Applying
English language requirements for programmes starting in 2013
Students who have completed their education in an English-speaking country (eg, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (excluding Francophone Canada*), Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA) may be accepted without an English qualification (as detailed below) if during the application process it has been demonstrated that you are able to understand written and spoken English to the required level.
*Please note, candidates coming from Quebec, or other Francophone Canadian institutions, would still be required to complete language qualifications.
The IELTS, TOEFL and Pearson examinations, with scores as indicated, along with degrees from Anglophone countries indicated above are acceptable for direct entry if taken no more than two years prior to enrolment. Other High School qualifications must have been completed no more than four years prior to enrolment.
All test scores are verified with the issuing body on receipt. Any applicant found to have submitted a fraudulent score will have their application withdrawn and UCAS will be advised.
The University reserves the right to change minimum English Language requirements during an application cycle in-line with any new compliance guidance released by the UKBA. In the event of a change in UKBA policy which affects entry requirements the University will notify affected applicants in writing (normally by email).
| English language requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | IELTS (Academic) | TOEFL IBT* | Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
| All subjects except those listed below | at least 6.5 overall and no less than 6.0 in the writing section and no less than 5.5 in any other section | at least 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking | 58 with a minimum of 51 in all skills |
| BSc Medical Imaging BClinSci Clinical Science |
at least 7.0 overall and no less than 6.5 in any other section | at least 100 with minimum scores of 25 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking | 65 with no less than 58 in all skills |
| Accountancy, Business, Economics, English, History, Law and Psychology (including Combined Honours) | at least 7.0 overall and no less than 6.0 in any other section | at least 100 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking | 65 with no less than 55 in all skills |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) | IELTS band 7.5 or above with no less than 6.0 and at least 7.0 in each of the Speaking and Listening sections | Overall score of 110 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 25 for listening, 22 for reading and 25 for speaking | 73 with no less than 65 in all skills |
*please note that we do not accept TOEIC or the TOEFL Institutional Testing Program (ITP)
Alternative English language qualifications and requirements
| Qualification | Minimum alternative English language qualifications for programmes requiring equivalent of IELTS 6.5 with 6 in writing and no less than 5.5 in any section | Minimum alternative English language qualifications for programmes requiring equivalent of IELTS 7 overall and no less than 6 in any section | Minimum alternative English Language qualifications for Medical related programmes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A or AS level English | Grade D or above | Grade C or above | Grade B or above |
| GCSE English Language / IGCSE English as a first or second language / Cambridge GCE O level / Cambridge Overseas School Certificate | Grade C or above | Grade B or above | Grade A. English as a second language not accepted |
| Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BTGCSE) | Grades 3-6 (credit); Grade C | Grades 1 and 2 (distinction); Grades A and B | Not accepted |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English | Grade C or above | Grade B or above | Grade A |
| Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English | Grade C or above | Grade B or above | Grade B |
| East African Certificate of Education | English: Grade C or above | English: Grade B or above | Not accepted |
| European Baccalaureate | L1: English: 60% or above L2: English: 70% or above L3: English: 70% or above |
L1: English: 70% or above L2: English: 80% or above L3: English: 80% or above |
L1: English: 75% or above L2: English: 85% or above L3: English: 85% or above |
| French Baccalaureate (option International du Baccalaureat) | English: Grade 10 | English: Grade 10 | English: Grade 10.5 |
| International Baccalaureate English | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 or above | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 or above | Standard Level Grade 6 or Higher Level grade 5. English as a first language only acceptable |
| Hong Kong applicants | Grade C or above in HKALE Advanced Supplementary Level: Use of English or HKCEE English Language Grade 3 or above | Grade C in HKALE Advanced Supplementary Level: Use of English or HKCEE English Language Grade 4 or above | Grade B in HKALE Advanced Supplementary Level: Use of English or HKCEE English Language Grade 5 or above |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (ISC/CBSE/West Bengal Boards) | at least 65% | at least 75% | At least 85% from ISC / CBSE Board only. Other State Boards not accepted |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (Maharastra Board) | at least 70% | at least 80% | Not accepted |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Boards) | at least 75% | at least 85% | Not accepted |
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | English: Grade C (4) or above | English: Grade B or above | Not accepted |
| Malawi Certificate of School Education (MCSE) | Grades 3 and 4 (credit); Grade C | Grades 1 and 2 (distinction); Grades A and B | Not accepted |
| Malaysian SPM English (1119 / O level paper only) | Grade C or above | Grade B or above | Grade A |
| Norwegian Vitnemal – videregaende opplaering | English: Overall score of 4 or above | English: Overall score of 5 or above | English: Overall score of 5 or above |
| Ontario Secondary School Certificate | English Grade C (75%) or above | English Grade B (80%) or above | English Grade A (85%) or above |
| Singaporean Applicants | Singapore-Cambridge O level English grade C or Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language grade C or better | Singapore-Cambridge O level or Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language grade B or better | Singapore-Cambridge O level English grade A or Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language grade A or better |
| South African National Senior Certificate/South African Matriculation Certificate | English: Grade C or above | English: Grade B or above | English: Grade A |
| West African Examinations Council SSCE in English at first sitting | English: Grade C6 or above | English: Grade B3 or above | Not accepted |
| Uganda National Examinations Board Certificate of Education (UCE) | Grades 3-6 (credit); Grade C | Grades 1 and 2 (distinction); Grades A and B | Not accepted |
| USA High School Graduation Diploma | English Grade C (75–79%) or above | English Grade B (80–89%) or above | Considered on a case by case basis |
| USA SATS II (Subject) | Will be considered on an individual basis subject to academic background and grades | Will be considered on an individual basis subject to academic background and grades | Considered on a case by case basis |
| Zambian School Certificate Examination English Language | Grade A1/A2 | Grade A1/A2 | Not accepted |
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education O level English | Grade C or above | Grade B or above | Grade A |
| ZIMSEC A level English | Grade D or above | Grade C or above | Grade B or above |
English programmes at INTO University of Exeter
If you do not reach the required English standard, undergraduate study at Exeter could still be a possibility if you attend a Pre-Sessional Summer Course at the INTO University of Exeter Centre. These intensive five- or ten-week courses are designed for students who wish to improve their ability in English and study skills before they start their degree programme. If you undertake a pre-sessional course you may be permitted to start your formal programme of study without retaking an IELTS or TOEFL test, depending on your language ability at entry and your progress on the course. Guidelines as to how much pre-sessional tuition is required are given on the INTO Centre website.
If you do not meet the pre-sessional entry requirements or want to have longer to understand and learn new skills, the Centre also offers English for university study which includes a greater focus on study skills alongside language tuition. The Foundation or Diploma offered by the Centre, can also be used as an academic or English language ‘top-up’ prior to undergraduate study in the relevant field.
Updated: October 2012
