If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The University’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| International Foundation Business and Technology and International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law | 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills |
| Art and Design Foundation | UKVI-approved SELT 5.0 with 5.0 in all skills |
| International Foundation Art and Design | 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills |
| 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking |
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| All other undergraduate courses | 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking |
| Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking |
| Health and Social Care courses | 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details) |
| Nutrition BSc (Hons) | 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| Pre-Master’s Diploma: English Language and Study Skills | 5.5 with 5.5 in all skills |
| Pre-Master’s Certificate: English Language and Study Skills | 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking |
| Pre-Master’s Certificate: Study Skills | 7.0 (6.5 in all skills) |
| Two-Year Master's Degree | 5.5 with 5.5 in all skills |
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| IELTS 6.5 with 6.5 in reading and writing, and 6.0 listening and speaking |
| Physiotherapy | IELTS 6.5 with 6.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking |
| Social Work | IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 listening and speaking |
| Occupational Therapy | IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking |
| Dietetics | IELTS 7.0 with no component lower than 6.5 |
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in reading and writing, and 5.5 listening and speaking |
| Education (TESOL) | IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking |
| PGCE | IELTS 6.5 with 6.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking |
| Criminology | IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in reading and writing |
| IELTS 7.0 overall including a minimum of 6.0 in all components |
| IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills |
| IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component |
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, and 5.5 listening and speaking |
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills |
| Interior Architecture | IELTS 6.5 to include 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in listening and speaking |
| IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all skills |
| Course | IELTS level |
|---|---|
| All undergraduate courses | 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking |
| All postgraduate courses | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking |
We may be able accept alternative qualifications as evidence of your language skills if:
The following information is a guide and your ability will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Our Pre-sessional English course can help you to meet the language requirements for all our undergraduate and postgraduate. Entry levels are from IELTS 4.5 overall with 4.0 in all skills.
Even if your current English qualifications are high enough, you may choose to take this course to boost your confidence in English (writing, reading, listening and speaking) before starting your degree.
* Overall passes at 50% or 60% must also include the same % in Academic Reading and Writing.
For programmes requiring IELTS 5.5 or 6.0, we will require 60% in English. For programmes requiring IELTS 6.5 or higher, we will require 65% in English from the following examination boards:
We are pleased to confirm that we have expanded the examination boards we are able to accept. For programmes requiring IELTS 6.0, we will require 65% in English. For programmes requiring an IELTS 6.5 or higher, we will accept 70% in English from the following examination boards:
The table below compares the scores and components for a number of English Language qualifications we are able to accept based on the UK Visa and Immigration requirements for the Student Route Visa. We accept a range of other qualifications also listed on this page. If you have received a verification ID number with your English Language qualification, please send this (along with your applicant ID number) to our admissions team via admissions@brookes.ac.uk in order to verify your qualification.
| IELTS | Pearson Test of English (PTE) | Language Cert Academic | Kaplan Test of English (KTE) | Password | OIEG - ELLT | TOEFL (Tests taken before 21 January 2026) | TOEFL (Tests taken on or after 21 January 2026) | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall 5.5 | 59 | 60 | 425 | 5.5 | 5 | 72 | 4 | 100 |
Components minimum 5.5 | 59 | 60 | 425 | 5 | R18, L17, S20, W17 | 4 | 100 | |
Overall 6.0 | 65 | 65 | 426- 458 | 6 | 6 | 80 | 4 | 110 |
Components minimum 6.0 | 65 | 65 | 426 | 6 | R20, L21, S24, W19 | 4 | 110 | |
Overall 6.5 | 71 | 70 | 459 - 494 | 6.5 | 7 | 88 | 4.5 | 120 |
Components minimum 6.5 | 71 | 70 | 459 | 7 | R24, L22, S25, W24 | 4.5 | 120 | |
Overall 7.0 | 76 | 75 | 495 - 526 | 7 | 8 | 95 | 5 | 130 |
Components minimum 7.0 | 76 | 75 | 495 | 8 | 5 | 130 |
We are able to accept IELTS One Skill retake results. Please refer to the IELTS website for more information.
Scores are expressed as minimum requirements
Undergraduate - Cambridge International Education: Grade C with 2 in Speaking (0510)/ Grade 4 with Distinction in Speaking (0993). Oxford AQA: grade 5. Pearson: Grade 7.
Postgraduate - As undergraduate with continued use of English to keep skills alive
Kaplan Test of English (KTE)
If you have applied for our Pre-sessional English or International Foundation Diploma courses, or to a course that has an IELTS requirement below 6.0 and you need a student visa, you must take a UK Visa and Immigration approved SELT (Secure English Language Test). We are able to accept the following SELTs if they have been taken at a UKVI approved test centre:
If you have any questions about this, our International Student Advice Team can help you to apply for your visa.
If you are from a country that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) considers as majority English speaking, or you’ve completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them, you then you will not have to prove your English language level for visa purposes.
You also don’t need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of Canada or you have proved your level of English in a previous visa application.
Please refer to the UKVI for the latest information.