'The great thing about studying in the UK is that even if you don’t meet the requirements for one course, you can choose another at a different level and work your way up. The UK offers study options to suit international students at all levels.'
Improving your English language skills
You will need a good understanding of English before you can study at most further and higher education institutions in the UK.
If you need a visa to study in the UK, please visit the UK Border Agency's website to look at the entrance criteria related to English language studies.
Studying an English language course in the UK, such as English for academic purposes (EAP) or a pre-sessional course, will prepare you for further study. You can search for these and other English language courses in the course finder on this website.
You can also take an English test such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System), PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) or CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced) in your home country before you come to the UK.
IELTS is the world’s leading English test of its kind. It tests the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Over 1,000 UK institutions recognise IELTS and the test is available in over 125 different countries. You can find out where your nearest IELTS test centre is at the IELTS website.
PTE Academic is a computer-based test administered at Pearson VUE testing centres. The test is recognised by hundreds of institutions in the
CAE is recognised by almost all UK universities and colleges as proof of English language skills. It is also accepted by the UK Border Agency for Tier 4 student visas. If you achieve grade A, it's worth an additional 70 UCAS Tariff points towards your application to UK universities and colleges. There are 1,300 test centres in over 113 countries. To find your nearest centre visit the Cambridge English: Advanced website.
Entry requirements for UK undergraduate study
The qualifications you need depend on the course you want to study. You should have completed at least 13 years of education in your own country or in the UK, and have taken pre-university qualifications equivalent to UK A-levels, Scottish Highers or National Diplomas.
If you haven’t got these qualifications yet don’t worry – you can still study in the UK. Try searching for a career-based or pre-university course in the course finder.
Here are some examples of the qualifications that are required.
For an HND:
- qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two Scottish Highers or a Higher National Certificate or BTEC National Diploma; or an international foundation year
- IELTS 5.5-6.0.
For a Foundation Degree:
- qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, one or two Scottish Highers or a National Diploma; or an international foundation year
- IELTS 5.5-6.0.
For a Diploma of Higher Education:
- qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a National Diploma; or an international foundation year
- IELTS 5.5-6.0.
For a Degree:
- qualifications equivalent to two or three UK A-levels, three or four Scottish Highers, a Higher National Certificate or Diploma, or BTEC National Diploma; or an international foundation year
- IELTS 6.0-6.5.
Entry requirements for postgraduate or MBA study
To begin a postgraduate course in the UK, you'll need to hold an undergraduate degree from the UK or overseas. You'll be expected to have obtained a first or good 2:1 (or international equivalent) in a directly related subject and you'll need to speak English to at least IELTS 6.5 level for most courses.
Here are some examples of the qualifications you will need for postgraduate or MBA study.
- Pre-master's: undergraduate degree plus IELTS 5.0-5.5
- PG Cert/PG Dip: undergraduate degree plus IELTS 6.5-7.0, or a pre-master's course
- Master's degree: first or upper second class undergraduate degree plus IELTS 7.0, or a pre-master's course
- MBA: first degree, 2-3 years’ business experience, plus IELTS 6.5-7.0
- PhD: master's degree, plus IELTS 6.5-7.0.
Entry requirements for UK independent schools
To apply to a UK independent school, you'll need to have a good standard of education from your own country. You won't be expected to have passed formal qualifications, but may be asked to sit the school's own entrance exam in subjects such as English and maths.
Some schools may ask students to sit entrance exams in English and maths. The common entrance exam is also used by many schools for students who enter at the age of 13.
Entry requirements for career-based and pre-university study
The qualifications you’ll need will depend on the course you want to study. Some qualifications (such as A-levels Scottish Highers and and BTEC National Diplomas) are below university level and lead directly on to higher education. Others (such as HNDs and foundation degrees) are university-level qualifications that enable you to join a degree course in the second or third year.
Here are some examples of the qualifications you will need for entry to various courses.
- BTEC National Diploma: good general high school education equivalent to four GCSEs grades A –C; plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
- AS/A-levels: good general high school education equivalent to five GCSEs grades A –C, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
- Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers: good general high school equivalent to six Standard Grade qualifications grades 1-3, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
- International Foundation Year: 12 years of school education or equivalent in your own country, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
- HND: qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year, plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
- Foundation Degree: qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels, two or three Scottish Highers or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year, plus IELTS 5.5-6.0.
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