English language requirements
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English, so as an applicant you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. We accept a range of qualifications and we also offer several English language courses which help you gain entry onto our degrees. Read more below.
Equivalent qualifications
English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
As a general guide:
For undergraduate courses we require IELTS ACADEMIC 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent. Please check the course page to confirm your required IELTS grade.
For postgraduate taught courses, we require IELTS ACADEMIC 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent. Please check the course page to confirm your required IELTS grade.
For postgraduate research courses, we require IELTS ACADEMIC 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component). For postgraduate research courses that are based in Salford Business School we require IELTS ACADEMIC 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)
Please check the tab below for a list of approved equivalent English language qualifications.
Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).
Secure English language tests
Applicants with the following SELT (Secure English Language Test) qualifications are deemed to be approved for entry to our courses, depending on the level of entry measured through IELTS.
Common European Framework
|
UKVI IELTS Academic |
Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English
|
LanguageCert Academic SELT |
Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic UKVI) (note: we cannot accept online versions of the Pearson Test of English) | PSI Service (UK) Ltd: Skills for English UKVI B2 (4 component) |
B1 + 0.5 (International Foundation Year) |
4.5 with no less than 4.0 in any given skill |
ISE I Merit with no less than a pass in any given skill | 47 overall with no less than 40 in any given skill | 48 with no less than 43 in any given skill | |
B2 + 0.5 (UG/PGT) |
6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any given skiIl |
ISE II Merit with no less than a pass in any given skill
|
65 overall with no less than 60 in any given skill | 59 overall with no less than 59 in any given skill | Listening: Pass; Reading: Pass; Writing: Pass; Speaking: Pass |
B2 + 1.0 (PGT High) |
6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any given skill | ISE II Distinction with no less than a pass in any given skill | 70 overall with no less than 60 in any given skill | 70 with no less than 59 in any given skill |
Note: By UKVI regulations, SELTs are deemed to prove knowledge of English and applicants will not require a further test for Student Route sponsorship. This list is managed by the UK Government Home Office (UKVI) and may be subject to change.
University of Salford English language courses
- University of Salford International Foundation Year (IFY) - this course prepares non-native speakers of English who want to study for an undergraduate degree at a university in the UK.
This course is for you if you have finished high school in your own country but don't yet have the qualifications to go straight onto a UK university programme.
When you pass the IFY at the required standard you will then be able to progress onto over 80 undergraduate degree courses at the University of Salford.
- Pre-sessional English - This is a full-time English language course for international students with a UKVI IELTS level of 4.0 or above and a general level of education which is adequate for entry into Higher Education. This course is designed to improve your four skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking and has a specific focus on improving English for academic purposes.
Regional based qualifications
These qualifications are deemed to be equivalent to English GCSE grade C/grade 4 or above and are suitable for entry onto all of our courses at degree level or above.
We accept the following qualifications as proof of English for Student Route visa sponsorship purposes, therefore applicants will not require an additional SELT.
Worldwide
- GCSE English (all UK boards): Grade C.
- iGCSE English: Grade C.
- O Level English (all UK boards): Grade C.
- A Level English (all UK boards): Grade E.
- AS Level English (all UK boards): Grade D.
- European Baccalaureate: 80% or 6 in English
- International Baccalaureate: Higher level English 4/5/5; Standard level English 5/6/6
- TOEFL and TOEFL IBT: 79 overall including minimum listening - 17; reading - 18; writing - 17; speaking - 20. Please note we do not accept TOEFL Home Edition.
- NCUK – all programmes: EAP C, no components below D.
- NCUK English Language test (online) - 6.0 = IELTS 6.0 / 6.5 = IELTS 6.5
- INTO Foundation: EAP C, no components below D.
- Kaplan International College - Foundation Year / Pre-Masters: 60% in English with all components 55% or above.
- University of Michigan - Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE): ECCE test takers will receive a scaled numeric score for all four sections. Test takers who achieve an average score of 650 or higher will be awarded a certificate. Additionally, ECCE test takers who achieve a score of 840 or higher in all four sections will be awarded a Certificate of Competency with Honours.
Anguilla
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Antigua and Barbuda
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language
Australia
Secondary School (Year 12 equivalent): Grade C in English
Austria
Reifeprufung/Matura: English subject – Mark of 2 or gut.
(The) Bahamas
Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE): Grade C in English
Barbados
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade C in English
Belize
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade C in English
Bermuda
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Botswana
Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education: Grade C/4 in English
British Antarctic Territory
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
British Indian Ocean Territory
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
British Virgin Islands
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Brunei Darussalam
Cambridge O-Level English Language: Grade C6 or above.
Bulgaria
Diploma of Completed Secondary Education: English subject – pass (grade 3 or above).
Cameroon
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level - Anglophone System Only: Grade C in English
Canada
General Education Development Test (GED) - not including Quebec and New Brunswick: English Language to be completed and passed at Grade 12 level.
Cayman Islands
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
China
Sino-British College International Diploma: Pass including minimum EAP D.
Cyprus
Apolyterion: 15 or above in English.
Dominica
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language
Falklands Islands
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Finland
National Matriculation Exam Ylioppiastukintotodistus / Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5.
France
International Option of the French Baccalaureate (OIB): MUST be the English Language Stream - Pass in the OIB.
Germany
Abitur: 10 or above in English Language.
Ghana
WAEC/WASSCE English Language: Grade C6 or above.
Gibraltar
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Greece
Apolytirion – English subject: 15 or above.
Grenada
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language
Guyana
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language
Hong Kong
HKALE Use of English: grade D or above.
