UCAS: English language proficiency

Get to know the proficiency tests accepted by universities and colleges

The universities and colleges that your students choose should tell them what standard of English, both written and spoken, they need for their course. If English is not their first language, most universities and colleges will want them to have a qualification in English or to take a specified test in English. You should advise your students to contact the admissions office or international office for their chosen universities or colleges to find out which of the following proficiency tests are acceptable:

Anglia Examinations Syndicate

Proficiency - pass or better

Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) Certificates in English Language Skills (ESOL) - now owned and run by EDI

Set 2 - Performance is not graded but candidates do receive marks (within 5%) achieved in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Last awarded through AQA in summer 2006.

British Institutes Certificates

Contact the institution direct.

Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

First Certificate in English - (National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 1)
Certificate in Advanced English - (NQF Level 2)
Certificate of Proficiency in English - (NQF Level 3)
Business English Certificate Vantage - (NQF Level 1)
Business English Certificate Higher - (NQF Level 2)
Skills for Life (NQF Level 1 and 2) - a three-mode qualification covering writing, reading, and speaking and listening, based on the ESOL core curriculum and the adult literacy standards. There is one passing grade: Pass

University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)

GCE O Level English Language (Syllabus numbers 1119, 1120, 1123, 1124, 1125, 1126) - grade C or better
IGCSE First Language English (Syllabus number 0500) - grade C or better
IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus number 0510) - grade C or better

University of Central Lancashire English Language Examinations

Examinations have reading, writing, listening, speaking and use of English components graded separately from the overall grade on the transcript. Each examination has pass, merit or distinction.

Certificate in English (Council of Europe Level B2) Level 2 - Independent User- pass or above sufficient for some undergraduate programmes
Certificate in English (Council of Europe Level B1) Level 2 - Independent User

Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life

Offered by Cambridge ESOL, City and Guilds, Edexcel, Education Development International plc, English Speaking Board, National Open College Network, Open College of the North West and Trinity College London. The levels are set to equivalent NQF Levels.

City and Guilds

English for business communication - Level 2 First Class Pass, or Level 3 Pass for more linguistically exacting courses
International ESOL and International Spoken ESOL - Expert Level (NQF Level 2) and Mastery Level (NQF Level 3)

Edexcel

International GCE O Level English Language - grade C or better
IGCSE English as a Second Language - grade C or better
IGCSE English Language - grade C or better
GCSE English Language - grade C or better

Education Development International (EDI) Certificates in English Language Skills (ESOL)

EDI Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 1)
EDI Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 2)
EDI Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International (Entry 3)
EDI Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International
EDI Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International

English Speaking Board

English as an acquired language (EAL)/(ESOL) Spoken Communication and Presentation - Level 3 (NQF Level 3), Level 2 (Step 1) and Level 2 (Step 2) (NQF Level 2)
Schools EAL - Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 (NQF Level 2)
ESB Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes
ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes
ESB Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes
ESB Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (Entry 3)

Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination: Use of English - Grade E or better
Hong Kong Advanced Supplementary Level Examination: Use of English - Grade E or better
Hong Kong Certificate of Education (HKCEE) prior to 2007: English Language (Syllabus B) - Grade C or better. 2007 onwards: English Language Level 3 or better

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Regulated by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and the International Development Program Education Australia. Most UK HEIs require an overall score of 5.0-7.5, depending on the content of the course. The test report form is recommended as valid for two years and candidates receive a band score for each of the following skill areas: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Applicants should offer academic rather than general training, reading and writing modules.

Institute of Linguists

Diploma in English for International Communication tests English language skills at degree-equivalent level. Last awarded 2004.

LCCI International Qualifications

English for Business (EFB) - pass at Level 3
English for Commerce (EFC) - pass at Level 3
Spoken English for Industry and Commerce (SEFIC) - pass at Level 3
English Language Skills Assessment (ELSA) Reading & Listening. Test Score of 383/500

Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

For further information, please contact Malaysian Examinations Council, Bangunan MPM, Persiaran 1, Bandar Baru Selayang, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
tel: +60 (0) 3 6136 9663
fax: +60 (0) 3 6136 1488
email: ppa@mpm.edu.my
website: www.mpm.edu.my

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)

A score of 80 or above for admission to higher education in the UK, and 90 or above should be required for programmes with high literary content.

Pearson Language Assessments - London Tests of English

The London Tests of English consist of two parts: a written paper and an oral exam. The written paper tests listening, reading, comprehension and writing skills. Both parts are externally assessed. Universities and colleges may accept Level 3 (Council of Europe Level B2), Level 4 (Council of Europe Level C1) or Level 5 (Council of Europe Level C2) for entry at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Further information is available at www.pearsonlanguageassessments.com.

University of Reading

Test in English for Educational Purposes (TEEP)
Reading, listening and writing are reported on the performance certificate, both as independent scores and as an overall composite score. An additional Language Knowledge paper is taken into account when estimating the overall composite score for Band Scores 5.0-6.5. Scores above and below this range are not affected.

Trinity College London

Graded examinations in ESOL:

Grades 7, 8 and 9 as evidence of spoken English ability (NQF Level 1);
Grades 10 and 11 as evidence of spoken English ability (NQF Level 2);
Grade 12 as evidence of spoken English ability (NQF Level 3).

Integrated Skills in English (ISE):

ISE II as evidence of all skills in English (NQF Level 1);
ISE III as evidence of all skills in English (NQF Level 2);
ISE IV as evidence of all skills in English (NQF Level 3).

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

In the paper-based test, a score of 550 or above (600 or above is recommended for degrees with a literary content). Comparable scores for the computer-based test are 213 or above, and 250 and above. Comparable scores for the internet-based test are 79 or above, and 100 or above.

Warwick English Language Test

A test of language proficiency consisting of three papers, which together predict a candidate's language ability at either a pre-university (foundation) or university (undergraduate and graduate) level. The skills tested are English grammar and usage, writing and reading. There is no speaking or listening test. Grades are reported on a formal certificate with information on the reverse about level of achievement. Further information is available from:
The WELT Administrator, CELTE, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL.

Non-UK advisers