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English language requirements

You will find the academic entry requirements for the course you're interested in on the course page, including what UCAS Tariff points are required for undergraduate courses and any other qualifications or experience that will be required or considered.

Where possible we've listed the equivalent qualifications on the page for your country.

English language

You will need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be admitted onto any of our undergraduate or postgraduate courses.

Alternatively, you can study a pre-sessional English language course with us here in Bradford.

The standard University requirement is 6.0* with no sub-test less than 5.0 (or equivalent) on the IELTS or on the university's own entry test the BASALT.

However, if you require a Student Visa to study you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department's requirement which is currently IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.5. Conditional offers to international students will be made on this basis.

Please note that some courses may require a higher level of English language proficiency than the University standard requirements. For details of each programme's English language requirement please see the individual course pages.

Listed below are the tests we accept which are available internationally.

Language student at the University of Bradford

IELTS (The International English Language Testing System).

This is the preferred English language test by the University. You will need to achieve an Overall Band score of at least 6.0*, with at least 5.0 in each of the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading, writing) or 5.5 in each of the sub-tests if you require a Student Visa.

There are more than 1,000 test centres in more than 140 countries. When you take your test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University. Further information, including your nearest test centre, can be found on the IELTS website.

Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English

This test is administered by Trinity College London.

You will need to achieve ISEII with Distinction* in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing or ISEIII with Pass in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

Testing facilities are available at various centres across the world, and at SELT centres in the UK.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

This is administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) in the USA. You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 80*, and sub-tests not less than 18 in Reading, 17 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking if you require a Student Visa.

Testing facilities are available at various centres across the world, and can be found on the TOEFL website. When you take your test, you should ask for a copy of your results to be sent to the University. You will need to enter the University's code (0828) on your answer sheet for your results to be sent directly to us.

Please note that this test is only accepted for degree-level programmes or above, and therefore cannot be used for English courses (e.g. Pre-Sessional English courses) or foundation years.

Pearson PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)

This is administered by Pearson. You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 62*, with at least 59 in each of the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading, writing).

Testing facilities are available at various centres across the world, and can be found on the Pearson website. When you take your test, you should ask for a copy of your results to be sent to the University.

You must nominate the University of Bradford to receive your results, otherwise the University will not be able to verify your score.

Please note that this test is only accepted for degree-level programmes or above, and therefore cannot be used for English courses (e.g. Pre-Sessional English courses) or foundation years.

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking

This test is administered by LanguageCert. Please note that we only accept the LanguageCert ESOL SELT B2 Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking exam, not the B2 Communicator version.

You will need to achieve a minimum of 148 overall with a minimum of 33 in each subskill.*

LanguageCert SELT exams are available at LanguageCert SELT Test Centres around the world and can be booked on the LanguageCert website.

PSI Skills for English: SELT

This is administered by PSI. We only accept the Skills for English: SELT and you must achieve at least a Pass with Merit overall and in each sub-test in the B2 level test.

Testing facilities are available at various centres across the world and can be found on the Skills for English booking page.  When you take your test, you should ask for a copy of your results to be sent to the University.

Other qualifications which may be accepted

There are other English language qualifications which may be accepted. For example, the University of Bradford also recognises:

  • Cambridge Advanced Certificate - grade C or above
  • Cambridge Proficiency Certificate - grade C or above

If you wish to find out if an English qualification you hold is acceptable, please email our Admissions Office.

Please note that we DO NOT accept the TOEIC test.

Pre-sessional English Language courses

If you have not obtained the correct IELTS score for your degree course, you may wish to take a pre-sessional English language course first.

The pre-sessional course will help you to improve and develop your English language and academic skills and will prepare you for your degree programme at the University of Bradford.

For further details please visit the Language Centre website.

*Please note that some courses may require a higher level of English language proficiency than the University standard requirements. For details of each programme's English language requirement please see the individual course pages.