Information for Prospective Students
30% (475sq km) of London's surface area is parkland, including eight royal parks
Acceptable English language qualifications
In addition to achievement in your qualifying examinations, students whose first language is not English must meet UCL's English language requirement.
UCL's preferred English language qualifications are GCSE English Language and IELTS (Academic version), though we accept a number of different English language qualifications.
Acceptable English language qualifications for undergraduate study at UCL include:
GCSE/IGCSE English Language (preferred)
Standard level: Pass at grade C
Good level: Pass at grade C
Advanced level: Pass at grade B
Test provider details
Contact the relevant examination boards for further information.
IELTS Academic (preferred)
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 each of the subtests.
Test provider details
IELTS Subject Manager
University of Cambridge ESOL
Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, CB1 2EU
Tel: +44 (0)1223 553355
Fax: +44 (0)1223 460278
Web: www.cambridgeesol.org
The British Council
Bridgewater House
58 Whitworth Street
Manchester
M1 6BB
Tel: +44 (0)161 957 7755
Fax: +44 (0)161 957 7762
Email: general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org
Information on how to take IELTS Academic including a list of test centres across the world is available on the website: www.ielts.org
TOEFL (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.
Test provider details
TOEFL Services
PO Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
USA
Tel: +1 609 771 7100 (8.00am–8.00pm New York time)
Tel: +1 877 863 3546 (8.00am–8.00pm New York time)
Fax : +1 609 771 8972
Web: www.toefl.org
Students must obtain a TOEFL Information and Registration Bulletin relevant for the area in which they reside. Bulletins can be requested from the above address, consulted in educational institutions or viewed on the web. UCL's 4-digit institution code (DI code) is 9163.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
Standard level: Pass at grade C
Good level: Pass at grade B
Advanced level: Pass at grade B
Test provider details
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, CB1 2EU
Tel: +44 (0)1223 553355
Fax: +44 (0)1223 460278
Web: www.cambridge-efl.org
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English
Standard level: Pass at grade B
Good level: Pass at grade A
Advanced level: Not acceptable
Test provider details
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, CB1 2EU
Tel: +44 (0)1223 553355
Fax: +44 (0)1223 460278
Web: www.cambridge-efl.org
Cambridge English Language 1119
Standard level: Pass at grade 6
Good level: Pass at grade 6
Advanced level: Pass at grade 4
Test provider details
University of Cambridge International Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, CB1 2EU
Tel: +44 (0)1223 553554
Fax: +44 (0)1223 553558
Web: www.cie.org.uk
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Ordinary Level in English Language
Standard level: Pass at grade C
Good level: Pass at grade C
Advanced level: Pass at grade B
Test provider details
University of Cambridge International Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, CB1 2EU
Tel: +44 (0)1223 553554
Fax: +44 (0)1223 553558
Web: www.cie.org.uk
City & Guilds (Pitman Examination in International ESOL)
Standard level: Pass at Mastery level when achieved with a pass at Mastery level in the Pitman International Spoken (ISESOL) test.
Good level: Pass at Mastery level when achieved with a pass at Mastery level in the Pitman International Spoken (ISESOL) test.
Advanced level: Not acceptable.
Test provider details
Students based in UK:
City and Guilds Pitman Qualifications
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Tel: 0844 543 0033
E-mail: learnersupport@cityandguilds.com
Web: www.pitmanqualifications.com
Students based outside UK:
International Customer Service Administrator
Pitman Qualifications
1 Giltspur Street
London, EC1A 9DD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7294 2885
Fax: +44 (0)20 7294 2413
E-mail: intcg@cityandguilds.com
Web: www.pitmanqualifications.com
IGCSE English as a Second Language, Syllabus 0510
Standard level: Pass at grade C
Good level: Pass at grade C
Advanced level: Pass at grade B
UCL Pre-sessional English courses
Standard level: Overall mark of 65%, with at least 60% in each of the sub-tests.
