English language requirements

Our courses are taught and assessed in English. The UK Home Office and the university will need you to meet their English language requirements for your chosen course.

Changes to our requirements for 2021

COVID-19 is disrupting exams and English language testing across the world. For 2021 entry, we have expanded the number of qualifications we are able to accept. If you have, or are sitting, one of the qualifications listed here then you do not need to take an IELTS test, even if we asked you to do so in your offer. Please let us know and send a copy of your results.

English language, English literature, or English language and literature A-levels at grade D or above, if taken within three years of the start of the course.
UK international colleges language tests, subject to being awarded from an accredited institution and at the CEFR B2 minimum levels required.
Combined IELTS scores and TOEFL iBT MyBest scores provided all tests meet the two-year validity period.
Foundation/pre-sessional and pre-masters courses from other UK universities so long as they were achieved in the 2020–21 academic year.
A bachelors or masters degree from an accredited university in the UK or a Home Office majority English-speaking country that meets our validity policy.
TOEFL iBT At Home test – check the TOEFL website for more information about which countries are operating this test and the test eligibility.
IELTS Indicator home-based test – check the IELTS Indicator website for more information about which countries are operating this test and the test eligibility.

If you need additional English language training our pre-sessional courses will be delivered online this year.

Additionally, we will soon be confirming details of our online test for students who need English language assessment but not training.

All qualifications are subject to our normal admissions checks and the above is only a summary and not a guarantee that your qualification will definitely be accepted. Contact the enquiries and admissions team for more support and guidance.

We will continue to accept the standard English language qualifications detailed below. Providers are working hard to find alternative ways for students to sit the tests. Check directly with them for updates on these options.

Meeting the university's English language requirements

You can meet our English language proficiency requirements if:

we are satisfied that your previous academic record clearly demonstrates your ability to study and be examined in the English language, or
you provide us with certificated proof of your competence in English by having recently passed an English language qualification.

The tables show the English language qualifications we accept. However, please check individual course descriptions for the English language entry requirements for that course.

Undergraduate: standard requirement for taught undergraduate courses
Level	Qualification	Result
Higher intermediate to lower advanced	IELTS/IELTS Indicator	6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in each component)
Higher intermediate to lower advanced	Cambridge	B2 First (FCE) 169 with no less than 162 in each component
Higher intermediate to lower advanced	Cambridge	C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 with no less than 162 in each component
Higher intermediate to lower advanced	Cambridge	C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 with no less than 162 in each component
Higher intermediate to lower advanced	PTE Academic	56 (with no less than 51 in each component)
Higher intermediate to lower advanced	Trinity	ISE II with a Pass with Merit in each component
Higher intermediate to lower advanced	TOEFL iBT	72 overall, 18 in writing, 10 in reading, 10 in listening and 17 in speaking

Postgraduate: standard requirement for taught postgraduate courses
Level	Qualification	Result
Lower advanced to advanced	IELTS/IELTS Indicator	6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component)
Lower advanced to advanced	Cambridge	B2 First (FCE) 176 with no less than 162 in each component
Lower advanced to advanced	Cambridge	C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 with no less than 162 in each component
Lower advanced to advanced	Cambridge	C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 with no less than 162 in each component
Lower advanced to advanced	PTE Academic	61 (with no less than 51 in each component)
Lower advanced to advanced	Trinity	ISE III with a Pass in each component
Lower advanced to advanced	TOEFL iBT	85 overall, 18 in writing, 10 in reading, 10 in listening and 17 in speaking

We accept a number of other qualifications, if you have a question about English qualifications please get in touch.

Meeting the UK Home Office's English language requirements

For some courses the UK Home Office requires prospective students to provide evidence they have met the language requirement through a secure English language test (SELT), with an approved test provider.

For a list of the current SELTs, visit the Home Office website.

We need evidence of this before we can issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which you will need for your visa application.

If you have any questions about the university or the UK Home Office's English language requirements speak to one of our advisers.

What if I do not meet the English requirements?

The University of Brighton Centre for Academic English Language Development offers a range of English courses to prepare you for academic study at UK universities.

If you would like to take an English language course or talk to someone about the English qualifications you need, please contact us.

Learn English at the Centre for Academic English Language Development