English Language Equivalencies: Last updated July 2023

Secure English language tests – SELTs

Qualification Level required

IELTS (Academic version taken in 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in
person) each element each element each element
(UKVI or non UKVI but only UKVI
recognised as a SELT)
Must have been taken within the last two
years. We do not accept ‘best scores’ i.e
the best scores in each element across
multiple tests.
IELTs Online is not accepted

Language Cert (SELT only) SELT B2 Communicator - 33 SELT B2 Communicator - 33 SELT C1 Expert - 33 overall with
overall with no less than 33 overall with no less than 33 no less than 33 in any skills
We do not accept Language Cert (in in any skills in any skills
person non SELT)
PTE Academic UKVI or non UKVI but 65 (minimum 59) 71 (minimum 65) 76 (minimum 65)
only UKVI recognised as a SELT Pearson (7.5 IELTS with no less than 7.0 in
Test of English Academic. Must have been each element requires 79
taken within the last two years. We do not (minimum 76)
accept ‘best scores’ i.e the best scores in
each element across multiple of tests

Trinity College London ISE ISE II Merit overall with no ISE II Distinction overall with ISE III Pass overall
(Integrated Skills in English) lower that ISE II Pass in any no lower that ISE II Merit in
Must have been taken within the last level any level
two years. We do not accept ‘best
scores’ i.e the best scores in each
element across multiple tests
Qualification Level required
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 6.5 with no less than 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each
5.5 in each element 6.0 in each element element
GCE A Level English C C B
Language or English
Liteature GCE AS C C B
Lvel English
Language or English
Li
Cater
mbari
tur e
dge C C B
International AS Level
English General Paper C C B
Cambridg Interntional
Level 2 Certificate Must
have been taken within the
last two years. We do not
accept ‘best scores’ i.e the
best scores in each element
across multiple tests
Cambridge 169 with no element below 162 184 with no element below 169 190 with no element below 169
Proficiency/Advanced test
(CAE) (from January 2015) (7.5 IELTS with no less than 7.0 in
Must have been taken within each component requires 191 with
the last two years. no element below 185)
We do not accept ‘best scores’ i.e
the best scores in each element
across multiple tests
GCSE / IGCSE / O Level English C/4 C/4 B/6
Language or English Literature
(Including as a first or second
language – except for IGCSE as a
second language – see below)
IGCSE Second Language English B/6 B/6 A /7

International Baccalaureate 4 4 5
English A1 or A2 or English
Literature (Standard or Higher
Level)
International Baccalaureate 4 4 5
English B (Higher Level)
International Baccalaureate 5 5 6
English B (Standard Level)
European Baccalaureate 6 6 7
(first or second language)
Kaplan Foundation 60% (min 55%) 65% (min 60%) 70% (min 60%)
English Test (KITE)
When taken as part of full
Kaplan academic
programme. Marks shown
are for Academic English
element
Study Group Foundation 50% (min 40) 60% (min 50) 70% (min 50)
courses
Marks shown are for Academic
English Skills element
TOEFL (IBT) 80 (minimum 17 in Writing and 90 (minimum 19 in Writing and 100 (minimum 19 in Writing and
Must have been taken Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in
within the last two years. speaking) Speaking) Speaking)
We do not accept:
TOEFL Home Edition
or
‘best scores’ i.e. the best
scores in each element
across multiple tests

University of Nottingham Satisfactory completion of 2 years Satisfactory completion of Satisfactory completion of

Malaysia or China Campus at UNMC or UNNC 2 years at UNMC or UNNC 2 years at UNMC or UNNC
University of Reading Confirmation of IELTS equivalent Confirmation of IELTS equivalent Confirmation of IELTS equivalent
TEEP required from Reading required from Reading required from Reading
Qualification Level required
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each
element I element I element
University Degrees from
an overseas campus of a
These will be accepted on a case by case basis where the course at the overseas campus is taught and
recognised University of a
assessed entirely in English and awarded by the home university
majority English Speaking
country

Russell Group* Universities’ We accept other Russell Groups’ English Language tests (CELE equivalents) on a case by case basis where there
English Language Assessments
(CELE equivalent) are clear IELTS equivalencies and testing in all four elements and this course is undertaken at the University and
* see below for Russell Group list not an affiliated private provider

List of Russell Group Institutions – Updated September 2022

University of Birmingham Imperial College London University of Oxford

University of Bristol Kings College London Queens University Belfast

University of Cambridge University of Leeds Queen Mary University of London

Cardiff University University of Liverpool University of Sheffield

Durham University London School of Economics University of Southampton

University of Edinburgh University of Manchester University College London

University of Exeter Newcastle University University of Warwick

University of Glasgow University of Nottingham University of York

Country/Qualification Level required
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each
5.5 in each element element element
Austria Matura / 2 (gut) when both written and oral 2 (gut) when both written and oral 2 (gut) when both written and oral
Reifeprufung exams have been taken exams have been taken exams have been taken

Belgium Abschlusszeugnis der 8 / 80% or Grote avec grande 8 / 80% or Grote avec grande 8 / 80% or Grote avec grande
Oberstufe des distinction distinction distinction
Sekundarunterrichts
(German speaking)
Certificat
d’Enseignement
Secondaire Superieur
(CESS) (French
speaking)
Diploma van
Secundair Onderwijs
(previously
Getuigschrift)
(Dutch speaking)

