English Language Requirements
You need a good level of English to study at Newcastle University.
Overview
English will be the main language you use socially and for study.
If English is not your first language you will need to provide a recognised English language test or qualification.
For 2025 entry onwards, we accept IELTS One Skill Retakes
Undergraduate courses
In most cases you will need an overall score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. You will also need at least IELTS 5.5 or equivalent in each of the four sub-skills:
- writing
- reading
- speaking
- listening
Individual undergraduate course pages list if you need an overall IELTS score or sub-scores higher than this.
Postgraduate courses
English language requirements do vary so you should read the 'entry requirements' section of our postgraduate course pages.
English language courses
If you don't meet our English language requirements extra support is available. You could also complete a course to help improve your English before you start your degree. We provide these at Newcastle University International Study Centre. Please check your course information for full details of the requirements.
Language support
We offer free lessons in English for Academic Purposes throughout the year. You can attend classes, workshops and interactive lectures on a range of topics including:
- Academic reading and writing
- Listening and speaking
- Presentation skills
- Pronunciation and grammar
Tests (visa)
We accept a wide range of English language tests. The tests on this page are the only ones we accept if you need a visa to study with us.
Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores. You will see these on each course page under the 'entry requirements' section.
Our typical IELTS scores are:
- IELTS for UKVI (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5 with at least IELTS 5.5 in each sub-skill
- Individual undergraduate and postgraduate course pages list if you need an overall IELTS score or sub-scores higher than this
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.
For 2025 entry onwards, we accept IELTS One Skill Retakes
Grades we usually accept from other qualifications
Cambridge English Language Assessments
Business English Certificate Higher
Grade B with a minimum sub-skill grade of 'weak'. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Certificate in Advanced English
Score of 176 with a minimum sub-skill score of 160. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Certificate of Proficiency in English
Score of 176 with a minimum sub-skill score of 160. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
ESOL Skills for Life Level 2
Grade of Pass with a minimum of grade of Borderline in speaking and listening. Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
GCSE/AS or A Level
- GCSE in English Language: Grade C
- AS or A Level in English Language and/or Literature: Grade C
You must have also been taught and assessed in English in your pre-university qualifications.
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Grade 5 in English with a minimum of grade 4 in each element. For programmes requiring IELTS at 6.0, Grade 4 overall with maximum 2 elements at Grade 3, rest at Grade 4.
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Indian National Boards: CBSE or CISE
Indian 12th Standard Examination: Score of 75% in English (additional interviewing conditions may also apply).
We would accept the above scores without interview provided one of the following:
- you have taken the examination no more than three years before the start of your course with us
- your undergraduate degree has been taught and assessed in English and you completed your degree studies no more than three years before the start of your course with us
International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature
Standard level: 4
Higher level: 4
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature and Language
Standard level: 5
Higher level: 4
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
International Baccalaureate English Language B:
Standard level: 6
Higher level: 5
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Newcastle University International Study Centre
Newcastle University International Study Centre English for Academic Purposes Assessment: Score of 65 with a minimum sub-score of 55%
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Newcastle University International Study Centre Pre-Sessional English Programme: Score of 65 with a minimum sub-score of 55%
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
INTO UK Centres other than Newcastle
INTO English for Academic Purposes Assessment: Score of 65 with a minimum sub-score of 55%
Conditions
For entry to undergraduate degree programmes only.
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Decision made on a case by case basis, based on an admissions tutor’s knowledge and experience of the INTO course being taken.
Pearson
Pearson: PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI
- IELTS 5.5: 59**
- IELTS 6.0: 65
- IELTS 6.5: 70
- IELTS 7.0: 76
** Please note this is the UKVI minimum requirement. If in error you have received an offer with a requirement lower than this, please contact us to review your options at ug-admissions@ncl.ac.uk or pgadmissions@ncl.ac.uk with the subject Pearson Language
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) Special Home Edition
TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition: score of 90 with a minimum of
- reading: 18
- writing: 17
- listening: 17
- speaking: 20
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us, and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ITP Plus for China)
TOEFL ITP Plus for China
Score of 610 with the following scores in the sub-skills:
- reading: 56
- writing: 53
- listening: 54
- speaking: 14
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us, and must be verifiable on the relevant official website.
West African Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO)
If you have an undergraduate degree that was taught and assessed in English more than 3 years prior to studying with us, we can accept a WAEC with the following grades:
C5 in English for courses that require IELTS 6.5. (For courses requiring: IELTS at 6.0, C6; IELTS at 7.0, C4; IELTS at 7.5, B2).
We will ask you to provide a scratch card number so that your WAEC/NECO SSCE English qualification can be verified online.
Tests (no visa)
We also accept the following tests if you do not need a visa to study with us.
The below tests and qualifications are acceptable for admission to the majority of Newcastle University’s degree programmes for applicants who do not need a student visa. If a student visa is required, an English Language Interview will be required if the test does not contain all four sub skills.
Denmark
Denmark
-
Studentereksamen (Upper Secondary School Leaving Examination): Grade 10 in English.
-
Hojere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) (Higer Preparatory Examination): Grade 10 in English.
-
Hojere Handelseksamen (HHX): Grade 10 in English.
Valid only if you have taken the test within three years of the start of your course with us.
Exemptions
For most programmes you do not need to prove your English ability if you meet one of the criteria below.
Within the last three years, you have:
- been awarded a Master's qualification following 12 months of a Master's degree-level study, in one of the countries below. Applicants who have studied in Canada must also provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the degree was taught and assessed in the medium of English language. Applicants who require a student visa must have been awarded an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Master's degree in one of the countries listed below.
- been awarded a degree or degree level qualification which meets, or exceeds, the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s degree, Master's degree or doctorate (as recognised by NARIC) and can provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the degree was taught and assessed in the medium of English language.
or you are a national from one of the countries below:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- British Overseas Territories
- *Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
- United Kingdom
*Non Canadian nationals who have studied in Canada must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the degree was taught and assessed in the medium of English language.