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Accepted qualifications and English tests

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 2024: Yes

Direct Entry September 2024: Yes

Book BCU EPT

IELTS Academic & IELTS UKVI (Academic)

Online Presessional: Yes

On-Campus Presessional: Yes if SELT UKVI version (No to non-SELT)

Direct Entry January 2024: Yes

Direct Entry September 2024: Yes

IELTS 6.0 with no banding below 5.5

Please note select courses require higher IELTS

Book an IELTS test

IELTS Academic online

Online Presessional: Yes

On-Campus Presessional: No

Direct Entry January 2024: Yes

Direct Entry September 2024: Yes

IELTS Online

IELTS Academic - One Skill Retake

Book IELTS Academic One Skill Retake

Validity: 2 years from the original test date.

Pearson test of English (PTE) - Academic (PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted)

Online Presessional: Yes

On-Campus Presessional: Yes if SELT UKVI version (No to non-SELT) 

Direct Entry January 2024: Yes

Direct Entry September 2024: Yes 

IELTS & BCU EPT Band EquivalencePTE Academic
4.0 43
4.5 48
5.0 53
5.5 59
6.0 64
6.5 70
7.0 76

Test results validity: 2 years from exam date

PTE Academic

TOEFL iBT (if taken at test centre outside the UK) - Requirements based on IELTS equivalent (TOEFL iBT Home Edition is NOT accepted)

Online Presessional: Yes

On-Campus Presessional: No

Direct Entry January 2024: Yes 

Direct Entry September 2024: Yes

IELTS equivalentTOEFL Total/overallTOEFL readingTOEFL ListeningTOEFL SpeakingTOEFL 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)
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Score (SELT only)
IELTS/ BCU EPT Band EquivalenceOverallWriting, 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 skill + 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 skill + 33-50 in any three skills
 33-37
5.5
  • 25-32 in all four skills
 25-32

Please note "Pass" and "High Pass" are not considered.

Results are accepted ONLY when both Written and Spoken exams are taken within 14 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 of enrolment onto a BCU course.

LanguageCert International ESOL B1 (SELT only)
LanguageCert International ESOL B1 Score (SELT only)
IELTS/ BCU EPT Band EquivalenceOverallWriting, 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 skill + 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 skill + 33-50 in any three skills
 33-37
4.0
  • 25-32 in all four skills

25-32

Please note "Pass" and "High Pass" are not considered.

Results are accepted ONLY when both Written and Spoken exams are taken within 14 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 of enrolment onto a BCU course.

Cambridge B2 First (formerly Cambridge English: First/FCE)

Online Presessional: Yes

On-Campus Presessional: No

Direct Entry January 2024: No 

Direct Entry September 2024: No 

For online Presessional Courses only and not for direct entry:

IELTS band scoreCambridge 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 2024: Yes

Direct Entry September 2024: Yes

IELTS5.56.06.57.0
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 2024: Yes

Direct Entry September 2024: TBC

IELTS5.56.06.57.0
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) (Skills for English: Global is NOT accepted)

Online Presessional: Yes

On-Campus Presessional: Yes

Direct Entry January 2024: Yes if B2 to C2

Direct Entry September 2024: Yes if B2 to C2

PSI Skills for English – SELT

IELTS & BCU EPT EquivalentSkills 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.

English Qualifications accepted

Please note the grades shown below are equivalence to IELTS 6.0 with no skills lower than 5.5. If higher scores are required from your course, you will need to achieve higher grades in your qualification.

(Cambridge syllabus 1123 is NOT accepted)

Brunei Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary level – syllabus 1120

C and above

Bulgarian High School Diploma 5.0 English

Foreign Language I

European Baccalaureate
IELTS equivalent band (overall)
EB English Language 6.0 6.5 7.0
L1 6.0 7.0 8.0
L2 6.0 7.0 8.0
L3 7.0 8.0 9.0
GCSE: AQA Board

Grade 4 and above

GCSE: Pearson Edexcel Board

Grade 4 and above

GCSE: OCR Board

Grade 4 and above

GCSE: WJEC Board

Grade 4 and above

German Allegmeine Hochschulreife (Abitur) – English advanced level (Englisch eA/LK)

BCU/ IELTS overall equivalent

German Allegmeine Hochschulreife (Abitur) – English advanced level (Englisch – eA/LK)
4.5 4 - 5
5.0 6
5.5 7 - 9
6.0 10 - 11
6.5 12 - 15
7.0 N/A
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

All four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) must be assessed and with scores shown on certificate.

