English language requirements - 2022 entry
Nationals of a majority English-speaking country may be accepted without an English qualification if during the application process it has been demonstrated that you are able to understand written and spoken English to the required level.
| Antigua and Barbuda | Dominica | St Kitts and Nevis |
| Australia | Grenada | St Lucia |
| The Bahamas | Guyana | St Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Barbados | Jamaica | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Belize | Malta | United Kingdom |
| Canada* | New Zealand | 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.
If you reside in one of these countries, you are not required to submit evidence of English language proficiency if you:
- Have undertaken a full degree in one of these countries and completed it no more than two years before the intended start of your chosen postgraduate programme.
- The degree certificate is successfully verified with the issuing body on receipt. Any applicant found to have submitted a fraudulent score will have their application withdrawn.
Duolingo - for 2022 entry
We understand that some students may be facing difficulties accessing in-person English Language tests, for example due to the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. Therefore we can confirm that where students are having difficulties taking an acceptable English language test in their home country, because of lockdowns, travel restrictions or test centres being closed for whatever reasons, we will accept Duolingo for students starting their studies in September 2022.
Requirements for Duolingo are shown in the below table. Please check the standard IELTS requirement for your subject in the dropdowns above, to confirm the equivalent score required within Duolingo.
| Required score | IELTS | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5 overall and no less than 7.0 in any other section | 130 with 120 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 7.5 overall and no less than 6.5 in any other section | 130 with 110 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 7.0 overall and no less than 7.0 in any other section | 125 with 120 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 7.0 overall and no less than 6.5 in any other section | 125 with 110 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 7.0 overall and no less than 6.0 in any other section | 125 with 100 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in other sections | 125 with 110 in Literacy and 100 in conversation | |
| 6.5 overall and no less than 6.5 in any other section | 115 with 110 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 6.5 overall and no less than 6.0 in any other section | 115 with 100 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 6.0 overall and no less than 6.0 in any other section | 105 with 100 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 6.0 overall and no less than 5.5 in any other section | 105 with 90 in Literacy and conversation | |
| 5.5 (with no subskill less than 5.0) | 95 with 90 in Literacy and conversation |
English language requirements vary by programme, and our individual programme pages list the required test scores for IELTS, TOEFL and Pearson.
Other accepted English language tests
We also accept many other English language tests. Once you know the required IELTS score from your chosen programme you can look up the corresponding score below.
These tests are valid for 2 years prior to the start of the programme
| Test name | Required score |
|---|---|
| IELTS and IELTS Indicator (International English Language Testing System – academic version) | 6.5 overall and no less than 6 in any other section |
| TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition | 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking. MyBest scores are not accepted |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE and Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE online | 67 with no less than 64 in all communicative skills |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 Communicator with minimum 39 in speaking, writing, listening, reading |
| AES-Bellerbys (Study Group) | Minimum of 70% overall, no less than 60% in any subskill |
These tests are valid for 7 years prior to the start of the programme
| Test name | Required score |
|---|---|
| A or AS level English | Grade D |
| GCSE English Language/Cambridge GCE O level/Cambridge Overseas School Certificate | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a First Language | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge Pre-U Literature in English (Principal Subject) | P2 |
| Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BTGCSE) | Grades 3-6 (credit); Grade C |
| Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency | 176 overall, no less than 169 in any element |
| Edexcel IGCSE English as a First Language | Grade C |
| Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language | Grade B |
| European Baccalaureate L1 | 60% |
| European Baccalaureate L2 | 70% |
| European Baccalaureate L3 | 70% |
| French Baccalaureat | Grade 12 |
| French Baccalaureat (option International du Baccalaureat) | Grade 10 |
| HKDSE English (Core) | Level 4 overall |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala Boards, Telangana State) | 70% |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (West Bengal Board). | 65% |
| International Baccalaureate English | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 |
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade C (4) |
| Malaysian SPM English (1119/O level paper only) | Grade C |
| Norwegian Vitnemal – videregaende opplaering | Overall score of 4 |
| NCUK's EAP (English for Academic Purposes) | B overall, no less than C in any section |
| Ontario Secondary School Certificate | Grade C (75%) |
| Canada Year 12 Secondary School Certificate / High School Diploma (except Quebec) | Grade C (75%) |
| Singaporean Applicants | Singapore-Cambridge O level English grade B or Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language/Language Arts grade B or better |
| South African National Senior Certificate/South African Matriculation Certificate | Grade 4 |
| Trinity ISE III exams (SELT variant only) | Merit in writing section and pass in all other sections |
| West African Examinations Council SSCE in English at first sitting | Grade C6 |
| Uganda National Examinations Board Certificate of Education (UCE) | Grades 3-6 (credit); Grade C |
| USA High School Graduation Diploma | Grade C (75%) |
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education O level English | Grade C |
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education Advanced level English (ZIMSEC) | Grade D |
These tests are valid for 2 years prior to the start of the programme
| Test name | Required score |
|---|---|
| IELTS and IELTS Indicator (International English Language Testing System – academic version) | 7 overall and no less than 6 in any other section |
| TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition | 100 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking. MyBest scores are not accepted |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE and Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE online | 70 with no less than 64 in all communicative skills |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 Expert with minimum 25 in speaking, writing, listening, reading |
| AES-Bellerbys (Study Group) | Minimum of 70% overall, no less than 60% in any subskill |
These tests are valid for 7 years prior to the start of the programme
