Guide
English language requirements
All our courses are delivered in English. If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate that you have the language skills you need to take part in class discussions, understand lectures, and succeed in your assignments.
You can demonstrate you meet our English language requirements by:
- taking an approved proficiency test
- providing an approved international English language qualification
- successfully passing our Pre-Sessional English course
- meeting our exemption criteria
Our undergraduate and postgraduate course pages show the specific IELTS requirement for each of our courses. Our entry requirements for postgraduate research programmes can be found on the relevant research interest pages. Details of any English language conditions will also be included in your offer letter.
English language proficiency tests
There are many English language tests available, you need to take one of the tests we recognise.
Details of the minimum scores we accept in these tests, and how they compare to IELTS, are below.
English language tests should be no more than two years old on the start date of your chosen course.
IELTS (Academic)
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: 6.0 Writing: 6.0 Listening: 5.5 Reading: 5.5 Speaking: 5.5 |
Overall: 6.5 Writing: 6.0 Listening: 5.5 Reading: 5.5 Speaking: 5.5 |
Overall: 7.0 Writing: 7.0 Listening: 7.0 Reading: 7.0 Speaking: 7.0 |
Pearson (PTE Academic)
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: 56 Writing: 56 Listening: 56 Reading: 56 Speaking: 56 |
Overall: 62 Writing: 56 Listening: 56 Reading: 56 Speaking: 56 |
Overall: 67 Writing: 62 Listening: 62 Reading: 62 Speaking: 62 |
TOEFL (iBT)
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: 78 Writing: 23 Listening: 19 Reading: 18 Speaking: 18 |
Overall: 88 Writing: 23 Listening: 21 Reading: 20 Speaking: 20 |
Overall: 98 Writing: 27 Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Speaking: 23 |
Trinity ISE
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: ISE II Merit Writing: Distinction Listening: Merit Reading: Merit Speaking: Merit |
Overall: ISE II Distinction Writing: Distinction Listening: Distinction Reading: Distinction Speaking: Distinction |
Overall: ISE III Merit Writing: Merit Listening: Merit Reading: Merit Speaking: Merit |
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: 169 Writing: 169 Listening: 169 Reading: 169 Speaking: 169 |
Overall: 176 Writing: 169 Listening: 169 Reading: 169 Speaking: 169 |
Overall: 185 Writing: 176 Listening: 176 Reading: 176 Speaking: 176 |
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: 169 Writing: 169 Listening: 169 Reading: 169 Speaking: 169 |
Overall: 176 Writing: 169 Listening: 169 Reading: 169 Speaking: 169 |
Overall: 185 Writing: 176 Listening: 176 Reading: 176 Speaking: 176 |
Changes for 2020 entry due to coronavirus
We understand that coronavirus has resulted in test centre closures and test cancellations, making it challenging for some applicants to demonstrate that they meet our English language requirements.
We are actively assessing the suitability of alternative means of demonstrating that you meet our English language requirements.
We are happy to announce the following temporary changes for 2020 entry:
English language proficiency tests
- We will accept combined scores from two IELTS (Academic) tests, when both tests have been within six months of each other. Both tests must have been taken within two years of your course start date.
- We will accept Password Skills Test and TOEFL iBT (Home Edition) for entry on to most of our courses
- All offer holders will be contacted with details about how to register for a Password test shortly
Password
(you will need a University of Dundee code, see above)
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: 6.0 Writing: 6.0 Listening: 5.5 Reading: 5.5 Speaking: 5.5 |
Overall: 6.5 Writing: 6.0 Listening: 5.5 Reading: 5.5 Speaking: 5.5 |
Overall: 7.0 Writing: 7.0 Listening: 7.0 Reading: 7.0 Speaking: 7.0 |
TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition
| Lower | Standard | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: 78 Writing: 23 Listening: 19 Reading: 18 Speaking: 18 |
Overall: 88 Writing: 23 Listening: 21 Reading: 20 Speaking: 20 |
Overall: 98 Writing: 27 Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Speaking: 23 |
First degree taught in English
If your degree was fully taught and assessed in English, we may be able to accept this as evidence that you have met our English language requirements. You will need to upload a letter from your university to confirm that the degree was fully taught and assessed in English.
We will assess this on a case by case basis.
These changes are a pilot and are designed solely as a means of entry for those who cannot take an IELTS test due to test centre closures. As test centres re-open, English language requirements may be subject to further changes.
