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 (in-person only) 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**
B1	Listening	4.0	9	36	142
	Reading	4.0	4	36	142
	Speaking	4.0	16	36	142
	Writing	4.0	13	36	142
	Total	4.0	42	36	142
	Listening	4.5	12	41	147
	Reading	4.5	9	41	147
	Speaking	4.5	18	41	147
	Writing	4.5	15	41	147
	Total	4.5	54	41	147
	Listening	5.0	15	46	154
	Reading	5.0	14	46	154
	Speaking	5.0	19	46	154
	Writing	5.0	16	46	154
	Total	5.0	63	46	154
B2	Listening	5.5	17	51	162
	Reading	5.5	18	51	162
	Speaking	5.5	20	51	162
	Writing	5.5	17	51	162
	Total	5.5	72	51	162
	Listening	6.0	19	56	169
	Reading	6.0	20	56	169
	Speaking	6.0	22	56	169
	Writing	6.0	19	56	169
	Total	6.0	80	56	169
	Listening	6.5	21	61	176
	Reading	6.5	22	61	176
	Speaking	6.5	23	61	176
	Writing	6.5	22	61	176
	Total	6.5	88	61	176
C1	Listening	7.0	22	67	185
	Reading	7.0	24	67	185
	Speaking	7.0	25	67	185
	Writing	7.0	24	67	185
	Total	7.0	95	67	185
	Listening	7.5	24	72	191
	Reading	7.5	26	72	191
	Speaking	7.5	27	72	191
	Writing	7.5	26	72	191
	Total	7.5	103	72	191
	Listening	8.0	26	76	200
	Reading	8.0	28	76	200
	Speaking	8.0	28	76	200
	Writing	8.0	28	76	200
	Total	8.0	110	76	200
C2	Listening	8.5	29	80	205
	Reading	8.5	29	80	205
	Speaking	8.5	29	80	205
	Writing	8.5	30	80	205
	Total	8.5	117	80	205