| Test name | Required score |
|---|---|
| A or AS level English | Grade C |
| GCSE English Language/Cambridge GCE O level/Cambridge Overseas School Certificate | Grade B |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a First Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language | Grade A |
| Cambridge Pre-U Literature in English (Principal Subject) | M3 |
| Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BTGCSE) | Grades 1 and 2 (distinction); Grades A and B |
| Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency | 185 overall, no less than 169 in any element |
| Edexcel IGCSE English as a First Language | Grade B |
| Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language | Grade A |
| European Baccalaureate L1 | 70% |
| European Baccalaureate L2 | 80% |
| European Baccalaureate L3 | 80% |
| French Baccalaureat | Grade 14 |
| French Baccalaureat (option International du Baccalaureat) | Grade 12 |
| HKDSE English (Core) | Level 5 overall |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala Boards, Telangana State) | 80% |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (West Bengal Board). | 75% |
| International Baccalaureate English | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 |
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade B (5) |
| Malaysian SPM English (1119/O level paper only) | Grade B |
| Norwegian Vitnemal – videregaende opplaering | Overall score of 5 |
| NCUK's EAP (English for Academic Purposes) | A overall, no less than C in any section |
| Ontario Secondary School Certificate | Grade B (85%) |
| Canada Year 12 Secondary School Certificate / High School Diploma (except Quebec) | Grade B (85%) |
| Singaporean Applicants | Singapore-Cambridge O level English grade B or Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language/Language Arts grade B or better |
| South African National Senior Certificate/South African Matriculation Certificate | Grade 5 |
| Trinity ISE III exams (SELT variant only) | Distinction in speaking and listening and nothing less than merit in other sections |
| West African Examinations Council SSCE in English at first sitting | Grade B3 |
| Uganda National Examinations Board Certificate of Education (UCE) | Grades 1 and 2 (distinction); Grades A and B |
| USA High School Graduation Diploma | Grade B (85%) |
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education O level English | Grade B |
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education Advanced level English (ZIMSEC) | Grade C |
These tests are valid for 2 years prior to the start of the programme
| Test name | Required score |
|---|---|
| IELTS and IELTS Indicator (International English Language Testing System – academic version) | Overall score 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in the writing component and all other sections no less than 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition | 100 with minimum scores of 25 for writing, and no less than 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking. MyBest scores are not accepted |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE and Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE online | 70 with no less than 67 in writing skills and 64 in all other communicative skills |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 Expert with minimum 33 in writing, and no less than 31 in speaking, listening and reading |
| AES-Bellerbys (Study Group) | Minimum of 70% overall, no less than 65% in writing any no less than 55% in any subskill |
These tests are valid for 7 years prior to the start of the programme
| Test name | Required score |
|---|---|
| A or AS | Grade C |
| GCSE English Language/Cambridge GCE O level/Cambridge OverseasSchool Certificate | Grade B. English as a second language not accepted |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a First Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language | Not accepted |
| Cambridge Pre-U Literature in English (Principal Subject) | M3 |
| Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BTGCSE) | Not accepted |
| Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency | 185 overall, no less than 176 in any element |
| Edexcel IGCSE English as a First Language | Grade B |
| Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language | Not accepted |
| European Baccalaureate L1 | 70% |
| European Baccalaureate L2 | 80% |
| European Baccalaureate L3 | 80% |
| French Baccalaureat | Grade 14 |
| French Baccalaureat (option International du Baccalaureat) | Grade 12 |
| HKDSE English (Core) | Level 5 overall |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala Boards, Telangana State) | 85% from ISC/CBSE Board only. Other State Boards not accepted |
| Indian Standard XII English at first attempt (West BengalBoard). | 75% |
| International Baccalaureate English | Standard Level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 |
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | Not accepted |
| Malaysian SPM English (1119/O level paper only) | Grade B |
| Norwegian Vitnemal - videregaende opplaering | Overall score of 5 |
| NCUK's EAP (English for Academic Purposes) | A overall, no less than B in any section |
| Ontario Secondary School Certificate | Grade B (85%) |
| Canada Year 12 Secondary School Certificate / High School Diploma(except Quebec) | Grade B (85%) |
| Singaporean Applicants | Singapore-Cambridge O level English grade B or Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language/Language Arts grade B or better |
| South African National Senior Certificate/South AfricanMatriculation Certificate | Grade 5 |
| Trinity ISE III exams (SELT variant only) | Distinction in speaking and listening and nothing less than merit in other sections |
| West African Examinations Council SSCE in English at firstsitting | Not accepted |
| Uganda National Examinations Board Certificate of Education (UCE) | Not accepted |
| USA High School Graduation Diploma | Grade B (85%) |
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education O level English | Grade B |
| Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education Advanced level English(ZIMSEC) | Grade C |
Further information
If you wish to defer your entry to the University, we may ask you to re-take your test if your original offer was based on a test which will be out of date at the point of registration.
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.
The University reserves the right to change minimum English Language requirements during an application cycle in-line with any compliance guidance released by the Home Office. In the event of a change in Home Office policy which affects entry requirements, the University will notify affected applicants in writing.
Exemptions
Full degrees studied in full and completed in a majority speaking English country if taken no more than two years prior to enrolment.
Our Pre-sessional English programmes are designed to improve your English language skills to meet the standard required for your chosen degree at the University of Exeter. To find out more, and to submit an application, please visit the INTO University of Exeter website.
If you successfully complete the Pre-Sessional English programme at INTO University of Exeter and meet the progression requirements for entry to your academic programme of study, it is not necessary to undertake an additional IELTS or TOEFL test. Please note that we do not accept pre-sessional courses delivered by other INTO centres or organisations.
If you have taken any other accepted test and wish to confirm if a pre-sessional English course is required or recommended, please contact us.
