Comparison of English language test scores

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