweden: Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetgy fran Gymnasieskola- English 5: A
  • Malaysia: The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia - SPM English: A

You have completed one of the following English language tests

  • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English
    • 176 with 169 in each sub-test 
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
    • 176 with 169 in each sub-test 
  • IELTS Academic
    • 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in sub-tests
  • INTO Test of English: IELA
    • 176 overall with 169 in sub-tests / 65% overall with 60% in sub-tests 
  • OnCampus Test of English: OCTOE
    • 65% overall with 60% in sub-tests 
  • Password Skills Plus at-home test (no more than two years old)
    • 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in sub-tests
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (We do not accept PTE Academic Online)
    • 62 with 60 in each sub-test
  • PSI:  Skills for English (only valid when taken outside of the UK)
    • B2 Pass with Merit  
  • TOEFL: IBT (no more than two years old). We do not accept TOEFL Home Edition.
    • 79 (reading: 18, writing: 23, listening: 19, speaking: 19) 
  • Trinity College London: Integrated Skills in English
    • ISE II 
  • Note: Your IELTS, IELA, OCTOE, Pearson's, TOEFL or Trinity result must have been awarded no longer than two years from the date that the CAS is generated.

You have been awarded one of the following school qualifications

  • AS or A Level in English Language or Literature (including Cambridge International A Levels)
    • Standard and higher requirement: C.
  • Cambridge IGCSE: First Language English (Syllabus 0500 or 0522)
    • Standard and higher requirement: C
    • Syllabus 0500 must demonstrate a minimum grade 2 in listening and speaking.
  • Cambridge IGCSE: Second Language English (Syllabus 0510 or 0511)
    • Standard and higher requirement: B
    • Syllabus 0510 must demonstrate a minimum grade 2 in listening and speaking.
  • GCSE in English Language or Literature (where studied at a school in the UK when under 18)
    • Standard and higher requirement: C.
  • International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Literature and Language
    • Standard and higher requirement: Standard or higher level 5.
    • Higher requirement: Standard or higher level 6.
  • International Baccalaureate: English B
    • Standard and higher requirement: Standard or higher level 6.
    • Higher requirement: Standard or higher level 7.