Bermuda Bermuda Secondary C C B

School Certificate
Botswana Botswana GCSE C C B
(BGCSE)
Brunei O-Level C C B
Cameroon O level C C B
Canada English 11/English 12 English 11 or 12 - 75% English 11 or 12 - 75% English 11 or 12 - 81%
(Alberta, New
Brunswick, New
Foundland, North West
Territories, Nova Scotia,
Prince Edward Island,
Saskatchewan - General
High School Diploma;
British Colombia, Yukon
- Senior Secondary
Graduation Diploma;
Manitoba - High School
Graduation Diploma,
Ontario
Country Qualification Level Required
6.0 with no less than 5.5 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each
IELTs in each element element element
Caribbean CXC CSEC English A 3 3 2
Denmark Stundentereksamen 7 7 7
Finland Ylioppilastutkintotodis 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) 5 (magna cum laude approbatur)
tus
France French Baccalaureat 14 (bien) where the co-efficient 14 (bien) where the co-efficient 14 (bien) where the co-efficient
(General) – to 2020 applied to the subject is greater applied to the subject is greater than applied to the subject is greater
than 1 1 than 1
French Baccalaureat 14 (bien) 14 (bien) 14 (bien)
(General) – from
2021
French Bacclaureate 12/20 12/20 12/20
(OIB)
Germany Abitur - 12 (gut) 12 (gut) 13 (sehr gut)
Leistungskurse (LK)

Abitur - Grundkurse 13 (sehr gut) 13 (sehr gut) 14 (sehr gut)

(GK) (must be taken
as an Abitur exam)
Ghana WAEC / WASSCE
C C B
NECO / iGCSE
6 5 3

Hong Kong A-Level Use of C C B

English
Taken pre-2007 - C Taken pre-2007 – C Taken pre 2007 – B
HKCEE HKDSE – Taken post-2007 –3 Taken post-2007 –3 Taken post-2007 – 4
core English 4 4 5
Language (from
2012)
Iceland Studentsprof 8 when taken as a compulsory 8 when taken as a compulsory 8 when taken as a compulsory
language language language
Country/Qualification Level required
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each
5.5 in each element element element
India Standard XII ISC and 70% 75% 80%
CBSE Boards only
Standard X 61%-70% 71%-80% 71%-80% B1 8.0
ISC and CBSE B2 B1
Boards 7.0 8.0
Ireland Leaving Cert English O4 O4 O3
(Ordinary Level)
Leaving Cert English H4 H4 H3
(Advanced Level)

Italy Diploma di Esame di 80% in English as a second 80% in English as a second language 90% in English as a second language
Stato (formerly language
Diploma di Maturita)
Kenya KCSE / iGCSE (or C C B
equivalent)
Luxembourg Diplome de Fin 45 (bien) 45 (bien) 45 (bien)
d'Etudes Secondaires
UCLES 1119 Syllabus
6C or C 4B or B 1A or A
Malaysia (pre 2021)
CEFR (post 2021) B2 B2 C1
Malta IGCSE or Secondary C / 4 C/4 B/2
Education Certificate
Secondary Education
Certificate
Examinations (SEC)
Netherlands VWO 8 (goed) 8 (goed) 8 (goed)
Nigeria /
West Africa WAEC / WASSCE C C B
NECO / iGCSE 6C 5 3B
Norway Vitnemal 4 4 5
Scotland Advanced Higher or
Higher English C C B
Country/Qualification Level required
IELTS 6.0 with no less than 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each
5.5 in each element element element
Singapore O-Level C C B
Secondary Four C or CAP 2.0 C or CAP 2.0 B or CAP 3.0
English Language
or Language Arts
(for IP students)
South Africa South African 5 or C 5 or C 6 or B
National Senior
Certificate (SANSC
– ‘matric’) IEB or
gov board.
Spain Título de 8/10 in English as a second 8/10 in English as a second 9/10 in English as a second
Bachillerato (or language language language
Curso de
Orientación
Universitaria / COU)
Sweden Slutbetyg fran VG (val godkant) VG (val godkant) VG (val godkant)
Gymnasieskol
a/Komvux
(until 2013)
Högskoleförb VG (val godkant) / B VG (val godkant) / B VG (val godkant) / B
eredande
Examen
English 7
(since 2014)
Switzerland Maturita 5 (gut/bien/bene) 5 (gut/bien/bene) 5 (gut/bien/bene)

Uganda UCE / IGCSE (or 6 5 3

equivalent)

USA US High School

Diploma (English Year 11 Grade C/2.0/70% Year 11 Grade C/2.0/70% Year 11 Grade B/3.0/80%
Grade)

SATr Evidence Based Minimum score of 500 Minimum score of 500 Minimum score of 600
Reading & Writing
ACT English Minimum score of 26 Minimum score of 26 Minimum score of 27
 SAT Subject Test Minimum score of 600 Minimum score of 600 Minimum score of 650
English Literature
AP English Literature Grade 3 or above Grade 3 or above Grade 4 or above
and Composition
AP English Language Grade 3 or above Grade 3 or above Grade 4 or above
and Composition

If a country is not listed here please refer to the guidance at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-

applicants/country-info/index.aspx