INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

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Graduate

Application & Entry: UCL's English Language Proficiency Requirement

Sources of Further Information on English Language Qualifications Accepted by UCL

All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programmes for which they have applied. This requirement is specified in order to ensure that the academic progress of students is not hindered by language difficulties and that students are able to integrate socially while studying at UCL and living in the UK.

The required evidence may take the form of either:

1. Substantial education (minimum twelve months) or work experience (minimum eighteen months) conducted in English and undertaken no more than three years prior to the proposed date of enrolment,

or

2. A recently obtained acceptable English language qualification or test result. The qualification or test result must have been awarded no more than three years prior to the proposed date of enrolment.

UCL reserve the right, in individual circumstances, to specify an additional language requirement for an applicant.

UCL's preferred English language qualification is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic. Listed below are all the English language qualifications and tests that are recognised by UCL and the level (standard, good or advanced) required to satisfy UCL’s English language requirement. 

The required evidence should, if possible, be included with the complete application. If either unsatisfactory or no evidence of English language proficiency has been provided with the application, admission will be conditional upon the provision of such evidence. This condition will be clearly indicated on the offer letter and must be fulfilled before enrolment at UCL.

UCL Language Centre

The UCL Language Centre offers a one-year diploma in English for Academic Purposes and a range of pre-sessional programmes, including a 20 week Graduate Preparatory Course. These programmes are recognised for the purpose of satisfying UCL’s English language proficiency requirement. Further information may be obtained from:

UCL Language Centre 26 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AP

Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 5454 Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 8667 Email: languagecentre@ucl.ac.uk Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/language-centre

It would be helpful if, when requesting information about the UCL Language Centre's English language programmes, an indication could be given of the current level of  proficiency in English that is possessed.

English Language Qualifications Accepted by UCL for Graduate Study

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic

Standard level: Overall grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests.
Good level: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests.
Advanced level: Overall grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in is each of the subtests.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Paper based version

Standard level: Score of 580, plus 4 in Test of Written English (TWE).
Good level: Score of 600, plus 5 in Test of Written English (TWE).
Advanced level: Score of 630, plus 5 in Test of Written English (TWE).

Internet based version

Standard level: Score of 92, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 20/30 in the listening and speaking subtests.
Good level: Score of 100, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 20/30 in the listening and speaking subtests.
Advanced level: Score of 109, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 20/30 in the listening and speaking subtests.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English

Standard level: Pass at grade C.
Good level: Pass at grade B.
Advanced level: Pass at grade B.

Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English

Standard level: Pass at grade B.
Good level: Pass at grade A.
Advanced level: Not acceptable.

Pitman Examination in International ESOL

Standard level: Pass at Mastery level when achieved with a pass at Mastery level in the Pitman International Spoken test (ISESOL).
Good level: Pass at Mastery level when achieved with a pass at Mastery level in the Pitman International Spoken test (ISESOL).
Advanced level: Not acceptable.

UCL Language Centre: Pre-Sessional English Language Courses and Graduate Preparatory Course

Standard level: Mark of 65%, with at least 60% in each of the subtests. 
Good level: Mark of 70%, with at least 60% in each of the subtests. 
Advanced level: Mark of 75%, with at least 70% in each of the subtests. 

UCL Language Centre: Diploma in English for Academic Purposes with Academic Research Skills

Standard level: Overall mark of 65%, with at least 60% in each of the four subtests. 
Good level: Overall mark of 70%, with at least 60% in each of the four subtests. 
Advanced level: Overall mark of 75%, with at least 70% in each of the four subtests. 

Individual Faculty, Department or Programme level required:

UCL reserves the right, in individual circumstances, to specify an additional language requirement for an applicant, or to require a higher level than that indicated above.

UCL FACULTY	LEVEL
Faculty of Arts and Humanities	Good
Exception: MFA Fine Art	Standard
Faculty of Biomedical Sciences	Standard
Exceptions: Eastman Dental Institute	Good (N.B. Standard level is required for science research programmes)
MSc /Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Paediatrics	Special level required: Overall IELTS Academic grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each of the subtests. IELTS Academic is the only acceptable English qualification for this programme.
Faculty of the Built Environment	Standard
Faculty of Engineering Sciences	Standard
Exceptions: MSc Financial Computing	Good
MSc Management	Good
MSc Technology Entrepreneurship	Good
All programmes in the Department of Security and Crime Science	Good
Faculty of Laws	Advanced The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English is not accepted.  Applicants should contact the Faculty of Laws regarding the acceptability of education in English and work experience.
Faculty of Life Sciences	Good
Exception:MSc Speech and Language Sciences	Special level required: Overall IELTS Academic grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each of the subtests. IELTS Academic is the only acceptable English qualification for this programme.
Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences	Standard
Exception: Research programmes in the Department of Science and Technology Studies	Good
School of Slavonic and East European Studies	Good
Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences	Good
Exceptions: All programmes in the Department of Geography	Standard
All programmes in the Department of History	Advanced
All programmes in the Department of Political Science	Advanced

UCL reserves the right, in individual circumstances, to specify an additional language requirement for an applicant, or to require a higher level than that indicated above.

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