English
English language pre-sessional course entry requirements for English programmes
To learn what entry requirements are needed to enrol onto our English language pre-sessional courses please take a look at the tables below.
MA Contemporary Literature and Culture programme
Pre-sessional entry requirements for MA Contemporary Literature and Culture.
| UKVI IELTS SELT Higher Entry 1 | ||
| Overall Score | Minimum score in subtests | Pre-sessional Programme |
| 7 |
6 | Direct entry |
| 5.5 | Programme D (6 weeks) | |
| 5 |
Programme C (11 weeks) |
|
| 6.5 |
6.5 | Direct entry |
| 6 | Direct entry | |
| 5.5 | Programme D (6 weeks) | |
| 5 | Programme C (11 weeks) | |
|
6
|
6 | Programme D (6 weeks) |
| 5.5 | Programme C (11 weeks) | |
| Alternative English Language Tests acceptable for either the online or campus-based Pre-sessional Programmes. | |||
| Test | Type of Test |
Minimum level for |
Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) |
| Pearsons Test of English (PTE) Academic | Centre-based | 61 overall, no sub-test lower than 59 | 61 overall, no sub-test lower than 61 |
| LanguageCert ESOL SELT | Centre-based | LanguageCert SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). | LanguageCert SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). |
|
Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
High Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 39 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
||
| LanguageCert Academic SELT | Centre-based | Overall score of 65 with no sub-test lower than 62 | Overall score of 65 with no sub-test lower than 65 |
| Alternative English Language Tests acceptable only for online Pre-sessional Programmes. | |||
| Test | Type of Test |
Minimum level for |
Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) |
|
TOEFL iBT Tests taken prior to 21 January 2026 |
Centre-based & Online |
80 overall | 80 overall |
| Speaking: 20 | Speaking: 21 | ||
| Writing: 18 | Writing: 21 | ||
| Reading: 18 | Reading: 19 | ||
| Listening: 18 | Listening: 19 | ||
|
TOEFL iBT Tests taken from 21 January 2026 |
Centre-based & Online |
4.0 overall | 4.0 overall |
| Speaking: 4.0 | Speaking: 4.0 | ||
| Writing: 4.0 | Writing: 4.5 | ||
| Reading: 4.0 | Reading: 4.0 | ||
| Listening: 4.0 | Listening: 4.0 | ||
| LanguageCert | Online | LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). | LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). |
|
Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
High Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 39 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
||
| Duolingo English Test | Online |
Overall score 110 with no sub-test lower than the following: Speaking 105 |
Equivalent to IELTS 6.0 (6.0) Overall score 115 with no sub-test lower than the following: Speaking 110 Equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (5.5) Overall score 120 with no sub-test lower than the following: Speaking 105 |
MA Creative Writing and the Writing Industries programme
Pre-sessional entry requirements for MA Creative Writing and the Writing Industries programme.
| UKVI IELTS SELT Higher Entry 2 | ||
| Overall Score | Minimum score in subtests | Pre-sessional Programme |
| 7 |
6 | Direct entry |
| 5.5 | Programme C (11 weeks) | |
| 6.5 |
6.5 | Programme D (6 weeks) |
| 6 | Programme D (6 weeks) | |
| 5.5 | Programme C (11 weeks) | |
|
6
|
6 | Programme C (11 weeks) |
| 5.5 | Programme C (11 weeks) | |
| Alternative English Language Tests acceptable for either the online or campus-based Pre-sessional Programmes. | |||
| Test | Type of Test |
Minimum level for |
Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) |
| Pearsons Test of English (PTE) Academic | Centre-based | 61 overall, no sub-test lower than 59 | 61 overall, no sub-test lower than 61 |
| LanguageCert ESOL SELT | Centre-based | LanguageCert SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). | LanguageCert SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). |
|
Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
High Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 39 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
||
| LanguageCert Academic SELT | Centre-based | Overall score of 65 with no sub-test lower than 62 | Overall score of 65 with no sub-test lower than 65 |
| Alternative English Language Tests acceptable only for online Pre-sessional Programmes. | |||
| Test | Type of Test |
Minimum level for |
Minimum level for Pre-sessional Programme D (6 weeks) |
|
TOEFL iBT Tests taken prior to 21 January 2026 |
Centre-based & Online |
80 overall | 80 overall |
| Speaking: 20 | Speaking: 21 | ||
| Writing: 18 | Writing: 21 | ||
| Reading: 18 | Reading: 19 | ||
| Listening: 18 | Listening: 19 | ||
|
TOEFL iBT Tests taken from 21 January 2026 |
Centre-based & Online |
4.0 overall | 4.0 overall |
| Speaking: 4.0 | Speaking: 4.0 | ||
| Writing: 4.0 | Writing: 4.5 | ||
| Reading: 4.0 | Reading: 4.0 | ||
| Listening: 4.0 | Listening: 4.0 | ||
| LanguageCert | Online | LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). | LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). |
|
Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
High Pass overall (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 39 out of 50 For tests taken in 2025 and onwards: |
||
| Duolingo English Test | Online |
Overall score 110 with no sub-test lower than the following: Speaking 105 |
Equivalent to IELTS 6.0 (6.0) Overall score 115 with no sub-test lower than the following: Speaking 110 Equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (5.5) Overall score 120 with no sub-test lower than the following: Speaking 105 |
If you have a question or you are unsure about anything please get in touch with the Admissions Office.