HKDSE English Language Subject Level

Overall IELTS Band Score Equivalent Range

BCU courses overall IELTS requirement

5**

7.51 - 7.77

7.5

5%

7.16 - 7.32

7.0

5

6.81 - 6.99

6.5

4

6.31 - 6.51

6.0

3

5.48 - 5.68

5.5

2

4.79 - 5.07

5.0
IGCSE: Cambridge Board (1st Language)

Syllabus 0627/0522
Grade C/4 with Pass in Component 3 (speaking and listening)

Syllabus 0500
Grade C/4 with grade 3 (1 highest) in Component 4 (speaking and listening)

Syllabus 0990
Grade C/4 with Pass in Component 4 (speaking and listening)

(Syllabus 1123 is NOT accepted)

IGCSE: Cambridge Board (2nd Language)

Before March 2017 – Grade 7 (Grade A)

After March 2017 –
Syllabus 0510 – Grade C with grade 2 or grade 1 for Speaking
Syllabus 0511 – Grade C
Syllabus 0991 - Grade 4
Syllabus 0993 - Grade 4 with distinction for Speaking

(Syllabus 1123 is NOT accepted)

IGCSE: Pearson EdExcel (Specification A)
BCU Overall IELTS requirement  English Language (Specification A) grade requirement 
7.0 A/7

WITH Distinction in Spoken language
6.5 B/6

WITH Merit in Spoken language
6.0  C/4

WITH Merit in Spoken language

Indian Standard XII

Accepted boards: Andhra Pradesh, Central Board Secondary Education (CBSE), CISCE, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu

65% - For courses requiring IELTS 6.0 overall

70% - For courses requiring IELTS 6.5 overall

80% - For courses requiring IELTS 7.0 overall

International Baccalaureate Diploma
IELTS equivalent band (overall)
IB Diploma English Language course 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0
English B SL 5 6 7 N/A
English B HL 5 5 6 7
English A: Language and Literature SL 5 6 6 7
English A: Language and Literature HL 5 5 6 7
INTO – University of East Anglia (UEA) Requirements based on IELTS equivalent

English Language and Study Skills

IELTS

55%

5.5

60%

6.0

65%

6.5

70%

7.0
INTO – University of Exeter Requirements based on IELTS equivalent

Overall 6.0 with no banding below 5.5

INTO – London Password Skills Solo
IELTS Equivalence INTO London Password Skills Solo
4.0 4.0
4.5 4.5
5.0 5.0
5.5 5.5
6.0 6.0
6.5 6.5
7.0 7.0

Test scores are valid for 2 years

Kaplan EAP
Kaplan KIC band (EAP module)
IELTS equivalent Overall, Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
5.5 55
6.0 60
6.5 65
7.0 70
Kaplan Pre-sessional English and Academic Skills (PS) in Thailand, on campus
BCU courses overall IELTS requirement Kaplan band Research project %
6.0 60 or above (no less than 55 in each skill) 40% or above
6.5 65 or above (no less than 60 in each skill) 50% or above
7.0 75 or above (no less than 70 in each skill) 65% or above
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) - English
We only accept qualifications obtained from 2015 onwards.
  • C (Plain) - For courses requiring IELTS 6.0 overall
  • B- (Minus) - For courses requiring IELTS 6.5 overall
  • B (Plain) - For courses requiring IELTS 7.0 overall
Kings Education Advanced Level Foundation Year-English for Academic Purposes (UK Colleges: Bournemouth, Brighton, London, Oxford, Thailand: Bangkok)

BCU Overall IELTS English Language Requirement

Kings Education CSS Module Final Grade

6.0 

60%

6.5 

65%

7.0 

70%

Test scores are valid for 2 years.

