We accept a range of English language qualifications as evidence of your abilities. These qualifications are all checked by our International Centre for English to ensure they meet our requirements.
Their syllabuses are mapped against the four components of listening, reading, writing and speaking to ensure they are comparable to CEFR level B2 in each of these components.
For the majority of our courses, an IELTS of 6.0 overall (with no band below 5.5) is required, however, please note that some courses may require a higher IELTS score. Please check with the University if you are unsure.
Please note:
- Some of these qualifications may have a validity of two years from the date of the test.
- If you have a UK Bachelor Degree or an equivalent qualification that was studied in a majority English speaking country, depending on the course you have applied for to study with us you may not be required to hold one of these English language qualifications.
English tests accepted
Unless otherwise stated, results of English tests have a validity of 2 years from the date of issue.
English Test Grade and Information
BCU English Proficiency Test
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: No
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: Yes if SELT UKVI version (No to non-SELT)
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS 6.0 with no banding below 5.5
Please note select courses require higher IELTS
Book an IELTS test
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: No
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS Online
INTO – INTO English Language Assessment Requirements based on IELTS equivalent
IELA
|
IELTS
|
162 - 168
|
5.5
|
169 - 175
|
6.0
|
176 - 184
|
6.5
|
185
|
7.0
|
Kaplan International Tool for English (KITE) - (Kaplan-administered ONLY)
IELTS equivalence |
KITE Scores |
4.0 |
261 |
4.5 |
311 |
5.0 |
357 |
5.5 |
396 |
6.0 |
426 |
6.5 |
459 |
7.0 |
495 |
Test scores are valid for 2 years
Book a test
Pearson test of English (PTE) - Academic
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: Yes if SELT UKVI version (No to non-SELT)
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS Band
|
PTE-A Overall
|
PTE-A Listening
|
PTE-A Reading
|
PTE-A Speaking
|
PTE-A Writing
|
4.0
|
37
|
37
|
39
|
37
|
40
|
4.5
|
39
|
39
|
41
|
39
|
42
|
5.0
|
41
|
41
|
43
|
41
|
44
|
5.5
|
46
|
43
|
48
|
43
|
51
|
6.0
|
52
|
49
|
54
|
47
|
63
|
6.5
|
59
|
57
|
61
|
54
|
75
|
7.0
|
67
|
67
|
68
|
66
|
83
|
Pearson test of English (PTE) - Academic ONLINE
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: No
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS Band
|
PTE-A Overall
|
PTE-A Listening
|
PTE-A Reading
|
PTE-A Speaking
|
PTE-A Writing
|
4.0
|
37
|
37
|
39
|
37
|
40
|
4.5
|
39
|
39
|
41
|
39
|
42
|
5.0
|
41
|
41
|
43
|
41
|
44
|
5.5
|
46
|
43
|
48
|
43
|
51
|
6.0
|
52
|
49
|
54
|
47
|
63
|
6.5
|
59
|
57
|
61
|
54
|
75
|
7.0
|
67
|
67
|
68
|
66
|
83
|
TOEFL iBT (if taken at test centre outside the UK) - Requirements based on IELTS equivalent
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: No
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS equivalent | TOEFL Total/overall | TOEFL reading | TOEFL Listening | TOEFL Speaking | TOEFL writing |
4.0 |
48 |
6 |
11 |
17 |
14 |
4.5 |
56 |
10 |
13 |
18 |
15 |
5.0 |
64 |
14 |
15 |
19 |
16 |
5.5 |
72 |
18 |
17 |
20 |
17 |
6.0 |
80 |
20 |
18 |
21 |
19 |
6.5 |
88 |
22 |
20 |
23 |
21 |
7.0 |
95 |
24 |
22 |
25 |
24 |
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (SELT only)
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: Yes
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS / BCU EPT Band Equivalence | LanguageCert B2 Score |
Overall | Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking |
6.5 |
38-50 in all four skills,or 33-37 in any two skills + 38-50 in any two skills, or 25-37 in any one skills + 38-50 in any three skills
|
38-50 |
6.0 |
33-37 in all four skills,or 25-32 in any two skills + 33-50 in any two skills, or 25-32 in any one skills + 33-50 in any three skills |
33-37 |
5.5 |
25-32 in all four skills |
25-32 |
Written and Spoken exams must be taken within fourteen days of each other.
The qualification should be valid for two years from the date of issue and should still be valid on the date on enrolment onto a BCU course.
Please note "Pass " and "High Pass" are not considered.
LanguageCert International ESOL B1 (SELT only)
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: Yes
Direct Entry January 2023: No
Direct Entry September 2023: No
IELTS / BCU EPT Band Equivalence | LanguageCert B1 Score |
Overall | Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking |
5.0 |
38-50 in all four skills,or 33-37 in any two skills + 38-50 in any two skills, or 25-37 in any one skills + 38-50 in any three skills
|
38-50 |
4.5 |
33-37 in all four skills,or 25-32 in any two skills + 33-50 in any two skills, or 25-32 in any one skills + 33-50 in any three skills |
33-37 |
4.0 |
25-32 in all four skills |
25-32 |
Written and Spoken exams must be taken within fourteen days of each other.
The qualification should be valid for two years from the date of issue and should still be valid on the date on enrolment onto a BCU course.
Please note "Pass " and "High Pass" are not considered.
Cambridge B2 First (formerly Cambridge English: First/FCE)
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: No
Direct Entry January 2023: No
Direct Entry September 2023: No
For online Presessional Courses only and not for direct entry:
IELTS band score | Cambridge English scale score |
5.5 |
162 |
5.0 |
154 |
4.5 |
148 |
4.0 |
142 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English: Advanced/CAE)
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: No
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
Reading |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Listening |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Speaking |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Writing |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Overall |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Validity: two years
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge English: Proficiency/CPE)
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: No
Direct Entry January 2023: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes
IELTS | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
Reading |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Listening |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Speaking |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Writing |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Overall |
162 |
169 |
176 |
185 |
Validity: two years
PSI Skills for English – SELT (Levels B1, B2, C1 and C2)
Online Presessional: Yes
On-Campus Presessional: Yes
Direct Entry September 2023: Yes if B2 to C2
Direct Entry January 2024: Yes if B2 to C2
PSI Skills for English – SELT
IELTS & BCU EPT Equivalent | Skills for English |
4.5 |
B1 Pass* |
5.0 |
B1 Pass with Merit* |
5.5 |
B2 Pass |
6.0 |
B2 Pass with Merit |
6.5 |
B2 Pass with Merit |
7.0 - 8.0 |
C1 Pass |
8.5 - 9.0 |
C2 |
Results validity: 2 years from exam date
*B1 level test takers must have taken all four components of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.