Standard English language qualifications
The English language requirements vary depending on the course that you are applying for, details about our requirements can be found on the entry requirements tab.
We accept the following tests as evidence of English language ability for the majority of our undergraduate courses:
Recognised Qualification |
Standard Entry Level |
IELTS Academic (UKVI Approved) |
6.5 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each element |
IELTS Academic (Other Centres) including IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) |
6.5 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each element |
IELTS Online |
6.5 overall, minimum of 5.5 in each element |
TOEFL IBT |
87 overall, minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 17 in speaking and 20 in writing |
TOEFL IBT Home Edition |
87 overall, minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 17 in speaking and 20 in writing |
Cambridge English: Advanced CAE |
176 overall with at least 162 in each element |
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) |
176 overall with at least 162 in each element |
CaMLA ECPE |
Grade C2 |
GCSE/IGCSE/O Level English |
Grade C / 4 |
Kaplan Test of English |
478 Main Flight score, minimum of 410 in each of the four skills |
LanguageCert Academic (UKVI) |
70 overall with 60 in each element |
LanguageCert International ESOL (in-person or online) |
B2 Communicator with 39 in each skill area |
LanguageCert International ESOL (SELT) |
B2 Communicator with 39 in each skill area |
Pearson PTE Academic / UKVI (via a test centre only - we do not accept the online version of the test) |
58 overall, minimum of 42 in each of the four skills |
Trinity ISE |
ISE II, Distinction in each element (modules must be taken within one month of each other) |
IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson and LanguageCert certificates are valid for 2 years from the test date and your certificate will need to be valid on the start date of your studies at Lancaster. If you have taken a test multiple times, we cannot combine scores together to meet the requirements.
Courses with different English language requirements
Some of our Science, Mathematics, Medicine and Social Work courses have different English language requirements. The English language requirements for these can be found on the entry requirements tab in the course information.
If you have not taken one of our recognised English language qualifications we may be able to accept an alternative qualification, these are listed below by country.
Botswana |
Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (English) Grades 1-6 inclusive / Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) in English at Grade C or above |
Brunei |
Brunei Cambridge GCE O Level in English at Grade C or above |
France |
French Baccalaureate English at Grade 12 or above |
Hong Kong
|
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) English Language at 4 or above |
Germany |
12 in Abitur English
|
Iceland |
7 or above in level 3 Studentsprof
|
India |
Indian Standard X English at 70% or above |
Kenya |
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in English at Grade C or above |
Malaysia |
Malaysian 1119 syllabus GCE O Level English at Grade C or above |
Malta |
Maltese Secondary Education Certificate English at Grade 5 or above |
Nigeria |
WAEC / WASSCE / NECO in English Grade C6 or above |
Norway |
Vitnemål for videregående opplæring (VVO) with average of Grade 4 or above in English |
Poland |
75% Advanced English or 80% Basic English |
Singapore |
Singapore-Cambridge GCE O Level in English at Grade C6 or above |
General |
International Baccalaureate English Higher Level or Standard Level at 5 |
General |
European Baccalaureate with an average of 7.0 in Year 7 English
|
If you are applying for an Undergraduate course and your country is not listed above, please contact the Admissions Team.
If you require a student visa, we may require further information.
The following countries are those deemed to be a majority English-speaking country:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- the British overseas territories
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
If you are a national of one of the above countries, you are not required to submit evidence of your English language ability.
If you are not a national of one of the above countries but have completed a full degree in one of the above countries, you will not be required to submit further evidence of your English Language if you have:
- Completed and been awarded your degree no more than three years before the intended start of your chosen course.