Guide

English language requirements

Updated on 18 March 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.

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 tests 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 statement of results and URN.

Where you have taken more than one English Language test, we are only able to accept the results from the most recent test.

We will verify your English Language qualification before issuing the CAS. If it is discovered that an applicant has submitted a fraudulent score or 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 require to do so to remain compliant with UKVI.

The University of Dundee accepts the following proficiencies:

UKVI recognised Secure English language tests (SELT)

We also accept the following Non UKVI SELT English Language tests

We will only accept TOEFL iBT scores taken in one sitting.

We will not accept MyBest scores.

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 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 commencement date of your studies with us. Please be aware that certain courses may still necessitate an English language proficiency test. You can find further details in your offer letter.

Certain International high school qualifications must be verified online 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 obtained 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.

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

UK

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QualificationMinimum grades accepted
GCE A Level - English Language/English Language and Literature/English LiteratureC
GCE AS Level - English LanguageC
GCE O LevelC or 4
GCSE - English Language/English Literature and Language/English StudiesC or 4
IGCSE – English as a First LanguageC or 4
IGCSE – English as a second LanguageB or 6
SQA Higher - EnglishC
SQA Higher - ESOLC
Scottish National 5 - EnglishB or 3/4
International Baccalaureate (IB)SL4 or HL4

Africa

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CountryQualificationMinimum grades accepted
BotswanaGCE in English LanguageA-C
CameroonO LevelA-C
Gambia*West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English LanguageA1 – C6
Ghana*West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English LanguageA1 – C6
KenyaCertificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in EnglishA-C
Liberia*West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English LanguageA1 - C6
MalawiMalawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) in English1-6
Nigeria*NECOA1 – C6
Nigeria*West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English LanguageA1 – C6
Sierra Leone*West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English LanguageA1 - C6
South AfricaNational Senior Certificate in English Home LanguageGrade C or above
UgandaEast African Certificate of Education1-6

Asia

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CountryQualificationMinimum grades accepted
BruneiCambridge GCE O LevelC
Hong KongHKDSE4 with minimum of 3 in each component
India*Standard XII (CBSE or CISCE Only)70%
MalaysiaCambridge GCE O Level syllabus 1119A-C
MalaysiaUCLES GCE O Level (up to and including 2020)6C or 6 or C
New ZealandNational Certificate in Educational Achievement Level 2/3Achieved (A)
SingaporeCambridge GCE O LevelC

Europe

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CountryQualificationsMinimum grade accepted
EuropeEuropean Baccalaureate 7.5 when taken as compulsory or full option 
Austria Austria Matura/Reifeprufung in English 2(gut) when both written and oral exams taken 
Denmark Studentereksamen in English 
Finland Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen in English 
Germany Abitur in English 10 (Gut) 
Ireland Irish Leaving Certificate C (Honours) 
Luxembourg Diplome de fin d’etudes secondaires 45 (bien) 
Netherlands VWO diploma 
Norway Vitnemal 
Sweden Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg VG 

Rest of world

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CountryQualificationMinimum grade accepted
AustraliaHigh School Qualification in English Language A-C 
Canada Secondary School Diploma (May vary dependent on territory) 65% 
USA High School Diploma (Grade 12 English) C
USA SAT Evidence based reading and writing 500
USA SAT English Language 600
USA AP English Language & Composition/AP English Literature 3

Degrees taught in English

Some degrees from non–majority English-speaking countries, or regions, that are taught and assessed in English are accepted by the University of Dundee as meeting English Language requirements.

For universities below marked with a * we require either:

  • a letter from the university confirming medium of teaching and assessment was in English or
  • a Certificate confirming medium of teaching and assessment was in English. 

All studies at your first university must have been completed within the validity period shown before starting your Dundee degree.

Country Universities Validity Period
Botswana Accredited Universities as listed on ECCTIS Unlimited
Canada
  • Cape Breton University
  • University of Alberta*
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Calgary
  • McGill University*
  • Carleton University
  • University of Toronto
  • York University*
  • University of Montreal
  • Concordia University*
  • University of Windsor
2 Years
Gambia University of the Gambia Unlimited
Ghana All NAB accredited Universities  Unlimited
Hong Kong
  • City University of Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Lingan University*
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • The University of Hong Kong
2 Years
India *
  • University of Mumbai*
  • University of Delhi*
  • University of Pune*
  • University of Bangalore*
  • IIMs*
  • IITs*
  • Kinnaird College for Women*
2 years
Kenya Accredited Universities as listed on ECCTIS Unlimited
Lebanon 
  • American University of Beirut
  • Lebanese American University
  • Lebanese International University
2 Years
Nigeria ALL NUC Accredited institutions Unlimited
Pakistan 

NUST*, LUMS*, COMSATS*, Kinnaird College*  

 

2 years
Singapore NUS, NTU 2 years
South Africa Accredited Universities as listed on ECCTIS Unlimited
Tanzania Accredited Universities as listed on ECCTIS Unlimited
Uganda Accredited Universities as listed on ECCTIS Unlimited
Zambia Accredited Universities as listed on ECCTIS Unlimited
Zimbabwe Accredited Universities as listed on ECCTIS Unlimited

English language exemptions

If you are a national of a majority English speaking country, as defined by UKVI (listed below), or if you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) in one of the countries below within the last two years prior to your start date then it's possible that you do not require to provide an English language test.

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • UK
  • USA

Canadian nationals are exempt from English Language requirements. Non-Canadian nationals are exempt from English if their entire degree has been studied at an Anglophone Canadian university.

Citizens of British Overseas Territories

If you are a citizen of the British Overseas Territories you will not be required to prove your English Language proficiency.

The qualifying territories are:

  • Anguilla
  • Bermuda
  • British Antarctic Territory
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Falkland Islands
  • Gibraltar
  • Montserrat
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
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