Metadata
Title
English Language Requirements
Category
international
UUID
f30cc15013b242b28285bdcd7e87686a
Source URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/international/language/
Parent URL
-
Crawl Time
2026-03-19T01:19:47+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

English Language Requirements

Source: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/international/language/

International Students

Logo

International Students

Find your Country/Region - Representatives (Education Agents) - International Student Experience - Fees and Funding - English Language Requirements - Visa and Immigration

Search for something

Search... Search...

On this page

OverviewUndergraduate coursesPostgraduate coursesEnglish language coursesLanguage supportTests (visa)Tests (no visa)Exemptions

On this page

On this page

OverviewUndergraduate coursesPostgraduate coursesEnglish language coursesLanguage supportTests (visa)Tests (no visa)Exemptions

Overview

English will be the main language you use socially and for study.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide a recognised English language test or qualification.

For 2025 entry onwards, we accept IELTS One Skill Retakes

Undergraduate courses

In most cases you will need an overall score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. You will also need at least IELTS 5.5 or equivalent in each of the four sub-skills:

Individual undergraduate course pages list if you need an overall IELTS score or sub-scores higher than this.

Postgraduate courses

English language requirements do vary so you should read the 'entry requirements' section of our postgraduate course pages.

English language courses

If you don't meet our English language requirements extra support is available. You could also complete a course to help improve your English before you start your degree. We provide these at Newcastle University International Study Centre. Please check your course information for full details of the requirements.

Language support

We offer free lessons in English for Academic Purposes throughout the year. You can attend classes, workshops and interactive lectures on a range of topics including: 

Learn more about our English language programmes

Tests (visa)

We accept a wide range of English language tests. The tests on this page are the only ones we accept if you need a visa to study with us.

Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores. You will see these on each course page under the 'entry requirements' section.

Our typical IELTS scores are:

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.

For 2025 entry onwards, we accept IELTS One Skill Retakes

Grades we usually accept from other qualifications

Cambridge English Language Assessments

Business English Certificate Higher

Grade B with a minimum sub-skill grade of 'weak'. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Certificate in Advanced English

Score of 176 with a minimum sub-skill score of 160. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Certificate of Proficiency in English

Score of 176 with a minimum sub-skill score of 160. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

ESOL Skills for Life Level 2

Grade of Pass with a minimum of grade of Borderline in speaking and listening. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Duolingo English Language Test

Our typical Duolingo English Language Test grade requirements are 125 overall with no subskill below 100 but this may differ for individual courses.

Please refer to individual course pages for full details of Duolingo English Language Test  requirements.

GCSE/AS or A Level

You must have also been taught and assessed in English in your pre-university qualifications.

Valid only if you have taken the test within five years of the start of your course with us.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Grade 5 in English with a minimum of grade 4 in each element. For programmes requiring IELTS at 6.0, Grade 4 overall with maximum 2 elements at Grade 3, rest at Grade 4.

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Indian National Boards: CBSE or CISE

Indian 12th Standard Examination: Score of 75% in English (additional interviewing conditions may also apply).

We would accept the above scores without interview provided one of the following:

International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)

International Baccalaureate English A: Literature

Standard level: 4

Higher level: 4

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

International Baccalaureate English A: Literature and Language

Standard level: 5

Higher level: 4

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

International Baccalaureate English Language B:

Standard level: 6

Higher level: 5

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Newcastle University International Study Centre

Newcastle University International Study Centre English for Academic Purposes Assessment: Score of 65 with a minimum sub-score of 55%

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Newcastle University International Study Centre Pre-Sessional English Programme: Score of 65 with a minimum sub-score of 55%

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

INTO UK Centres other than Newcastle

INTO English for Academic Purposes Assessment: Score of 65 with a minimum sub-score of 55%

Conditions

For entry to undergraduate degree programmes only.

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Decision made on a case by case basis, based on an admissions tutor’s knowledge and experience of the INTO course being taken.

Pearson

Pearson: PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI

*Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

** Please note this is the UKVI minimum requirement. If in error you have received an offer with a requirement lower than this, please contact us to review your options at ug-admissions@ncl.ac.uk or pgadmissions@ncl.ac.uk with the subject Pearson Language

Singapore Ministry of Education

Singapore Integrated Programme: Achievement of conditions of offer.

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT)

From 21 January 2026

TOEFL IBT: score of 90 with a minimum of:

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us, and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.

Before 21 January 2026

TOEFL IBT: score of 90 with a minimum of:

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us, and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) Special Home Edition

Post 21 January 2026

TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition: score of 90 with a minimum of:

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us, and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.

Prior to 21 January 2026

TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition: score of 90 with a minimum of:

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us, and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ITP Plus for China)

TOEFL ITP Plus for China

Score of 610 with the following scores in the sub-skills:

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us, and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.

Trinity College London

Integrated Skills in English: Grade ISE III or ISE IV with a minimum sub-skill grade of Pass ISEII

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

West African Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO)

If you have an undergraduate degree that was taught and assessed in English more than 3 years prior to studying with us, we can accept a WAEC with the following grades:

C5 in English for courses that require IELTS 6.5. (For courses requiring: IELTS at 6.0, C6; IELTS at 7.0, C4; IELTS at 7.5, B2).

We will ask you to provide a scratch card number so that your WAEC/NECO SSCE English qualification can be verified online.

Tests (no visa)

We also accept the following tests if you do not need a visa to study with us.

The below tests and qualifications are acceptable for admission to the majority of Newcastle University’s degree programmes for applicants who do not need a student visa. If a student visa is required, an English Language Interview will be required if the test does not contain all four sub skills.

European Baccalaureate

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Denmark

Denmark

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Finland

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

France

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Germany

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Netherlands

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Norway

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Sweden

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

iGCSE in English Language

Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.

Exemptions

For most programmes you do not need to prove your English ability if you meet one of the criteria below.

Within the last three years, you have:

or you are a national from one of the countries below:

*Non Canadian nationals who have studied in Canada must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the degree was taught and assessed in the medium of English language.