If English is not your first language you will need to evidence your English language ability required for academic study.
You should include your test results with your application and if you are made an offer, we will let you know if it is acceptable or if you will need to complete one of the tests below.
English requirements
Acceptable English language qualifications are normally one of the following:
Undergraduate, foundation and Study Abroad IELTS requirements
All our undergraduate and foundation degree programmes require 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section, apart from the following courses:
- Nutrition BSc: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section
- Physiotherapy BSc: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section
We also accept some European and international school leaver qualifications which are listed on our individual country webpages.
Postgraduate IELTS requirements
All of our postgraduate degrees require 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section, apart from the following courses:
- Physiotherapy MSc: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any section
- Sports Journalism MA: 7.0 overall with no less than 7.5 in writing
Launch IELTS website
Please note: your IELTS test must not be more than two years old by 1st September in the year you intend to start your programme.
We are now accepting IELTS One Skill Retake to meet English Language requirements.
- Please use the IELTS Test Taker Portal to book.
- You must have completed a full IELTS test on computer and received your results from a test centre that offers IELTS One Skill Retake to be eligible
- You can only retake one skill once per original test, and you must sit the One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test.
Undergraduate, foundation and Study Abroad IELTS requirements
All our undergraduate and foundation degree programmes require 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section, apart from the following courses:
- Nutrition BSc: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section
- Physiotherapy BSc: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section
We also accept some European and international school leaver qualifications which are listed on our individual country webpages.
Postgraduate IELTS requirements
All of our postgraduate degrees require 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section, apart from the following courses:
- Physiotherapy MSc: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any section
- Sports Journalism MA: 7.0 overall with no less than 7.5 in writing
Launch IELTS website
Please note: your IELTS test must not be more than two years old by 1st September in the year you intend to start your programme.
- Undergraduate: 55 overall with no less than 42 in any component (except nutrition courses which require 58 overall with no less than 50 in each component).
- Postgraduate: 60 overall with no less than 51 in each section.
Launch Pearson Test of English website
Please note: your Pearson Test of English test must not be more than two years old by 1st September in the year you intend to start your programme.
"Unfortunately we do not accept Pearsons Academic Online.
We are now accepting Password Skills PLUS to meet English Language requirements.
Undergraduate, foundation and Study Abroad requirements
All our undergraduate and foundation degree programmes require 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section, apart from the following courses:
- Nutrition BSc: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section
- Physiotherapy BSc: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section
We also accept some European and international school leaver qualifications which are listed on our individual country webpages.
Postgraduate requirements
All of our postgraduate degrees require 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section, apart from the following courses:
- Physiotherapy MSc: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any section
- Sports Journalism MA: 7.0 overall with no less than 7.5 in writing
Launch Password website
Please note: your Password PLUS test must not be more than two years old by 1st September in the year you intend to start your programme.
If you are applying for a foundation degree programme at St Mary’s University, you must provide a Home Office approved, Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Your language test scores must meet UKVI’s requirements, this includes minimum component scores in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Please note: your test must not be more than two years old by 1st September in the year you intend to start your programme.
Please see the government website for the full list of approved SELT’s and see examples:
- Pearson: 'PTE Academic UKVI’
- IELTS SELT Consortium: ‘IELTS for UKVI’
- LanguageCert: ‘LanguageCert Academic. International ESOL’
We also accept certain grades for the following qualifications:
- GCSE English Language
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English
- ISE Level II with pass in all four components
- Cambridge International Examinations O-Level English Language
- GCE A-Level English
- USA High School Graduation Diploma
- Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole
- iBT TOEFL (including Special Home Edition test) as long as it is no more than two years old:
- Undergraduate course 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Postgraduate course 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 21 in speaking and 20 in writing.
- LanguageCert Academic International ESOL
- Undergraduate course: 65 overall with no lower than 60 in any band
- Postgraduate course: 70 overall with no lower than 65 in any band
- Oxford Test of English
- Undergraduate: 126 Overall, minimum 111 in each component
- Postgraduate: 140 Overall, minimum 120 in each subtest
- Oxford ELLT Global only
- Undergraduate: Overall 6, minimum 6
- Postgraduate: Overall 7, minimum 6
Other qualifications may be considered. Please contact international.enquiries@stmarys.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)20 7096 5787 for more information.
English requirements for Visa holders
If you require a student visa to study at St Mary’s, your language test scores must meet UKVI’s requirements. This includes minimum component scores in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Even if your school or university studies were completed in English, you may still have to complete a UKVI approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). The SELT must also be taken at an approved test centre. For more information, see the citizenship page on gov.uk.
If you would like assistance in determining whether your English test meets both our academic and UKVI requirements, please email studentvisas@stmarys.ac.uk.
Majority English speaking countries
If you are a national of one of the countries listed below you will not need to complete a Secure English Language Test for UK Border Agency purposes, but please check programme pages for specific academic entry requirements.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
Majority English speaking countries for academic qualifications
If you have completed an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree which was taught in one of the following countries, you will not need to complete a Secure English Language Test for UK Border Agency purposes, but please check programme pages for specific academic entry requirements.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States of America