English Language Requirements
Last updated 28 October 2024
English Language Requirements for all applicants
All applicants, regardless of their visa requirements, are required to show that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive full benefit from their degree course. The level of competence required depends on what type of degree you wish to study. Many applicants can demonstrate this through a satisfactory level of achievement in, for example, GCSE English Language or the English courses within the International Baccalaureate.
Applicants whose academic qualifications meet the University’s admissions requirements, but whose English language qualifications are not accepted as equivalent, may be offered a place at Warwick conditional on an acceptable English language qualification being achieved before they join the University. A number of English language tests are accepted; some of the most frequently offered ones are detailed below.
Please note that certain English tests (including IELTS and PTE) must be taken within two years and one month prior to the start of your course at Warwick. Applicants whose tests fall outside this timescale will need to retake a suitable English language test.
Applicants who require a visa
Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK may, depending on the circumstances, be asked to provide evidence of a secure English language test (e.g. IELTS for UKVI (Academic)), rather than an examination (such as International Baccalaureate English) due to the visa requirements set by the UK government.
Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK should visit our immigration adviceLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window pages for up to date information and advice on how to present evidence of their English language qualifications in their visa application.
Please note that where you have taken more than one English language test, we are only able to accept the results from the most recent test.
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (2025 Entry)
If you do not meet the English Language Requirements for your course in full, you may still be eligible for the course on condition of:
- Meeting the English Language Requirements for our Pre-sessional English course, and
- Successfully completing the Pre-sessional English course
Please see the Pre-Sessional English webpage for information about entry requirements and how to apply.
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS)
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
C
Exam Board / Provider
Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standard NSW
English 2 Unit course:
Band A
Band 4 (70%)
Band B
Band 4 (70%)
Band C
Band 4 (70%)
English Extension Unit:
Band A
E1
Band B
E1
Band C
E1
Exam Board / Provider
Northern Territory Board of Studies
English Stage 1 Subject:
Band A
A
Band B
A
Band C
A
English Stage 2 Subject:
Band A
B+
Band B
B+
Band C
A-
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA)
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Exam Board / Provider
SACE Board of South Australia
English Studies Stage 1 Subject:
Band A
B
Band B
B
Band C
B
English Studies Stage 2 Subject:
Band A
C+
Band B
C+
Band C
B
Subject: English Studies
Exam Board / Provider
Tasmanian Qualifications Authority
Band A
CA
Band B
CA
Band C
CA
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
School Curriculum and Standards Authority
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
Schule
Band A
2
Band B
2
Band C
2
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
Botswana Examinations Council (BEC)/UCLES
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
Ministry of Education and Sciences
Band A
5 (State Exam)
Band B
5 (State Exam)
Band C
5 (State Exam)
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only
Band A
A with no less than Borderline in any element or 170 overall with no less than 165 in any component
Band B
A with no less than Borderline in any element or 180 overall with no less than 170 in any component
Band C
A with no less than Borderline in any element or 190 overall with no less than 180 in any component
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only
Band A
C with no less than Borderline in any element or 170 overall with no less than 165 in any component
Band B
C with no less than Borderline in any element or 180 overall with no less than 170 in any component
Band C
C with no less than Borderline in any element or 190 overall with no less than 180 in any component
Subject: English Language Arts (30-1)
Exam Board / Provider
Government of Alberta Education
Band A
80%
Band B
80%
Band C
80%
Subject: English Studies 12 OR English First Peoples 12
Exam Board / Provider
Ministry of Education, British Columbia
Band A
85%
Band B
85%
Band C
85%
Subject: English Grade 12
Exam Board / Provider
Nova Scotia Department of Education
Band A
85%
Band B
85%
Band C
85%
Note: Only acceptable for Canadian nationals
Subject: 4U English
Exam Board / Provider
Ministry of Education, Ontario
Band A
85%
Band B
85%
Band C
85%
Note: General Proficiency English A or English B acceptable
Exam Board / Provider
Caribbean Exams Council
Band A
Three (III)
Band B
Three (III)
Band C
Two (II)
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
Centre for the Evaluation of Education Results
Band A
2
Band B
2
Band C
1
Subject: English (Engelsk)
Exam Board / Provider
Ministry of Education
Band A
7
Band B
7
Band C
10
Subject: English (Engelsk)
Exam Board / Provider
Ministry of Education
Band A
7
Band B
7
Band C
10
The following Duolingo results are required for each English Language band:
Band A
110 overall with minimum 100 in each component (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening)
Band B
120 overall with minimum 110 in each component (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening)
Band C
130 overall with minimum 120 in each component (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening)
Only Duolingo tests that provide individual Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening component scores are acceptable.
