Guide

English language requirements

Updated on 17 April 2024

All our courses are delivered in English. You will be required to demonstrate that you have the language skills needed to take part in class discussions, understand lectures, and succeed in your assignments.

On this page

The English language ability you need depends on the academic level of the course you want to study.

You can find the specific language skills required on our course pages.

Students who will require a visa to study in the UK must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set out by the UK Home Office.

Student visa - Knowledge of English - GOV.UK

How to meet our English language requirements

You can demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements by:

submitting an accepted English language proficiency test
successfully passing our Pre-Sessional English course
providing an approved UK or International English language qualification
- This applies to certain courses only. For more information, you should check your offer letter
meeting our exemption criteria

Accepted English language proficiency tests

There are many English language proficiency tests available. You need to take one of the tests we recognise and meet the requirements for your chosen study.

As part of your application process we will evaluate your English Language requirements, if you already possess an English Language proficiency please upload your documentation with your application. If you do not yet hold an English Language proficiency your application will be assessed without this and we will advise you of the English Language you require.

Certain programs may necessitate a higher level of English Proficiency, particularly when the course content demands it. You can find the specific English Language requirements for our undergraduate and postgraduate courses on their respective course pages.

For Research Degrees you'll discover the entry requirements on the corresponding research interest pages.

Any English language requirements will be clearly stated in your offer letter.

Criteria

English language test scores should be no more than two years old on the start date of your chosen course.

All results will be verified online; therefore, applicants will be required to provide certification or a statement of results along with a Unique Reference Number (URN).

Where you have taken more than one English Language test, only the results from the most recent test will be considered.

We will verify your English Language qualification before issuing the Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS). If we are unable to confirm the score with the awarding body, your application will be withdrawn.

The University reserves the right to change English language entry levels during an application cycle if deemed necessary to remain compliant with UKVI regulations.

The University of Dundee accepts the following proficiencies:

UKVI recognised Secure English Language Tests (SELT):

Non UKVI SELT English Language tests:

IELTS (Academic)
Cambridge English
- C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)
- C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE)
ETS TOEFL iBT

We will only accept TOEFL iBT scores taken in one sitting. We will not accept MyBest scores.

Online English Language tests:

IELTS Online
Oxford ELLT Digital (Oxford International English Language Level Test)
Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE)
TOEFL Home edition

Pre-sessional

If your English Language Proficiency does not meet the requirements of your course you may still be eligible to take one of our pre-sessional English courses.

Please see our Pre-sessional English page for information about entry and how to apply.

If you are applying to study a Pre-Sessional English course, we can only accept a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for our on-campus courses. If you are taking an IELTS (Academic) test, you must select an IELTS for UKVI (Academic).

UK and International English language qualifications

We may consider both UK and International high school qualifications in English to fulfil the English Language requirements for some of our course.

International high school qualifications must have been obtained within the past 10 years from the start date of your studies with us. However, please note that specific courses may still necessitate an English language proficiency test. You can find further details of requirements on the relevant course pages.

Where an online verification system for high school qualifications is available, verification must be completed. Therefore applicants are required to provide a Scratch card, Token, Pin, admit card or Roll number where required for the verification process.

Applicants who have achieved the minimum required High School English grade and subsequently pursued a degree in their home country, where the subject was taught and assessed fully in English, may be considered for acceptance based on the Medium of Instruction. Please submit an official letter stamped and signed by your Institution confirming that your studies were taught and assessed in English.

The following international English language qualifications may not be accepted for courses in Dentistry, Health Sciences, Medicine, or Social Work. This will be confirmed in your offer letter.

List of accepted UK and International High School English Language qualifications