HKCEE (Syllabus B): grade C or above.
HKDSE: grade 4 or above.
India
For IELTS 6.5 - Standard XII: 70% English (only when awarded from CBSE, CISCE, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana).
For IELTS 6.0 - Standard XII: 65% English (only when awarded from CBSE, CISCE, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana).
Jamaica
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language
Kenya
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English as a First Language: Grade C or above.
Malaysia
SPM 1119 English (Bahasa Inggeris): Grade C or above on the UCLES O level grade (or grade 6C or above if taken between 2000-2009).
Malaysian University Entrance Test (MUET) - if you need IELTS 6.0 or IELTS 6.5, your MUET score should be grade 4 with no less than grade 3 in each band
Mauritius
Cambridge High School Certificate (includes O Level/iGCSE English: Grade C or above.
Montserrat
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
New Zealand
Higher School Certificate: English Language grade C (50-64)
Norway
Vitnemal: Four or above in English Language.
Nigeria
WAEC/WASSCE/NECO English Language: Grade C6 or above.
Pitcairn Islands
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Poland
Matura: 70% or above in English Language.
Republic of Ireland
Leaving Certificate: English Language Grade C (55-69%)
Singapore
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O level: Grade C6 or above
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan O Level English: Credit or above.
St Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year secondary education qualification in English. Grade III in English Language.
St Kitts & Nevis
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language.
St Lucia
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language.
South Africa
Senior Certificate: Grade C (60-69%) in English
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Tanzania
Certificate of Secondary Education (Also known as Certificate of Secondary Education Examination or CSEE): Grade C or above.
Trinidad & Tobago
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Grade III in English Language,
Turks & Caicos
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent 12 year Secondary Education Qualification in English: Grade III in English Language.
Uganda
Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE): Grade 1-6.
UK
UK bachelor’s degree/UK master’s degree: Successful completion of full award (CertHe, DipHE, PGCert, PGDip - not accepted)
USA
General Education Development Test (GED): English Language grade C
High School Graduation Diploma: (70-79) GPA 2.0
West Africa
WAEC/WASSCE English Language: Grade C6 or above.
Zambia
School Certificate/ General Certificate of Education: Grade 5-6/Credit in English
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level: Grade C in English
Majority English speaking countries
Applicants with degrees from these countries (must be equivalent to a UK degree) are deemed to be equivalent to English GCSE grade C/grade 4 or above and are suitable for entry into all of our programmes.
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Malta
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
UK
USA
Note: By UKVI regulations, nationals of the above countries, as well as Canada, do not need to prove knowledge of English, and applicants will not require a further test for Student Route visa sponsorship. This list is managed by the UK Home Office (UKVI) and may be subject to change.
Medium of English institutions
Students who have completed applicable courses at the following institutions are deemed to be equivalent to English GCSE grade C/grade 4 or above and are suitable for entry onto all of our programmes at degree level or above, provided the course has been completed in the past two years.
We accept the following qualifications for proof of English for Student Route visa sponsorship purposes and applicants will not require an additional SELT.
France
ESIEA - Must be applying for programme as part of the Partner Agreement with ESIEA AND have achieved a minimum of grade 12 (non-Student Route applicants) or grade 14 (Student Route applicants) in English Language in the French Baccalaureate
IPSA - Must be applying for programme as part of the Partner Agreement with IPSA AND have achieved a minimum of grade 12 (non-Student Route applicants) or grade 14 (Student Route applicants) in English Language in the French Baccalaureate
Hong Kong
LiPACE Open University Hong Kong (OUHK): Successful completion of Higher Diploma course
Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) Australia - CMA Hong Kong Branch: Must be applying for the level 7 programme as part of the Partner Agreement with CMA.
India
Indian Institute or Technology: Successful completion of course
Indian Institute of Management (various campuses): Successful completion of course
University of Delhi: Successful completion of course
University of Mumbai: Successful completion of course
University of Calcutta (Kolkatta): Successful completion of course
Malaysia
Taylors University College: Successful completion of course
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UiTM): Successful completion of course
Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC): Successful completion of course
INTI University College Malaysia: Successful completion of course
Laila Taib College (LTB): Successful completion of course
Additional qualifications for non-Student Route visa students
These qualifications are deemed to be equivalent to English GCSE grade C/grade 4 or above and are suitable for entry onto our courses at selected partners only. (These qualifications are not approved for Student Route sponsorship purposes. For students who require a Student Route visa for studies, you will need to submit an additional approved qualification).
UK University degrees:
A University of Salford awarded degree, delivered overseas or online.
A UK university awarded degree (where the UK university governs quality assurance) delivered overseas or online.
Hong Kong degrees:
Bachelor degree (Honours) taught at an institution in Hong Kong – applicant to provide a letter from the institution confirming the medium of instruction and medium of assessment was in English
Sentral College Penang (formerly Sentral Technology College Penang), Malaysia:
Diploma in Accounting, Business Studies;
Diploma in Computer Systems Technology;
Diploma in Information Technology in collaboration with NIIT;
Diploma in Tourism Management.
Applicants who have undertaken studies at other institutions in Malaysia will be required to either meet the general entry requirements for English Language or will be required to provide a letter from their College stating that the programme had been delivered and assessed in English. This will demonstrate equivalency to English Language requirements.
Pentecost University College, Ghana:
Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business - ACCA;
Level 6 International Advanced Diploma - Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
IPSA English Language Assessments
For IELTS 6.0 you must achieve IPSA English language assessment 11/20 with no less than 9/20 in each band
Digital Marketing Institute, Ireland:
Postgraduate Diploma in Digital marketing