Alternative qualifications
International
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).
Applicants for Distance Learning programmes must meet the direct entry requirements, as In-sessional English is not available for Distance Learning students.
**Covid-19 update for 2023 intake**
We realise many English test centres are still closed and exams have been cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. We therefore will accept the following online English language tests for September 2023 entry (2-year validity from 1st September 2021):
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Advanced Placement (AP) English | 4 or 5 - In-sessional: 3 |
| A-Level | 2 good grades (A-C) in Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences |
| UK: Access* | In-sessional: 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) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Bellerbys College Academic English Skills (AES) test* | 70 overall with 60 in subscores In-sessional: 60 overall with 60 in writing and 50 in other subscores |
| Cambridge (C1) Advanced English Exam (CAE)* | A or 185 overall with 176 in subscores In-sessional: B or C or 180 with 170 in subscores |
| Cambridge (C2) Proficiency English Exam (CPE) (open validity) | A or 185 overall with 176 in subscores In-sessional: B or C or 180 with 170 in subscores |
| Cameroon O Level** English | A In-sessional: B or 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) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Denmark Studentereksamen | 10 In-sessional: 9 |
| EF Undergraduate Foundation Programme English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| EU Baccalaureate (English Language) | 6 at Level 1, 7 at Level 2, or 7.5 at Level 3 |
| Estonia Matura | 5 In-sessional: 4 |
| Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen matriculation exam | 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) in English at the Advanced Level In-sessional: 4 |
| French Baccalaureate OIB Bilingual English programme | 12 In-sessional: 11 |
| French Baccalaureate General in English (LEV 1) | 16 In-sessional: 15 |
| GCSE, IGCSE, O Level** English (includes Malaysia, Singapore and Zimbabwe syndicated GCSEs) | 5 or B In-sessional: 4 or C |
| German Abitur English (main course) | 12 In-sessional: 10-11 |
| Holland/The Netherlands VWO | 8-10 In-sessional: 7 |
| HKALE | A or B In-sessional: C |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) | 5** or 5* In-sessional: 5 |
| IB Standard English Language and Literature A or Language B | 5 In-sessional: 4 |
| IB Higher English Language and Literature A or Language B | 4 |
| IB Diploma | 4+ in two subjects (Arts & Humanities or Social Sciences) |
| IELTS Indicator* | 6.5 overall with 6.5 in subscores (Unconditional); 6.5 overall with 6.0 in subscores and 6.5 in writing (with In-sessional); 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) |
| Iceland Studentsprof matriculation examination, English | 8 (when taken as a compulsory modern language) |
| IFP Academic English module* | 70% In-sessional: 65% |
| Indian School Certificate (Standard XII) | 80% In-sessional: 70% |
| INTO English for Academic Purposes (EAP)*, English for Undergraduate Studies (EUS)* or IELA* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) or 180 (IELA) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills or 175 (IELA) |
| Kaplan Foundation English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Kenya Secondary Education Certificate - English language | A In-sessional: B or C |
| Latvia Matura | 5 In-sessional: 4 |
| Luxembourgish High School | 45 |
| Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) English 1119 | Grades 1-3 In-sessional: 4-6 |
| Malta Secondary Education Certificate - English language | 1 or 2 In-sessional: 3 or 4 |
| NCUK Foundation* | B in English for Academic Purposes |
| Norwegian Vitnemal English | 5 In-sessional: 4 |
| NVQ, SVQ | 5 In-sessional: 4 |
| OnCampus Test of English* | 70% with 65% in subskills In-sessional: 65% with 65% in writing and 60% in other subskills |
| Poland Matura | In-sessional: 80% |
| Pre-sessional English from a UK university* | Pass |
| Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English** | A In-sessional: B or C |
| Singapore Integrated Programme: Language Arts | A1 or A2 In-sessional: B3 |
| Skills for English* (UKVI SELT) | Expert 4SC1: pass In-sessional: 4SB2+, B2 Pass with Merit; 4 week Pre-sessional: 4SB2, Upper Intermediate pass |
| South African National Senior School Cert English (Home Language) | 6 In-sessional: 5 |
| Study Group ISC* | 65 (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Swedish Fullstandigt fran Gymnasieskolan, English | A In-sessional: B |
| Switzerland Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita | 5 (gut/bien/bene) In-sessional: 4 |
| Trinity ISE II/ISE III* | Pass with Distinction In-sessional: Pass with Merit |
| Trinity ISE IV* | Pass |
| TOEFL PBT* | 620 with 5 in TWE and 60 in subscores |
| Turkey BUEPT (Turkish Universities) | A or B In-sessional: C |
| University of London International Foundation Programme (IFP)* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| US High School Diploma | Pass |
| Warwick Undergraduate Foundation Programme* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| West African High School Certificate (WAEC) | A1 In-sessional: B2, B3, C4 |
| Zambia: High School Leaving Certificate English | 1 or 2 In-sessional: 3 or 4 |
| Zimbabwe High School Leaving Certificate | 1 or 2 In-sessional: 3 or 4 |
| Zimbabwe O Level English language** |
A |
*2-year validity from 1st September 2021
**O Levels equivalent 7-year validity from July 2016
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.