Postgraduate study in the IALS library

English Language Competency

All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence (gained in the last 2 years) that their written and spoken English language is adequate for postgraduate study. This requirement is specified in order to ensure that the academic progress of students is not hindered by language difficulties and that students are able to integrate socially while studying and living in the UK.

The School regards the following English Language Test scores or a degree taken in English as the minimum standards for entry to programmes of Institutes of the School;

  • Common European Framework (CEF):

    • Master's applicants - level B2
    • Research applicants (MPhil/PhD) - level C1; or

  • a minimum overall score of 7.0, and no less than 6.0 in each category (academic reading, academic writing, listening and speaking), in the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) test administered by the British Council; or

  • a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 610 in the paper-based test plus 5 in the test of written English, or an Internet based TOEFL (IBT) with a score of 102 (the School’s TOEFL institution code is: 6707); or

  • a Grade C or above in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English; or

  • a Grade A in the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English; or

  • University of Reading TEEP test of proficiency for academic purposes at level 7.5 and above; or

  • Trinity College English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at level ISE Level III; or

  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic):

    • master’s applicants – minimum PTE Academic score of 64
    • research applicants (MPhil/PhD) – minimum PTE Academic score of 76; or

  • A first degree or MA in a relevant subject from an Anglophone country (ie where the majority of the inhabitants of that country or region speak English) or from a university in a non-Anglophone country where teaching, written work and examination were mainly in English.

The School reserves the right to require, from any applicant, additional evidence of language competence such as a piece of written work and/or an interview.

Occasionally, and in exceptional circumstances, the School will allow other forms of evidence of language competency as long as this is equitable with those listed above. The School can arrange to have language competence tested and can supply information relating to testing centres.

Evidence of an applicant’s English competence should, if possible, be included with the application. If unsatisfactory or no evidence has been provided with the application, admission will be conditional upon provision of such evidence.

This information can be downloaded in PDF format from the following link: English Language Competency.