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.
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 Academic - 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:
* 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 | TOEFL iBT | Pearson PTE | Cambridge English Scale** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B1 | Listening | 4.0 | 9 | 2.5 | 36 | 142 |
Reading | 4.0 | 4 | 2.5 | 36 | 142 | |
Speaking | 4.0 | 16 | 3 | 36 | 142 | |
Writing | 4.0 | 13 | 3 | 36 | 142 | |
Total | 4.0 | 42 | 3 | 36 | 142 | |
Listening | 4.5 | 12 | 3.5 | 41 | 147 | |
Reading | 4.5 | 9 | 3 | 41 | 147 | |
Speaking | 4.5 | 18 | 3.5 | 41 | 147 | |
Writing | 4.5 | 15 | 3.5 | 41 | 147 | |
Total | 4.5 | 54 | 3.5 | 41 | 147 | |
Listening | 5.0 | 15 | 3.5 | 46 | 154 | |
Reading | 5.0 | 14 | 3.5 | 46 | 154 | |
Speaking | 5.0 | 19 | 4 | 46 | 154 | |
Writing | 5.0 | 16 | 4 | 46 | 154 | |
Total | 5.0 | 63 | 4 | 46 | 154 | |
B2 | Listening | 5.5 | 17 | 4 | 51 | 162 |
Reading | 5.5 | 18 | 4 | 51 | 162 | |
Speaking | 5.5 | 20 | 4 | 51 | 162 | |
Writing | 5.5 | 17 | 4 | 51 | 162 | |
Total | 5.5 | 72 | 4 | 51 | 162 | |
Listening | 6.0 | 19 | 4.5 | 56 | 169 | |
Reading | 6.0 | 20 | 4 | 56 | 169 | |
Speaking | 6.0 | 22 | 4.5 | 56 | 169 | |
Writing | 6.0 | 19 | 4 | 56 | 169 | |
Total | 6.0 | 80 | 4 | 56 | 169 | |
Listening | 6.5 | 21 | 5 | 61 | 176 | |
Reading | 6.5 | 22 | 4.5 | 61 | 176 | |
Speaking | 6.5 | 23 | 4.5 | 61 | 176 | |
Writing | 6.5 | 22 | 4.5 | 61 | 176 | |
Total | 6.5 | 88 | 4.5 | 61 | 176 | |
C1 | Listening | 7.0 | 22 | 5 | 67 | 185 |
Reading | 7.0 | 24 | 5 | 67 | 185 | |
Speaking | 7.0 | 25 | 5 | 67 | 185 | |
Writing | 7.0 | 24 | 5 | 67 | 185 | |
Total | 7.0 | 95 | 5 | 67 | 185 | |
Listening | 7.5 | 24 | 5.5 | 72 | 191 | |
Reading | 7.5 | 26 | 5.5 | 72 | 191 | |
Speaking | 7.5 | 27 | 5.5 | 72 | 191 | |
Writing | 7.5 | 26 | 5.5 | 72 | 191 | |
Total | 7.5 | 103 | 5.5 | 72 | 191 | |
Listening | 8.0 | 26 | 6 | 76 | 200 | |
Reading | 8.0 | 28 | 6 | 76 | 200 | |
Speaking | 8.0 | 28 | 6 | 76 | 200 | |
Writing | 8.0 | 28 | 6 | 76 | 200 | |
Total | 8.0 | 110 | 6 | 76 | 200 | |
C2 | Listening | 8.5 | 29 | 6 | 80 | 205 |
Reading | 8.5 | 29 | 6 | 80 | 205 | |
Speaking | 8.5 | 29 | 6 | 80 | 205 | |
Writing | 8.5 | 30 | 6 | 80 | 205 | |
Total | 8.5 | 117 | 6 | 80 | 205 |