Latvian High School Diploma / Certificate of General Secondary Education

B2 test at 80% or above

Lithuanian High School Diploma / Brandos Atestatas (Secondary School Leaving Certificate / Maturity Certificate)
Pre 2012/2013:
GradeIELTS Equivalence
10 7.0
9 6.5
8 6.0
2012/2013 onwards:
BCU Overall IELTS requirementBrandos Atestatas (Reading, Writing, Listening)
5.5
6.0
6.5		 B2
BCU Individual skills IELTS equivalence (Speaking only)Brandos Atestatas English language Speaking GradeCEFR equivalence 
5.5 7 Low B2 (B2-)
6.0 8 Mid B2 (B2)
6.5 9 High B2 (B2+)
Malaysia 1119

Malaysia Cambridge GCE O Level 1119 – 1-6 before 2008/ Grade C or above after 2008

SPM Bahasa Inggeris 1119 after March 2022 – See table below

SPM Bahasa Inggeris 1119 (Overall Grade)Comparability to CEFRIELTS equivalence
A High B2 (B2+) 6.5
A- Mid B2 (B2) 6.0
B+ Low B2 (B2-) 5.5
Mauritius Cambridge International General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level – syllabus 1125/1126

Grade C and above

Navitas Academic English 2 (AE2) and Academic English 3 (AE3)

Overall pass of 55% in AE2 for programmes requiring IELTS 5.5

Overall pass of 60% in AE3 for programmes requiring IELTS 6.0

Overall pass of 65% in AE3 for programmes requiring IELTS 6.5

Overall pass of 70% in AE3 for programmes requiring IELTS 7.0

NCUK, English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Syllabus Requirements based on IELTS equivalent

NCUK EAP

IELTS

D (40 - 49%)

5.5

C (50 - 59%)

6.0

B (60 - 69%)

6.5

A (70-79%)

7.0
Romanian Baccalaureate

BCU overall IELTS requirement

RB (English)

5.5

6.0

6.5

B2 in all components

7.0

N/A
Singapore Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary level – syllabus 1127 and 1128

C6 - For courses requiring IELTS 6.0 overall

C5 - For courses requiring IELTS 6.5 overall

B3 - For courses requiring IELTS 7.0 overall

Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level English Language

C and above

South and City College Birmingham, Pre-Sessional English
IELTS equivalent SSCB Pre-sessional English Final Assessment
5.5 5.5
6.0 6.0
6.5 6.5
7.0 7.0
Swedish Higher Education Preparatory Diploma – English 6 and 7 (Högskoleförberedande Examen – Engelska 6 and 7)

BCU/ IELTS overall equivalent

Swedish Higher Education Preparatory Diploma – English 6 or English 7 (Högskoleförberedande Examen – Engelska 6 or 7)
4.5 Grade E
5.0 Grade D
5.5 Grade C
6.0 Grade B
6.5 Grade A
7.0 N/A
The Study Group: Academic English Skills (Previously English and Skills for University Study (ESUS) modules 1-3)
Requirements for overall score:
IELTS band score equivalence
(Overall score)
Study Skills AESCEFR equivalence
5.5 50% B2
6.0 55% B2
6.5 60% High B2
7.0 70% C1
Requirements for individual skills scores:
IELTS band score equivalence
(Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
Study Skills AESCEFR equivalence
5.5 40% Low B2
6.0 50% B2
6.5 60% High B2
7.0 70% C1
WASSCE (West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination): West African Examination Council (WAEC)

A to C or 1 to 6. We only accept qualifications obtained from 2000 onwards.

C6 – For courses requiring IELTS 6.0 overall
C5 – For courses requiring IELTS 6.5 overall
B3 – For courses requiring IELTS 7.0 overall

Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education English Language Syllabus (1122) (ZIMSEC)

Grade C and above

For Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes you will be required to complete a BCU in-house English Language test if you do not hold a GCSE grade C/4 or above or an approved Level 2 equivalent in English Language. You would need to obtain an IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 with no bands below 6.5. This will also be the same for Mathematics and Science.