Note: English must be studied as a 1st or 2nd language
Exam Board / Provider
Board of Governors of the European Schools
Band A
5
Band B
6
Band C
7
Subject: English (Englannin)
Exam Board / Provider
Matriculation Examination Board
Band A
4
Band B
4
Band C
5
Subject: English Language & Literature (written) OR American Language and Literature (written)
Band A
12
Band B
12
Band C
13
Exam Board / Provider
AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, NICCEA, WJEC, EDUQAS.
CIE not acceptable.
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Note: Only acceptable for applicants who do not require a visa
Exam Board / Provider
AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, CCEA, NICCEA, NI Board.
CIE not acceptable
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Exam Board / Provider
AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, NICCEA, WJEC, EDUQAS.
CIE not acceptable.
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Exam Board / Provider
AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, NICCEA, WJEC, EDUQAS.
CIE not acceptable.
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Note: Please see separate entry in 'Other English Language Qualifications' for IGCSE English as a First Language
Exam Board / Provider
Acceptable: AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, CCEA, NICCEA, NI Board, WJEC/EDUQAS
Band A
4 / C
Band B
4 / C
Band C
6 / B
Exam Board / Provider
Pearson Edexcel.
Band A
44 / CC
Band B
44 / CC
Band C
66 / BB
English Studies
Note: Only acceptable for applicants who do not require a visa
Exam Board / Provider
Edexcel
Band A
B/6
Band B
B/6
Band C
A/8
English Studies (Double Award)
Note: Only acceptable for applicants who do not require a visa
Exam Board / Provider
AQA
Band A
CC/44
Band B
CC/44
Band C
BB/66
Subject: English (Higher, LK or eA subject)
Band A
11
Band B
11
Band C
12
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
HKEAA
Band A
4
Band B
4
Band C
5
Subject: English
Band A
9
Band B
9
Band C
9
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only. In order to verify IELTS results, applicants must provide their Test Report Form number to the Undergraduate Admissions team.
Must be completed in one sitting. IELTS 'One skill Retake' not acceptable.
Band A
6.0 including minimum 5.5 in each component
Band B
6.5 including minimum 6.0 in each component
Band C
7.0 including minimum 6.5 in each component
Note: IGCSE English as a Second Language is not acceptable
Exam Board / Provider
Any
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English Elective C (Subject code 101) OR English Language and Literature OR English Core
Exam Board / Provider
CBSE (All India Senior School Certificate Examination - AISSCE) OR CISCE (Indian School Certificate - ISC) only
Band A
75% (first attempt)
Band B
80% (first attempt)
Band C
85% (first attempt)
Exam Board / Provider
IBO
Band A
HL 4
Band B
HL 4
Band C
HL 5
Exam Board / Provider
IBO
Band A
SL 5
Band B
SL 5
Band C
SL 6
Note: Includes the following at Higher or Standard Level - English A (including A1 or A2), English Literature A, English Language and Literature, English Literature and Performance, Language A: Language and Literature
Exam Board / Provider
IBO
Band A
HL 4 or SL 4
Band B
HL 4 or SL 4
Band C
HL 5 or SL 5
Note: Only acceptable for Irish or UK applicants who do not require a visa.
Higher Level
Exam Board / Provider
Irish Examining Board
Band A
H4
Band B
H4
Band C
H3
Note: Only acceptable for Irish or UK applicants who do not require a visa.
Ordinary Level
Exam Board / Provider
Irish Examining Board
Band A
O4
Band B
O4
Band C
O3
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
The Kenya National Examinations Council
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: Foreign Language (English) - Uzsienion Kalba (angly) State Exam
Exam Board / Provider
Republic of Lithuania
Republic of Lithuania
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
The Malawi National Education Board
Band A
6
Band B
6
Band C
4
Subject: Intermediate Level: English
Exam Board / Provider
Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Board
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Board
Band A
5
Band B
5
Band C
3
Subject: English First Language (syllabus 6095). English as a second language is not acceptable.
Exam Board / Provider
Namibia Ministry of Education/UCLES
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English
Band A
8
Band B
8
Band C
8
Subject: English (Engelsk)
Band A
4
Band B
4
Band C
5
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
BEBD/UCLES
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English
Note: Acceptable when awarded up to and including 2020 only
Exam Board / Provider
UCLES/CIE
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Exam Board / Provider
UCLES/CIE
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only.
