All courses at the University of Southampton are taught in the medium of English (other than in Modern Languages where instruction is in English, and the language(s) being taught). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate that they possess a minimum standard of English language proficiency in order to be admitted to a course at the University.
The minimum standard of English Language proficiency required is a GCSE grade 4 or C (or equivalent) in English. Please note that this is a minimum requirement and some of our courses may require a higher grade or score.
All courses stipulate a level of English proficiency which equates to one of the University's English Language bands, details of which can be found in the Useful downloads section at the bottom of this page.
If you receive an offer from us, and that offer is conditional on achieving English language, we will tell you which University of Southampton (UoS) band you need to meet. Each individual course page also lists the IELTS scores required. This web page sets out the different tests and qualifications we accept to meet the required level of proficiency.
Please note that we will always consider the whole application and accompanying documents to assess an applicant’s level of competence in English Language. We therefore reserve the right to ask for additional evidence of English language if we have concerns about an applicant’s level of proficiency.
The University of Southampton holds a sponsor licence issued by the Home Office, permitting us to recruit students who require a visa to study in the UK. In addition to the University’s own English language requirements, the UK Home Office sets its own minimum standards for applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK.
If you are required to study the University’s Pre-sessional English course, you must obtain a UKVI approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS. A full list of UKVI approved SELTs can be found listed below.
If you are studying above degree level i.e. Bachelor’s level or higher or are not required to pass the University’s Pre-sessional English course for entry on to your substantive programme, you may take any of the tests or qualifications listed on this webpage.
If you are from a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the Home Office) you must have at least a GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language. Please note that some of our courses require a higher level of English language proficiency, so please check our individual course pages for full details. This webpage also sets out the alternative qualifications we accept if you don’t possess a GCSE in English Language.
If you are from a non-majority English-speaking country, you can meet the English Language requirements of a course by:
Pre-sessional courses are a way to develop your English for academic purposes before starting a degree at Southampton. Successfully passing one means that you will meet the English conditions of your offer. Please note the Pre-sessional is not accepted for all courses.
You can find more information about what the Pre-sessional courses cover and how to apply for a course on our Pre-sessional English courses webpage. You can also find more information about the Pre-sessional entry requirements in the Useful downloads section at the bottom of this page.
All English Language Tests must be dated within the two years immediately preceding the course start date as set out in your offer letter. Applicants whose tests fall outside this timescale will need to retake a Southampton approved English language test. We are unable to combine scores from multiple tests, as we require all applicants to meet the requirements through one sitting of a test.
The following English language tests are accepted for entry to our degree courses.
UKVI Secure English Language Tests:
Tests taken at a test centre:
Online English Language Tests:
All scores will be verified with the test provider before they are accepted.
We will not normally insist that you provide an English Language Test if you have taken one of the following qualifications to at least the standard indicated, no more than three years before the proposed date of enrolment.
UK qualifications
For IGCSE English requirements, see the section International Qualifications below.
Qualification | Required grade |
GCSE in English or English Language | Grade C or Grade 4, or above |
A Level or AS Level English Language, English Literature or English Language and Literature | Grade C or above |
GCE O-Level in English Language | Grade C or above |
International O-Level in English | Grade C or above |
SQA Scottish Standard Grade in English | Grade 3 or above |
SQA Scottish Intermediate 2 or National 5 English | Grade C or above |
SQA Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher Grade in English | Grade C or above |
European Qualifications
Country | Qualification | Required grade |
Finland | Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studentexamensbetyg - English | Grade 4 or above |
France | Baccalauréat l'Option Internationale - English or Baccalauréat Français Internationale - English | Grade 11 or above |
Germany | Abitur - English (or 2/6 in English Language as a Leistungkurs) | Grade 11 or above |
Ireland | Irish Leaving Certificate in English | Grade C or O4, or above |
Netherlands | Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs - English | Grade 8 or above |
Norway | Vitnemål - English | Grade 4 or above |
Sweden | Högskoleförberedande Examan - English | Grade VG or Grade C, or above |
Various | European Baccalaureate where English is a compulsory subject or a full option | 7.5 or above |
Qualification | Required grade |
IGCSE English First Language CIE/CAIE (Specification 0500) | Grade C with Speaking and Listening at grade 2 |
IGCSE English First Language CIE/CAIE (Specification 0990) | Grade 4 with Speaking and Listening at grade 2 |
IGCSE English First Language CIE/CAIE (Specification 0524) | Grade C with Speaking and Listening at grade 2 |
IGCSE English Second Language CIE/CAIE (Specification 0511) | Grade A |
IGCSE English Second Language CIE/CAIE (Specification 0510) | Grade A with Speaking and Listening at grade 2 |
IGCSE English as a Second Language CIE/CAIE (Specification 0991) | Grade 7 |
IGCSE English Second Language CIE/CAIE (Specification 0993) | Grade 7 with Speaking and Listening at 2 |
IGCSE English Language A Pearson/Edexcel (4EA1) | Grade 4 with Merit in the spoken language endorsement |
IGCSE English Second Language Pearson/Edexcel (Specification 4ES1) | Grade 7 with Merit in the spoken language endorsement |
IGCSE English Language B Pearson/Edexcel (4EB1) | Grade 4 with Merit in the spoken language endorsement |
Oxford AQA IGCSE English Language (Specification 9270) | Grade 4 with Merit in the speaking and listening endorsement |
Oxford AQA IGCSE English as a Second Language (Specification 9280) | Grade 7 |
Qualification | Required grade |
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Cambridge International Examinations, Ordinary Level English | Grade C or above |
Cambridge International Examinations, Advanced Level English | Grade C or above |
Hong Kong (HKDSE) English | Grade 4 or above |
Indian Standard XII in English Language (CBSE and ISC Boards) | 70% or above |
International Baccalaureate English Language Syllabus A | Standard Level or Higher Level Grade 4 |
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature | Standard Level or Higher Level Grade 4 |
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature and Language | Standard Level or Higher Level Grade 4 |
International Baccalaureate English Language Syllabus B | Standard Level grade 6 or Higher Level Grade 4 |
International Baccalaureate Language B: English | Standard Level grade 6 or Higher Level Grade 4 |
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in English | Grade B or above |
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia 1119 English Language (GCE-O grade only) (up to and including 2020) | Grade C or above |
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (2021 onwards) | CEFR Level B2 or above |
South African National Senior Certificate | Grade 3 or above |
West African Examinations Council Year 12 Certificate (WASSCE) - English | Grade C6 or above |
Other accepted tests or qualifications
University of Reading - Test in English for Education Purposes | Pass at required IELTS (Academic)-equivalent grade |
Northern Consortium English Exams EAP (NCUK EAP Global) | Pass at required IELTS (Academic)-equivalent grade |
Warwick International Foundation Programme | Pass at required IELTS (Academic)-equivalent grade |
Applicants who have studied a qualification taught and assessed in English
To evidence any of the above, we require an official letter from the awarding institution confirming that you have been taught and assessed in the medium of English. The letter should be on headed paper, and should be stamped, dated and signed by your institution.
We will consider your whole application and accompanying documents when assessing your English language ability. We reserve the right to ask for additional evidence of English language if we have concerns about an applicant's abilities.
The information above may be varied at any time without notice and is correct as of December 2023. |
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