The University of Sheffield
Prospective Postgraduates

English language requirements

If you want to study at the University of Sheffield, you must be able show that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course.

If you have successfully completed a first degree or postgraduate diploma taught in English in a majority native English speaking country, you will not normally need to provide other evidence of English language ability. Otherwise, in most cases you will need to complete an acceptable English language qualification.

For UK students we normally ask for a minimum of a grade C in GCSE English Language. We also accept a range of alternative UK qualifications.

International students

For EU and International students, we accept qualifications from several countries, as well as Secure English Language Tests (SELTs), such as IELTS and TOEFL. Please note that if you are taking a pre-sessional course at another institution, we will normally still ask you to demonstrate your English language proficiency by completing one of the qualifications listed below.

If you are intending to include a SELT qualification as part of your application, this should have been completed within two years of the start date of your course at Sheffield. If you are presenting a non-SELT qualification which was completed more than five years before the start date of your course at Sheffield, we may ask you to provide evidence of ongoing use of English.

If you are a national of a majority native English speaking country, we will not ask you to complete a specific English language qualification. However we would normally expect to see evidence of achievement in English, for example through your school leaving qualification.

Details of all the English language qualifications, and minimum scores, that we accept for postgraduate study are provided below. If your qualification is not included, or if you require further information, please contact the Admissions Service. For details of English language teaching at the University of Sheffield, please visit the English Language Teaching Centre website.

Acceptable English language qualifications

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

Qualification Level
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Please note that we only accept the Academic Version of the IELTS test. Average of 6.5 or above with at least 5.5 in each component
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Please note that the internet-based test (IBT) is the only TOEFL qualification that we accept. 88 or above, with at least 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
University of Sheffield English Proficiency Test (USEPT) (graded as a percentage equivalent to IELTS point score, eg 65% = IELTS 6.5) Average of 65% or above with at least 55% in each component
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 61 or above, with at least 51 in each component

Please note that the minimum scores listed above are the minimum scores that the University accepts. Many of our courses ask for a higher level of achievement in SELT qualifications. You can find the IELTS requirements for individual taught courses in the taught course listings, and for postgraduate research on our research webpages. The equivalences between IELTS and other SELT qualifications are set out in the second table on the ELTC's Comparison of English language test scores webpage.

Other international tests of English

Qualification Level
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Grade 4 or above
European Baccalaureate (EB) English 6.5 or above
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) 60%/Grade C or above
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Grade C or above
London Examinations Certificate of Attainment Level 4 or above
NCUK International Foundation Year: English for Academic Purposes Module Grade C or above
NEAB University Entrance Test in English Pass
Oxford Higher Level Certificate Pass, Credit or Distinction

UK qualifications

Qualification Level
GCSE English Language Grade C or above
GCE O Level English Language Grade C or above
A Level or AS Level in an essay-based subject taught in English Grade C or above
IGCSE or International O Level in English (as a first language) Grade C or above
IGCSE English Language (as a second language) Grade B or above
Scottish Certificate of Education, Standard Grade English Grade 2 or above
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher Grade English Grade C or above
Irish Leaving Certificate English Grade C or above

EU qualifications

Qualification Level
French Baccalauréat l'Option Internationale, English Grade 11 or above
German Abitur, English Grade 11 or above
Netherlands VWO, English Grade 7 or above
Norwegian Vitnemål, English Grade 4 or above
Swedish Fullstandigt fran Gymnasieskolan, English Grade VG or above

International qualifications

Qualification Level
Botswana BGCSE, English   Grade C or above
Brunei-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level in English language Grade B or above
Cameroon GCE O Level, English Grade C or above
Caribbean Examination Council General Proficiency, English Grade I or II
Hong Kong A Level Use of English Grade C or above
Indian Standard XII, English Language 70% or above
Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), English Grade B or above
Malaysian 1119 syllabus (UCLES) Grade C or above
Singapore GCE O Level, English Grade C or above
National Examinations Council of Tanzania – Certificate of Secondary Education Examination, English Grade C or above
Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), English Grade 6 or above
West African Examinations Council School Certificate (WAEC SSCE), English Grade 6/C or above (please note that in the West African Examinations Council School Certificate a lower grade indicates higher achievement – ie 5 is better than 6)
Zambian Secondary School Certificate, English Grade 6/C or above

Qualifications not accepted

Please note that we are unable to accept some qualifications as meeting the English language entry requirements. Qualifications we are unable to accept include the following: