All International and EU students applying for a course at the University of Northampton must meet the minimum English language requirements in order to be successful in their chosen programme. However, if you do not meet these requirements we offer pre-sessional academic English (PEP) language courses and anInternational Foundation programme.
Types of English Language Qualifications considered by the University of Northampton
For International students and students from the EU living outside the UK, we accept qualifications from several countries, as well as a range of international qualifications and tests. We would also consider Pre-sessional English programmes taken at other institutions, providing we are satisfied that the Pre-Sessional English programme meets our English language entry requirements.
If you have successfully completed a degree or postgraduate diploma taught in English in a majority native English speaking country, you will not usually need to provide other evidence of English language ability. However, for some courses you may still need to satisfy a minimum English Language entry requirement to be accepted on your chosen course at the University of Northampton.
English language qualifications accepted at the University of Northampton
Details of all English language qualifications, and minimum scores, that we accept for undergraduate study are listed below. Please note that, in assessing whether you have sufficient English language to successfully complete your course, we consider these qualifications alongside other evidence of English language ability included in your application, for example in the personal statement.
These are the qualifications most commonly presented by applicants. The minimum levels of achievement for undergraduate study are detailed below. However, different courses require different levels of achievement in these qualifications so it is recommend that you contact Admissions.
If you are presenting one of the qualifications listed in this table, it should have been completed no more than two years before of the start date of your course at the University of Northampton.
Though these may differ for each course, the standards are:
minimum of IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) for undergraduate study
minimum of IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for postgraduate study
Comparison of English language test scores for UKBA visa purposes
This table compares the total and component scores required on certain Secure English Language Tests (SELT) with reference to the UK Border Agency guidelines published 06 April 2011 and its subsequent updates.
CEFR* | Component | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Pearson PTE |
B1 | Listening | 4.0 | 9 | 36 |
B1 | Reading | 4.0 | 4 | 36 |
B1 | Speaking | 4.0 | 16 | 36 |
B1 | Writing | 4.0 | 13 | 36 |
B1 | Total | 4.0 | 42 | 36 |
B1 | Listening | 4.5 | 12 | 41 |
B1 | Reading | 4.5 | 9 | 41 |
B1 | Speaking | 4.5 | 18 | 41 |
B1 | Writing | 4.5 | 15 | 41 |
B1 | Total | 4.5 | 54 | 41 |
B1 | Listening | 5.0 | 15 | 46 |
B1 | Reading | 5.0 | 14 | 46 |
B1 | Speaking | 5.0 | 19 | 46 |
B1 | Writing | 5.0 | 16 | 46 |
B1 | Total | 5.0 | 63 | 46 |
CEFR* | Component | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Pearson PTE |
B2 | Listening | 5.5 | 17 | 51 |
B2 | Reading | 5.5 | 18 | 51 |
B2 | Speaking | 5.5 | 20 | 51 |
B2 | Writing | 5.5 | 17 | 51 |
B2 | Total | 5.5 | 72 | 51 |
B2 | Listening | 6.0 | 19 | 56 |
B2 | Reading | 6.0 | 20 | 56 |
B2 | Speaking | 6.0 | 22 | 56 |
B2 | Writing | 6.0 | 19 | 56 |
B2 | Total | 6.0 | 80 | 56 |
B2 | Listening | 6.5 | 21 | 61 |
B2 | Reading | 6.5 | 22 | 61 |
B2 | Speaking | 6.5 | 23 | 61 |
B2 | Writing | 6.5 | 22 | 61 |
B2 | Total | 6.5 | 88 | 61 |
CEFR* | Component | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Pearson PTE |
C1 | Listening | 7.0 | 22 | 67 |
C1 | Reading | 7.0 | 24 | 67 |
C1 | Speaking | 7.0 | 25 | 67 |
C1 | Writing | 7.0 | 24 | 67 |
C1 | Total | 7.0 | 95 | 67 |
C1 | Listening | 7.5 | 24 | 72 |
C1 | Reading | 7.5 | 26 | 72 |
C1 | Speaking | 7.5 | 27 | 72 |
C1 | Writing | 7.5 | 26 | 72 |
C1 | Total | 7.5 | 103 | 72 |
C1 | Listening | 8.0 | 26 | 76 |
C1 | Reading | 8.0 | 28 | 76 |
C1 | Speaking | 8.0 | 28 | 76 |
C1 | Writing | 8.0 | 28 | 76 |
C1 | Total | 8.0 | 110 | 76 |