Band A
60 with no less than 59 in any of the Communicative Skills
Band B
69 with no less than 59 in any of the Communicative Skills
Band C
75 with no less than 59 in any of the Communicative Skills
Subject: English - Extended Level
Exam Board / Provider
Centralna Komisja Egazaminacyjna (Polish Central Examination Board)
Band A
80% in written extended English & 80% in oral English
Band B
80% in written extended English & 80% in oral English
Band C
80% in written extended English & 80% in oral English
Exam Board / Provider
SQA
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Exam Board / Provider
SQA
Band A
C or 5 to 6
Band B
C or 5 to 6
Band C
B or 3 to 4
Subject
Any English Language & Literature module taken in year 4 and above
Band A
C or 2.0
Band B
C or 2.0
Band C
B or 3.5
Subject: English Language (Syllabus 1128)
Exam Board / Provider
Ministry of Education, Singapore / CIE / Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board
Band A
C6
Band B
C6
Band C
B4
Subject: Language Arts (IP)
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English Language (Sec 4) - IP
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: Analysis, Research and Communication (renamed English Language and Critical Thinking) Sec 4
Exam Board / Provider
School of the Arts (SOTA)
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English Language GPA (IP)
Note: Students at Raffles Girls School and Raffles Institution must provide evidence their GPA is 3.6
Band A
3.6 or grade A
Band B
3.6 or grade A
Band C
3.6 or grade A
Subject: Language and Linguistics H2 (IP)
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English Home Language
Exam Board / Provider
UMALUSI (Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training South Africa)
Band A
4
Band B
4
Band C
5
Subject:
English 7
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English 1st Language
Note: Matura must be federally recognised
Band A
5
Band B
5
Band C
5
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
The National Examinations Council of Tanzania
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Subject: English
Exam Board / Provider
Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Zanzibar
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only
MyBest scores will not be accepted. All components on a single test date must meet the required level.
Band A
213 (Computer)
87 (iBT or iBT Special Home Edition) with minimum of 21 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking
Band B
250 (Computer)
92 (iBT or iBT Special Home Edition) with minimum of 21 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking
Band C
260 (Computer)
100 (iBT or iBT Special Home Edition) with minimum of 21 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only
Band A
Merit Merit Merit Merit in four components
Band B
Distinction Distinction Merit Merit in four components
Band C
Not Acceptable
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only
Band A
Pass Pass Pass Pass in four components
Band B
Pass Pass Pass Pass in four components
Band C
Distinction Distinction Merit Merit in four components
Note: Acceptable when taken on or after 1 September 2023 for September 2025 entry only
Band A
Pass Pass Pass Pass in four components
Band B
Pass Pass Pass Pass in four components
Band C
Pass Pass Pass Pass in four components
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
Uganda National Examinations Board
Band A
6
Band B
6
Band C
4
Exam Board / Provider
University of Warwick
Band A
Credit (50%) overall including minimum Pass (40%) in each component
Band B
High Credit (60%) overall including minimum Credit (50%) in each component
Band C
Distinction (70%) overall including minimum High Credit (60%) in each component
Subject: English (Composite overall score)
Note: Superscore not accepted. Most recent Highest Full Battery scores will be considered.
Where individual component scores fall below our composite score requirements, you may be required to take a new English Language qualification.
Exam Board / Provider
The ACT
Band A
28
Band B
28
Band C
29
Subject: English Language and Composition
Note: Results must be shared via the College Board
Exam Board / Provider
College Board
Band A
3
Band B
3
Band C
4
Subject: Reading & Writing, Math
Note: Grades should be met in one sitting. Essay score is not counted in the overall score.
Exam Board / Provider
College Board
Band A
1340/1600 with no less than 540 in any subject
Band B
1340/1600 with no less than 540 in any subject
Band C
1340/1600 with no less than 540 in any subject
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)
Band A
C6
Band B
C6
Band C
B3
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
Examinations Council of Zambia
Band A
6
Band B
6
Band C
4
Subject: English Language
Exam Board / Provider
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC)
Band A
C
Band B
C
Band C
B
Our Course Band Requirements
You can find the English language band requirements for the course you are interested in on our Undergraduate course pages.
Look for the Language Requirements header under the Entry Requirements tab on each course page for more information.