Comparison of English language test scores

This table compares the total and component scores required from English language qualifications for which entry requirements vary between courses.

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The University of Sheffield will use these comparisons to ascertain whether candidates have met the level required in their conditional offer.

IELTS tests taken at UK government-approved test centres (known as "IELTS for UKVI"), Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) taken in the UK, Pearson Test of English Academic UKVI (PTE Academic) and LanguageCert International ESOL SELT are considered as Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) for visa purposes. These are the only qualifications that can be used in applications for a Student Visa to study a pre-sessional course at the English Language Teaching Centre.

The qualifications listed in the table below are not SELTs. They cannot be used in applications for a Student Visa to study at the ELTC, but can be used in visa applications to study a degree course at the University.

Please be aware that Academic IELTS and Pearson PTE exams are different to IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI exams respectively. However, the Academic IELTS follows the same grading scale as the IELTS for UKVI and the Pearson PTE follows the same grading scale as the PTE Academic UKVI. Please note the Academic IELTS and Pearson PTE are not SELTs, while the IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are. This means that Academic IELTS and Pearson PTE cannot be used to obtain a Student Visa to attend a full-time English course, however they can still be used to obtain a Student Visa for degree courses at the University.

For more information, please see our guidance on the UK government’s English language requirements and the University’s application of this policy:

Secure English Language Tests

* The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
** The Cambridge English Scale applies to the Cambridge Assessment English C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency qualifications

CEFR* Component IELTS TOEFL iBT Pearson PTE Cambridge English Scale** USEPT
B1 Listening 4.0 9 36 142 40
  Reading 4.0 4 36 142 40
  Speaking 4.0 16 36 142 40
  Writing 4.0 13 36 142 40
  Total 4.0 42 36 142 40
             
  Listening 4.5 12 41 147 45
  Reading 4.5 9 41 147 45
  Speaking 4.5 18 41 147 45
  Writing 4.5 15 41 147 45
  Total 4.5 54 41 147 45
             
  Listening 5.0 15 46 154 50
  Reading 5.0 14 46 154 50
  Speaking 5.0 19 46 154 50
  Writing 5.0 16 46 154 50
  Total 5.0 63 46 154 50
             
B2 Listening 5.5 17 51 162 55
  Reading 5.5 18 51 162 55
  Speaking 5.5 20 51 162 55
  Writing 5.5 17 51 162 55
  Total 5.5 72 51 162 55
             
  Listening 6.0 19 56 169 60
  Reading 6.0 20 56 169 60
  Speaking 6.0 22 56 169 60
  Writing 6.0 19 56 169 60
  Total 6.0 80 56 169 60
             
  Listening 6.5 21 61 176 65
  Reading 6.5 22 61 176 65
  Speaking 6.5 23 61 176 65
  Writing 6.5 22 61 176 65
  Total 6.5 88 61 176 65
             
C1 Listening 7.0 22 67 185 70
  Reading 7.0 24 67 185 70
  Speaking 7.0 25 67 185 70
  Writing 7.0 24 67 185 70
  Total 7.0 95 67 185 70
             
  Listening 7.5 24 72 191 75
  Reading 7.5 26 72 191 75
  Speaking 7.5 27 72 191 75
  Writing 7.5 26 72 191 75
  Total 7.5 103 72 191 75
             
  Listening 8.0 26 76 200 80
  Reading 8.0 28 76 200 80
  Speaking 8.0 28 76 200 80
  Writing 8.0 28 76 200 80
  Total 8.0 110 76 200 80
             
C2 Listening 8.5 29 80 205 85
  Reading 8.5 29 80 205 85
  Speaking 8.5 29 80 205 85
  Writing 8.5 30 80 205 85
  Total 8.5 117 80 205 85

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