To support our applicants in meeting the English language requirements, we're offering one free online English language test to those who need it for January or September 2025 entries. We will send you further information about once you have applied.

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency in all four components of English: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This assessment should meet the required standards for your degree course.

As a general rule:

  • to be accepted onto any Bachelor’s or Master’s programme, you will need to have achieved a minimum of IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each component. Our English Language Comparison Scores page provides comparison tables. 
  • to be accepted on to a Research degree programme, you will need to have achieved an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four component scores, or equivalent. The language requirement may be higher for some research degree programmes, in particular those which require a high level of communication skills.

We accept a range of recognised English Language qualifications for entry, which are among the language tests published and regularly updated by the UK Border Agency for Student Route visa purposes. 

BU accepts the following online English language tests:

Successfully completing a pre-sessional English for university study programme will also allow you to study for a Bachelor's or Master’s degree.

For certain courses, you may need to have a higher grade overall or in certain components. English language requirements for individual courses are listed on the specific course pages.

We will consider alternative evidence of your English proficiency, including different qualifications or if you can demonstrate that you have received the majority of your schooling in English. If you feel you meet the required standard for English, but do not have one of the qualifications listed above, please indicate this on your application form.

If you have any further questions please complete our International Admissions enquiry form.