Guide
English language requirements
Updated on 19 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.
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 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):
- IELTS (Academic) UKVI (including One Skill Retake)
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
- Trinity ISE
- LanguageCert SELT UKVI
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
UK and Global
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Qualification | Minimum grades accepted |
---|---|
GCE A Level - English Language/English Language and Literature/English Literature | C |
GCE AS Level - English Language | C |
GCE O Level | C or 4 |
GCSE - English Language/English Literature and Language/English Studies | C or 4 |
IGCSE – English as a First Language | C or 4 |
IGCSE – English as a second Language | B or 6 |
SQA Higher - English | C |
SQA Higher - ESOL | C |
Scottish National 5 - English | B or 3/4 |
International Baccalaureate (IB) | SL4 or HL4 |
Africa
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Country | Qualification | Minimum grades accepted |
---|---|---|
Gambia | West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English Language | A1 – C6 |
Ghana | West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English Language | A1 – C6 |
Kenya | Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in English | A-C |
Liberia | West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English Language | A1 - C6 |
Nigeria | NECO | A1 – C6 |
Nigeria | West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English Language | A1 – C6 |
Sierra Leone | West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) in English Language | A1 - C6 |
South Africa | National Senior Certificate in English Home Language | Grade C or above |
Asia
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Country | Qualification | Minimum grades accepted |
---|---|---|
Brunei | Cambridge GCE O Level | C |
Hong Kong | HKDSE | 4 with minimum of 3 in each component |
India | Standard XII (CBSE or CISCE Only) | 70% |
Malaysia | Cambridge GCE O Level syllabus 1119 | A-C |
Malaysia | UCLES GCE O Level (up to and including 2020) | 6C or 6 or C |
New Zealand | National Certificate in Educational Achievement Level 2/3 | Achieved (A) |
Singapore | Cambridge GCE O Level | C |
Europe
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Country | Qualifications | Minimum grade accepted |
---|---|---|
Europe | European 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 | 7 |
Finland | Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen in English | 5 |
Germany | Abitur in English | 10 (Gut) |
Ireland | Irish Leaving Certificate | C (Honours) |
Luxembourg | Diplome de fin d’etudes secondaires | 45 (bien) |
Netherlands | VWO diploma | 7 |
Norway | Vitnemal | 4 |
Sweden | Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg | VG |
Rest of world
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Country | Qualification | Minimum grade accepted |
---|---|---|
Australia | High 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 |
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 5 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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