English Language Requirements

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The language of instruction at Keele University International College (KUIC) is English. To enrol on an undergraduate or postgraduate programme, you must be able to demonstrate a suitable level of English proficiency. You can do this by obtaining one of the results shown in the tables below.

General

IELTS Academic (UKVI)

Foundation
5.5 with bands at 5.5* minimum

International Year One
5.5 with bands at 5.5 minimum

Pre Master’s
6.0 with bands at 5.5 minimum

IELTS Academic (Academic)

Foundation
5.5 with bands at 5.5* minimum

International Year One
5.5 with bands at 5.5 minimum

Pre Master’s
6.0 with bands at 5.5 minimum

GCSE/ IGCSE/ O Level English

Foundation
Grade C/4* minimum

International Year One
Grade C/4 minimum

Pre Master’s
Grade C/4 minimum

TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition)

Foundation
72 (components – listening 17, reading 18, speaking 20, writing 17 minimum)*

International Year One
72 (components – listening 17, reading 18, speaking 20, writing 17 minimum)

Pre Master’s
78 (components – listening 17, reading 18, speaking 20, writing 17 minimum)

English Language Level Test (ELLT) by Oxford International Digital (see information below)

Foundation
5 with bands at 5 minimum

International Year One
5 with bands at 5 minimum

Pre Master’s
6 with bands at 6 minimum

PTE score

Foundation
59 overall with no band less than 59

International Year One
59 overall with no band less than 59

Pre Master’s
62 overall with no band less than 59

Duolingo

Foundation and International Year One
100 overall with no component less than 95

Pre Master’s
105 overall with no component less than 95

Country-Specific

Australia

Please contact the Keele University admissions team

Brunei

O level English Language at grade C or above

Ghana

WASSCE or WAEC English Language at grade C6 or above

Hong Kong

HKDSE English Language at 3 or above. Excludes MSci Speech and Language Therapy progression

India

Qualification Name	Agreed Grades	IELTS Equivalency
Standard 12 English from Central Boards (CBSE & CISCE)	60%	IELTS 5.5 overall
Standard 12 English from Central Boards (CBSE & CISCE)	65%	IELTS 6.0 overall
Standard 12 English from State Boards*	65%	IELTS 5.5 overall
Standard 12 English from State Boards*	70%	IELTS 6.0 overall

Excluding: Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, Hyderabad, Kashmir, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand. Otherwise IELTS, or our Free Online English Test (ELLT) is required. All results must be completed within the last two years.

Kenya

KCSE English Language with C or above

Malaysia

Malaysia Cambridge GCSE English Language at Grade C or above (119 syllabus only)

Mauritius

Cambridge Overseas Schools (COS), English Grade C or above

New Zealand

National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) English Language Level 2 at Merit (M) or Excellence (E)

Nigeria

WAEC or NECO English Language with C6 or above

Singapore

Singapore O level English Language at Grade C or above

South Africa

English component of the South African National Senior Certificate Grade C

Sri Lanka

General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level English Language – C and above

Switzerland

Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires 45 (bien)

Tanzania

Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education with grade C or above

Uganda

Uganda Cert of Education (UCE) English grade 7 or above

USA

English at grade 12 as part of HSGD at 3.0

West Indies

CSEC English Language with grade 1, 2 or 3

Zambia

Zambian School Certificate / GCE Grade 5-6

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe O level English Language at Grade C or above

EU-Specific

Austria

Matura / Reifeprüfung Grade 2

Belgium

8 / 80% or Grote avec grande distinction

Denmark

Bevis for Studentereksamen grade 7

European Baccalaureate

The English Language element (English 1 or 2) of the European Baccalaureate is normally accepted in lieu of GCSE English, providing that a score of 6/ 60% or higher is achieved

Finland

Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studentexamensbetyg English Grade 4 or above

France

For candidates taking the International Option Baccalaureate (IOB) we can normally accept English Language plus 2 other subjects taught in the English medium in lieu of GCSE English, providing that a score of 12 or higher is achieved.

Germany

Abitur English Grade 12

Ireland

Ordinary level English Language grades at O4/H4

Luxembourg

Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires 45 (bien)

Malta

Matriculation Certificate (SEC) Grade C

Netherlands

Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs Grade 8 or above

Norway

Vitnemål Grade 4 or above

Romanian Baccalaureate

Sweden

Slutbetyg/Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan – English Grade VG or Grade C, or above

EXEMPTIONS

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 – 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

IELTS equivalent	Kaplan KIC band (EAP module) - Overall, Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
5.5	55
6.0	60
6.5	65
7.0	70
Kaplan EAP scores are valid for 2 years.

Kaplan Pre-sessional English and Academic Skills (PS) in Thailand, on campus

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

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Subject-Specific Requirements

Some of our programmes require a higher English language level.

For Nursing, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Pharmacy, Social Work and Occupational Therapy:

For 2-semester entry, you will need equivalent to IELTS 6.0 with no more than one element at 5.5 or PTE score of 62 overall with no more than one score at minimum 59 or Duolingo 105 overall and no more than one component at 95
For 3-semester entry (Nursing only), you will need equivalent to UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no more than one element at 4.5 or PTE score of 49 overall with no more than one score at minimum 43 or Duolingo 80 overall and no more than one component at 65

For Speech and Language Therapy with Integrated Master’s (Pre-Registration):

You will need equivalent to IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in all components or Duolingo 130 overall and no component less than 120

Please note: only SELT/UKVI test versions are acceptable. You will also need to pass an entry interview before receiving an Unconditional Offer.

Please contact the College for further information: admissions@kuic.keele.ac.uk.

Oxford International Digital – Online English Test

KUIC and Keele University have agreed a partnership with Oxford International Digital, allowing KUIC applicants to take an online English test (terms and conditions will apply) and be accepted if they reach the required level for entry.

The English Language Level Test (ELLT) is provided and administrated by Oxford International Digital, and the results are available up to 72 hours after completing all sections of the test.

The test is taken fully online. If you register under Keele University International College, you can use the discount code KUIC10 to receive 10% off the test fee.

After completing the test successfully, applicants must provide their test results to KUIC. The full cost of the test will be reimbursed if you meet the published English requirements, pay your course fee deposit and join KUIC. The reimbursement will be reflected on your KUIC student account and deducted from the rest of your course fee total.

The test is open to all countries and regions, as well as for all KUIC courses.