English language requirements
If you want to study at the University of Sheffield, you must be able show that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course.
The English language qualifications, and minimum scores, that we accept are listed below. Please note that some courses ask for higher scores due to the nature of their subject areas. You can find the requirements for individual taught courses in the taught course listings, and for postgraduate research from the relevant academic department. If you have successfully completed a first degree taught in English in a majority native English speaking country, you will not normally need to provide other evidence of English language ability.
If your qualification is not listed, or if you require further information, please contact the Admissions Service. For details of English language teaching at the University of Sheffield, please visit the English Language Teaching Centre website.
English language qualifications
UK qualifications
| Qualification | Level |
|---|---|
| GCSE English (English, English Language, but not usually English Literature) | Grade C or above |
| IGCSE English Language (as a first language) | Grade C or above |
| IGCSE English Language (as a second language) | Grade B or above |
| O Level English Language | Grade C or above |
| AS Level English Language | Grade C or above |
| A Level English Language | Grade C or above |
| A Level General Studies | Grade C or above |
| Scottish Certificate of Education, Standard Grade English | Grade C or above |
| Scottish Certificate of Education, Higher Grade English | Grade C or above |
| Irish Leaving Certificate, Ordinary Level English | Grade C or above |
| Irish Leaving Certificate, Higher Level English | Grade C or above |
International tests in English
| Qualification | Level |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) | Average of 6.0 or above with at least 5.5 in each component (IELTS requirements for each postgraduate taught course are provided in the PGT course listings) |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Please note that the internet-based test (IBT) is the only TOEFL qualification that we accept. Details of the equivalence between IELTS and TOEFL scores are available on the ELTC webpages). |
80 or above, with at least 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking |
| University of Sheffield English Proficiency Test (USEPT) (graded as a percentage that is equivalent to IELTS point score, eg 60% = IELTS 6.0) | Average of 60% or above with at least 55% in each component |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | 56 or above, with at least 51 in each component |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level English | Grade 4 or above |
| European Baccalaureate (EB) English | 6.5 or above |
| NEAB University Entrance Test in English | Pass |
| Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) | Grade C or above |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | Grade C or above |
| Oxford Higher Level Certificate | Pass, Credit or Distinction |
| London Examinations Certificate of Attainment | Level 4 or above |
| NCUK International Foundation Year: English for Academic Purposes Module | Grade C or above |
Other international qualifications
| Qualification | Level |
|---|---|
| Cameroon GCE O Level | Grade C or above |
| Caribbean Examination Council General Proficiency | Grade I and II |
| French Baccalaureate l'Option Internationale, English | Grade 11 or above |
| German Abitur, English | Grade 11 or above |
| Hong Kong Use of English | Grade D or above |
| Indian Standard XII | 70% or above in the English component |
| Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) | Grade B or above |
| Malaysian 1119 syllabus (UCLES) | Grade C or above |
| Netherlands VWO, English | Grade 7 or above |
| Norwegian Vitnemål, English | Grade 4 or above |
| Singapore GCE O Level | Grade C or above |
| Singapore Computerised English Language Proficiency Test (CELPT) | Grade 6.5 or above |
| Sri Lanka GCE O Level | Grade Credit or above |
| Swedish Fullstandigt fran Gymnasieskolan, English | Grade VG or above |
| Uganda Certificate of Education | Grade 6 or above |
| West African Examinations Council School Certificate (WAEC SSCE) | Grade 6/C or above (please note that in the West African Examinations Council School Certificate a lower grade indicates higher achievement – ie 5 is better than 6) |
| Zambian Secondary School Certificate | Grade 6 or above |
Qualifications not acceptedPlease note that we are unable to accept some qualifications as meeting the English language entry requirements. Qualifications we are unable to accept include the following:
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