Alternative English language qualifications
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Overview
Overview
In addition to the requirements listed on our main English language requirements page, we also accept a range of alternative qualifications to demonstrate your level of English language proficiency.
All qualifications listed below have a 5-year validity unless marked with a * (indicating 2-year validity) or ** (indicating 7-year validity). The following apply to entry for online learning, undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
The information provided on this page is a basic guide to our English admissions and SOAS reserves the right to apply the criteria at its own discretion in all cases.
Accepted qualifications
We accept the following online English language tests for September 2026 entry (2-year validity from 1 September 2024):
- Duolingo
- Kaplan Test of English
- LanguageCert Academic
- IELTS Online
- Password Skills Plus
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Please note that we are not currently accepting Pearson Academic Online tests, but we do accept Pearson Academic tests from test centres.
| Test | |
|---|---|
| Advanced Placement (AP) English | 3 |
| A-Level in Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences | 2 grades A-C |
| A-level English Language or English literature | C |
| AS-level English Language or English literature | C |
| UK: Access* | Pass with at least 15 credits at distinction |
| Austrian Matura/Reifeprufung | 2 (gut) in English with both written and oral exams |
| Bell Undergraduate Foundation Programme English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) |
| Cambridge (C1) Advanced English Exam (CAE)* | B or C or 180 with 170 in subscores |
| Cambridge (C2) Proficiency English Exam (CPE) (open validity) | B or C or 180 with 170 in subscores |
| Cameroon O Level** English | C |
| CATS Undergraduate Foundation Programme English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| David Game College English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) |
| Denmark Studentereksamen | 9 |
| EF Undergraduate Foundation Programme English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) |
| EU Baccalaureate (English Language) | 6 at Level 1, 7 at Level 2, or 7.5 at Level 3 |
| Estonia Matura | 4 |
| Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen matriculation exam | 4 Advanced level |
| French Baccalaureate Francaise Internationale (BFI) | 11 |
| French Baccalaureate General in English | 13 |
| GCSE, IGCSE, O Level** English Language or English Literature (includes Malaysia, Singapore and Zimbabwe syndicated GCSEs). Please note we do not accept English as a 2nd language O level or GCSE. | 5 or C |
| German Abitur English (main course) | 10 |
| Holland/The Netherlands VWO | 7 |
| HKALE | C |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) | 4 |
| IB Standard English Language and Literature A | 4 |
| IB Higher English Language and Literature A | 4 |
| IB Standard English Language B | 6 |
| IB Higher English Language B | 5 |
| IB Diploma | 4+ in two subjects (Arts & Humanities or Social Sciences) |
| IELTS Online* | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in subscores and 6.5 in writing (Direct entry); 6.5 overall with 5.5 in subscores and 6.0 in writing (4 week Pre-sessional); 6.0 overall with 5.5 in subscores (8 week Pre-sessional) |
| IFCELS ICC Foundation Course SOAS* | 55% direct entry, 50% 4 week Pre-sessional |
| Iceland Studentsprof matriculation examination, English | 8 (when taken as a compulsory modern language) |
| IFP Academic English module* | 65% |
| Indian School Certificate (Standard XII) from the following state boards: Andhra Pradesh, CBSE, CISCE, ICSE, ISC, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal | 75% |
| INTO Joint Ventures Centres | 65% overall and 60% in all subskills |
| INTO Qualifications Centres (IQ) | 60% overall and 50% in all subskills |
| Kaplan Foundation English* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Kenya Secondary Education Certificate - English language | C |
| Latvia English Certificate of General Secondary Education | 80% |
| Luxembourgish High School | 45 |
| Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) English 1119 | 4 |
| Malta Secondary Education Certificate - English language | 3 |
| NCUK Foundation EAP* | B overall with C in subskills |
| Norwegian Vitnemal English | 4 |
| NVQ, SVQ (social sciences or humanities) | 4 |
| OnCampus Test of English* | 65% overall with 60% in subskills |
| Poland Matura | 70% |
| Pre-sessional English from a UK university* | Pass |
| SATs US High School Reading and Writing (all areas)* | 592 |
| Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English** | C |
| Singapore Integrated Programme: Language Arts | B3 |
| South African National Senior School Cert English (Home Language) | 5 |
| Study Group ISC* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Swedish Fullstandigt fran Gymnasieskolan, English | B or equivalent |
| Switzerland Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita | 4 |
| Trinity ISE II/ISE III* | Pass with Merit |
| Trinity ISE IV* | Pass |
| TOEFL PBT* | 620 with 5 in TWE and 60 in subscores |
| Turkey BUEPT (Turkish Universities) | C |
| University of London International Foundation Programme (IFP)* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| US High School Diploma (MESC countries) | Pass |
| Warwick Undergraduate Foundation Programme* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| West African High School Certificate (WAEC) | C5 |
| Zambia: High School Leaving Certificate English | 3 |
| Zimbabwe High School Leaving Certificate | 3 |
| Zimbabwe O Level English language** | C |