English Language Proficiency

All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. This web page sets out our requirements.

Information for offer holders with English Language conditions for 2020 entry

See the useful downloads section below for more information.

Students requiring a visa to study in the UK

In addition to the University’s own English language proficiency requirements, the UK Home Office sets its own minimum standards for applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK. These requirements changed most recently on 6th April 2015. The current requirements are that:

• Applicants required to study the University's pre-sessional English programmes must obtain a satisfactory IELTS (Academic) result taken at a UKVI-approved test centre (a list of such centres can be found below and on the IELTS web site).

List of approved tests and providers.

• Applicants not required to study the University's pre-sessional English programmes may take any of the tests or qualifications listed below.

English Language Tests

The University of Southampton accepts the following English Language Tests:

• IELTS (Academic) (International English Language Testing System)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) The University of Southampton does not recognise MyBest scores and will only accept scores taken in one sitting within the 2 years immediately preceding the programme start date.
• PTE Academic
• Cambridge English: Proficiency and Advanced
• Cambridge English First (FCE) – only acceptable to applicants applying for foundation year programmes
• Trinity College London ISE (Integrated Skills in English)

The University does not recognise any test not listed above.  Secure English Language Tests must be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date as set out in any offer letter issued by the University.

English Language Bands

All programmes will stipulate a level of English proficiency which equates to one of the University's English Language bands, details of which can be found in the Useful Downloads section at the bottom of this page.  Specific information regarding the level of English proficiency required for each programme is also included in the prospectus on the individual programme pages online.

Verification of Results

• IELTS (Academic)

 All results will be verified online. Applicants from outside the EEA for pre-sessional and other English language programmes must take their IELTS (Academic) test as an approved UKVI centre.

• TOEFL iB

 All results will be verified online.

• PTE Academic

All results will be verified online.

• Cambridge Advanced (CAE)

All results will be verified online requiring applicants to provide their 'secret number'.

• Cambridge Proficiency (CPE)

All results will be verified online requiring applicants to provide their 'secret number'.

• Cambridge First (FCE)

This test is only acceptable for applications to foundation year programmes. All results will be verified online requiring applicants to provide their 'secret number'.

• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English

Applicants must provide their certificate and summary slips to the University.

Admission without a Secure English Language Test

The University of Southampton holds a sponsor license issued by the Home Office, permitting the University to recruit students from outside of the EEA who require a visa to study in the UK. It also places certain restrictions on the University in terms of the non-EEA students it can recruit.

The Home Office defines the following countries to be majority native-English speaking and as such, nationals of these countries are not required to demonstrate their English language proficiency by taking an aforementioned SELT.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Additionally, the University will not normally insist upon an applicant providing a SELT if (s)he has recently taken one of the following qualifications to at least the standard indicated (some programmes may require applicants to demonstrate a higher standard where their usual English language proficiency requirements are higher).

a. UK qualifications

For IGCSE English requirements, see Section C, International Qualifications below. 

b. European Qualifications

c. International Qualifications

Please note qualifications which utilise a reverse grading scale (for example the German Abitur or Irish Leaving Certificate), where a lower mark indicates a higher level of attainment, 'or above' refers to the better grade.

d. Other English Language Tests 

e. Other means of assessing English language proficiency

• Applicants who have successfully completed a degree taught and assessed in English in the two years preceding the date of first enrolment at the University of Southampton will be considered for admission.
• Applicants in possession of such a degree completed more than two years, but not more than five years, preceding the date of first enrolment at the University of Southampton will be considered on a case by case basis to assess whether they have sufficient evidence demonstrating their proficiency at the appropriate standard in each skill area (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
• In the case of degrees taught by two or more partner institutions of which only one taught and assessed students in English, the University requires such applicants to demonstrate a minimum of two years instruction in English.

The information included above may be varied at any time without notice and is correct as of November 2017.