These changes do not represent a wider change to the University of Dundee’s Admissions policy and will be reviewed for September 2021 entry.
Pre-Sessional English requirements
Due to coronavirus, our Summer Pre-Sessional English courses will only be available online. As a result of current test centre closures, we will accept a wider range of English language proficiency tests for entry to our online Pre-Sessional courses in 2020.
Normally - if you are applying to study an on-campus Foundation or Pre-Sessional English course, we can only accept a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) as proof of English language. If you are taking an IELTS (Academic) test, you must select an IELTS for UKVI (Academic).
International English language qualifications
We accept the following international English language qualifications.
Global
You may need to scroll side to side on a mobile
| Qualification | Minimum grade in English language |
|---|---|
| GCE A Level | C |
| GCE AS Level | C |
| GCE O Level | C or 4 |
| GCSE/IGCSE English as a First Language | C or 4 |
| GCSE/IGCSE English as a Second Language | B or 6 |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | SL4 or HL4 |
Africa
You may need to scroll side to side on a mobile
| Country | Qualification | Minimum grade in English element |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | Botswana GCSE (BGCSE) | C |
| Cameroon | GCE O-Level | C |
| Gambia | GCE O-Level | C |
| Gambia | WAEC/WASSCE | C6 |
| Ghana | WAEC/WASSCE | C6 |
| Kenya | KCSE | C |
| Liberia | Senior School Certificate | 6 |
| Malawi | School Certificate of Education | 6 |
| Namibia | Senior Secondary Certificate Higher Level | C |
| Namibia | Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Level | 6 |
| Nigeria | WAEC/WASSCE/NECO | C6 |
| Sierra Leone | GCE O Level | C |
| Sierra Leone | WAEC/WASSCE | C6 |
| South Africa | NSC Senior Certificate | 5 C |
| Swaziland | GCE O Level | C |
| Tanzania | CSEE | C |
| Uganda | UCE | C |
| Zambia | GCE | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | GCE Ordinary Level | C |
Americas
You may need to scroll side to side on a mobile
| Country | Qualification | Minimum grade in English element |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate | 3 |
| Canada | High School Diploma, Grade 12 (excluding Quebec) | 65% |
| USA | High School Diploma | B (when studied in USA) |
| USA | SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing | 500 |
| USA | SAT English Literature | 600 |
| USA | AP English Language & Composition/AP English Literature and & | 3 |
Asia / Australasia
You may need to scroll side to side on a mobile
| Country | Qualification | Minimum Grade in English Element: Lower and Standard | Minimum Grade in English Element: Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | High School Certificate | C or 4 | C or 4 |
| Brunei | Cambridge GCE O Level | C | B |
| Hong Kong, SAR of China | HKDSE | 4 with a minimum of 3 in each component | 5 with a minimum of 4 in each component |
| India | Standard XII (when awarded by CBSE, CISCE and the following State Boards: Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Assam, Goa, Tamil Nadu) | 70% | 80% |
| India | Standard XII (when awarded by the following State Boards: Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana) | 80% | 90% |
| Malaysia | UCLES (1119 Syllabus) | 6C or 6 or C | 4B or 4 or B |
| New Zealand | National Certificate in Educational Achievement Level 2 | Achieved (A) | Achieved (A) |
| Singapore | Cambridge GCE O Level | C | C |
| Sri Lanka | GCE A Level | C | B |
Europe
You may need to scroll side to side on a mobile
| Country | Qualification | Minimum grade in English element |
|---|---|---|
| All | European Baccalaureate | 7.5 when taken as a compulsory/full option |
| Austria | Matura/Reifeprüfung | 2 (gut) when both written and oral exams taken |
| Denmark | Studentereksamen | 7 |
| Finland | Ylioppilastutkintotodistus / Studentexamenbetyg | 5 |
| Germany | Abitur | 10 (gut) when taken as leistungskurs |
| Ireland | Irish Leaving Certificate | C (Honours) |
| Luxembourg | Diplôme de fin d’études secondaires | 45 (bien) |
| Netherlands | VWO diploma | 7 |
| Norway | Vitemal | 4 |
| Scotland | Higher English | C |
| Sweden | Avgångsbetyg/Slutbetyg | VG |
First degree taught in English
If you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) in one of the countries below (a majority English speaking country, as defined by UKVI), then you do not require an English language test.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK
- USA
English language exemptions
If you are a national of a majority English speaking country, as defined by UKVI (listed below), then you do not require an English language test.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK
- USA
Student Recruitment and Admissions