Alternative qualifications

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.

Online testing

We accept the following online English language tests for September 2024 entry (2-year validity from 1 September 2022):

Please note that we are not currently accepting Pearson Academic Online tests.

TestRequirement
Advanced Placement (AP) English3
A-Level in Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences2 grades A-C 
A-level English Language or English literatureC
AS-level English Language or English literatureC
UK: Access*Distinction
Austrian Matura/Reifeprufung2 (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** EnglishC
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 Studentereksamen9
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 Matura4
Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen matriculation exam4 Advanced level
French Baccalaureate OIB Bilingual English programme11
French Baccalaureate General in English15
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 VWO7
HKALEC
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)4
IB Standard English Language and Literature A or Language B4
IB Higher English Language and Literature A or Language B4
IB Diploma4+ 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 ELAS Course*55% direct entry, 50% 4 week Pre-sessional
IFCELS FDPS Pre-Masters Course SOAS*55% direct entry, 50% 4 week Pre-sessional
IFCELS ICC Foundation Course SOAS*55% direct entry, 50% 4 week Pre-sessional
Iceland Studentsprof matriculation examination, English8 (when taken as a compulsory modern language)
IFP Academic English module*65%
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)70%
INTO English for Academic Purposes (EAP)*, English for Undergraduate Studies (EUS)* or IELA*65% and 60% in all subskills or 175 (IELA)
Kaplan Foundation English*65% and 60% in all subskills
Kenya Secondary Education Certificate - English languageC
Latvia English Certificate of General Secondary Education80%
Luxembourgish High School45
Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) English 11194
Malta Secondary Education Certificate - English language
NCUK Foundation*B in English for Academic Purposes
Norwegian Vitnemal English4
NVQ, SVQ (social sciences or humanities)4
OnCampus Test of English*65% overall with 60% in subskills
Poland Matura70%
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 ArtsB3
South African National Senior School Cert English (Home Language)5
Study Group ISC*65% and 60% in all subskills
Swedish Fullstandigt fran Gymnasieskolan, EnglishB or equivalent
Switzerland Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita4
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
Zimbabwe High School Leaving Certificate
Zimbabwe O Level English language**C

*2-year validity from 1st September 2022
**O Levels equivalent 7-year validity from July 2017

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.