Skip to main content

Approved tests and qualifications for English language ability

GENERAL GUIDANCE

Birkbeck values our multi-lingual student body and encourages applications from speakers of all languages.

The English language requirements for our courses are provided on individual course pages as minimum IELTS scores, however we accept all qualifications and tests listed on this page. 

Your English language ability is sufficient if you: 

  • are a national of the UK or of a majority English-speaking country (see list below) 
  • can show that you have an approved qualification, English language test or can demonstrate an equivalent proficiency (see below). 

ACCEPTED METHODS OF PROVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY

Standard definitions

  • Standard requirement: Our taught programmes require applicants to demonstrate their proficiency in English to the level of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-test. 

MAJORITY ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES

  • If you are a national of one of these countries, your English language ability is sufficient.  
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Australia
    • The Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • The British Overseas Territories
    • Canada
    • Dominica
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Ireland
    • Jamaica
    • Malta
    • New Zealand
    • St Kitts and Nevis
    • St Lucia
    • St Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • United Kingdom
    • United States of America

YOU HAVE COMPLETED A Degree AT A LEVEL COMPARABLE TO RQF 6 IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES

  • The qualification award date from these countries must be no older than three years on 1 June for courses starting in October, or 1 September for January start courses. Foundation degrees are not acceptable, unless as part of a pre-agreed progression route with Birkbeck.
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • The British Overseas Territories
  • 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
  • United Kingdom
  • United Stated of America
  • Note: Degrees from institutions based in Australia, United Kingdom and United States of America will be accepted 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 letter from the institution confirming the programme was taught in English. 

UK QUALIFICATIONS AND ENGLISH TESTS

  • For tests which have a two-year validity period, the test must be no older than two years on 1 June for courses which start in October, or 1 September for January start courses.  
  • AS or A-Level in English Language or Literature (including Cambridge International A Levels) 
    • Standard requirement: C
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English
    • Standard requirement: 176 with 169 in each sub-test
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
    • Standard requirement: 176 with 169 in each sub-test
  • GCSE in English Language or Literature
    • Standard requirement: C
  • IELTS Academic (no more than two years old)
    • Standard requirement: 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in sub-tests
    • We also accept IELTS Academic One Skill Retake
    • Please note that we do not accept the IELTS Academic Online test or the IELTS indicator test.
  • IGCSE - English First Language (Syllabus 0500 or 0522 or 0990)
    • Standard requirement: C or 5
    • Please note that a separate endorsement must demonstrate a minimum grade 2 in Listening and Speaking. (Oral/Aural).
  • IGCSE - English Second Language (Syllabus 0511 or 0991, or 0510 or 0993)
    • Standard requirement: B or 5
    • Please note that Syllabus 0510 or 0993 must demonstrate a minimum grade 2 in Listening and Speaking (Oral/Aural).
  • International Baccalaureate English A: Literature OR Literature and Language OR Literature and Performance
    • Standard requirement: Grade 5 from Standard Level or Grade 4 from Higher Level
  • International Baccalaureate English B
    • Standard requirement: Grade 6 from Standard Level or Grade 5 from Higher Level
  • INTO Test of English/IELA (no more than two years old)
    • Standard requirement: 176 overall with 169 in sub-tests / 65% overall with 60% in sub-tests 
  • OnCampus Test of English: AELD (Academic English Language Development) 
    • Standard requirement: 65% overall 
  • OnCampus Test of English: OCTOE
    • Standard requirement: 65% overall with 60% in sub-tests 
  • Password Skills Plus at-home test (no more than two years old)
    • Standard requirement: 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in sub-tests
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (no more than two years old). We do not accept PTE Academic Online
    • Standard requirement: 62 with 60 in each sub-test
  • PSI: Skills for English
    • Standard requirement: B2 Pass with Merit
  • TOEFL: IBT (no more than two years old)
    • Standard requirement: 79 (reading: 18, writing: 23, listening: 19, speaking: 19)
    • Please note that we do not accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition.
  • Trinity College London: Integrated Skills in English (no more than two years old)
    • Standard requirement: ISE II

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL QUALIFICATIONS

  • Austria: Matura/Reifeprufung
    • Standard requirement: 2 (gut) in English when both written and oral exams are taken.
  • Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs or Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Superieur
    • Standard requirement: Distinction in English
  • Denmark: Bevis for Studentereksamen
    • Standard requirement: 10 in English
  • Finland: Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studentexamensbetgy
    • Standard requirement: 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) in English
  • Germany: Abitur
    • 12 (gut) in English when taken as an achievement/main/intensive course
  • Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) - English Language subject
    • Standard requirement: 4
  • Iceland: Studentsprof matriculation examination
    • Standard requirement: 8 in English when taken as a compulsory modern language
  • India: Higher Secondary Certificate/Standard XII
    • Standard requirement: CBSE, ICSE and Maharashtra exam boards - 65% in English
    • For all other exam boards (except the Punjab and Haryana School Education Board) - 70% in English
    • Applicants who have studied under the Punjab or Haryana School Education Board will require an English language test.
    • Please note we can only accept these qualifications if they were obtained five years prior to the proposed start date of your studies at Birkbeck.
  • Luxembourg: Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires
    • Standard requirement: 45 (bien) in English
  • Malaysia: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia - SPM 1119 English 
    • Standard requirement: A
  • Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
    • Standard requirement: 7 (ruim voldoende) in English
  • Norway: Vitnemal for videregaende opplaering
    • Standard requirement: 5 in English
  • Poland: Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci (Certificate of Maturity/Matura)
    • Standard requirement: Oral basic - 90%, written basic - 80%
  • Sweden: Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetgy fran Gymnasieskola
    • Standard requirement: VG (val godkant) in English or Grade C in English
  • Switzerland: Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita federal maturity certificate or the recognised cantonal maturity certificate
    • Standard requirement: 5 (gut/bien/bene) in English

YOU HAVE ALREADY PROVED YOUR LEVEL OF ENGLISH IN A PREVIOUS UK VISA APPLICATION

  • Students who have previously obtained a UK visa to study a course which was at least RQF Level 6, can demonstrate a minimum English level at CEFR B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5). However as this is below our standard requirement of IELTS 6.5, your case will be referred to an Admissions Tutor for review. Some students may be asked to obtain a valid English language test from the full list on this page.
  • Please submit your previous Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies and visa with your application so that we can accurately assess your case.
  • Please note: Foundation degree/programmes are not acceptable, unless as part of a pre-agreed progression route with Birkbeck.

OTHER METHODS OF PROVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY

Please note that if you require a Student visa, you cannot use the following methods to demonstrate your English ability. Please use one of the accepted methods above.  

PARTIAL STUDY

  • If you have studied at degree level in a university in the UK or in another majority English-speaking country within the last three years, that is sufficient to demonstrate your English language ability. Normally we would expect you to have studied for a year or more. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • If you have completed a period (18 months) of continuous paid or unpaid experience in a country listed above, within three years of admission to the College. This should have involved a high level of speaking, reading, writing and listening in English. 
  • Roles in the following areas would be considered suitable: clerical and administrative, journalism, education, web content creation, PR/marketing. 
  • Roles that would not be suitable: hospitality/catering, cleaning, construction. 

MPHIL/PHD APPLICANTS

The English language requirements for our research courses are provided on our course pages as minimum IELTS scores. If your course requires IELTS 7.0 and the test or qualification you hold is not shown above, please get in touch. 

Further information on our application processes can be found on the PhD admissions page.