UK Study Guide

IELTS and English requirements for UK universities

English requirements for UK study are set in two places: by the university (for admission to the course) and, for some cases, by the Home Office (for the visa). They are not identical, and they vary between universities and even between courses at the same university. This guide explains the common routes without over-promising.

Is IELTS compulsory to study in the UK?

Not always. IELTS is the most widely recognised test, but many universities accept other evidence of English. What is accepted depends on the university and the specific course, so treat IELTS as the safest default and check each university’s current requirement rather than assuming.

What about PTE, Duolingo, or a medium-of-instruction (MOI) waiver?

Some universities accept PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, or an MOI letter (confirming your previous study was taught in English) in place of IELTS. This is decided per university and per course.

Do not assume every UK university accepts MOI, PTE or Duolingo. Acceptance varies, and some courses — especially where the visa requires a Secure English Language Test — need a specific approved test. Always confirm with the university.

When does the visa need a specific English test?

For some applications the Home Office requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, rather than whatever the university accepted for admission. Whether this applies depends on your course and circumstances — check the current GOV.UK guidance on proving your knowledge of English.

Do Bachelor’s and Master’s have different English requirements?

Often, yes. Postgraduate courses can ask for a higher overall score or higher sub-scores than undergraduate courses, and some professional or clinical courses set their own higher bar. The requirement is course-specific.

My English evidence is unclear — what should I do?

Do not submit an application hoping it will be accepted. Send Intandem your transcripts and any test scores; we confirm the current requirement for your chosen university and course and tell you whether your evidence meets it or whether you need a test, before you apply.