Good level: Overall mark of 70%, with at least 60% in each of the sub-tests.
Advanced level: Overall mark of 75%, with at least 65% in each of the sub-tests.
Test provider details
UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE)
26 Bedford Way
London
WC1H 0AP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 5454
Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 8667
E-mail: clie@ucl.ac.uk
Web: www.ucl.ac.uk/clie
UCL Diploma in English for Academic Purposes
Standard level: Overall mark of 65%, with at least 60% in each of the four sub-tests.
Good level: Overall mark of 70%, with at least 60% in each of the four sub-tests.
Advanced level: Overall mark of 75%, with at least 65% in each of the four sub-tests.
Test provider details
UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE)
26 Bedford Way
London
WC1H 0AP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 5454
Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 8667
E-mail: clie@ucl.ac.uk
Web: www.ucl.ac.uk/clie
Hong Kong Certificate of Education English Language (Standards-Referenced Reporting Scheme)
Standard level: Pass at grade 3
Good level: Pass at grade 3
Advanced level: Pass at grade 4
Test provider details
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
12/F Southern Centre
130 Hennessy Road
Wan Chai
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3628 8860
Fax: +852 3628 8928
Email: ce@hkeaa.edu.hk
Web: www.hkeaa.edu.hk
Malaysian Certificate of Education English Language Communicational (122)
Standard level: Pass at grade 6
Good level: Pass at grade 6
Advanced level: Pass at grade 4
Test provider details
Examinations Syndicate
Malaysian Ministry of Education
Jalan Duta
50604 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 77237070
Web: www.moe.gov.my
International Baccalaureate (IB) – when examined in 2012 or before
Standard level
For native or near-native speakers:
B Language A1 at either higher or standard level – grade 4
IB Language A2 at either higher or standard level – grade 4
For non-native speakers:
IB Language B at higher level – grade 4
IB Language B at standard level – grade 6
Good level
For native or near-native speakers:
IB Language A1 at either higher or standard level – grade 4
IB Language A2 at either higher or standard level – grade 4
For non-native speakers:
IB Language B at higher level - grade 4
IB Language B at standard level - grade 6
Advanced level
For native or near-native speakers:
IB Language A1 at either higher or standard level – grade 5
IB Language A2 at either higher or standard level – grade 5
For non-native speakers:
IB Language B at higher level – grade 5
IB Language B at standard level – grade 7
Test provider details
International Baccalaureate Organisation
Route des Morillons 15
1218 Grand-Saconnex
Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 7740
Fax: +41 22 791 0277
E-mail: ibhq@ibo.org
Web: www.ibo.org
International Baccalaureate (IB) – when examined in 2013 or beyond
Standard level
For native or near-native speakers:
IB English Language A: Literature or Language and Literature at either higher or standard level – grade 4
For non-native speakers:
IB English Language B at higher level – grade 4
IB English Language B at standard level – grade 6
Good level
For native or near-native speakers:
IB English Language A: Literature or Language and Literature at either higher or standard level – grade 4
For non-native speakers:
IB English Language B at higher level – grade 4
IB English Language B at standard level – grade 6
Advanced level
For native or near-native speakers:
IB English Language A: Literature or Language and Literature at either higher or standard level – grade 5
For non-native speakers:
IB English Language B at higher level – grade 5
IB English Language B at standard level – grade 7
Test provider details
International Baccalaureate Organisation
Route des Morillons 15
1218 Grand-Saconnex
Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 7740
Fax: +41 22 791 0277
E-mail: ibhq@ibo.org
Web: www.ibo.org
European School Leaving/Matriculation Certificates
Austria
All levels: In the Matura/Reifeprufung, 2 (gut) in English when both written and oral examinations have been taken.
Belgium
All levels: In the Diploma van Secundair or the Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur, the equivalent of 8/80%/grote onderscheiding/avec grande distinction in English.
Denmark
All levels: In the Studentereksamen, 10 in English.
European Baccalaureate
All levels: 8 in English as either an Obligatory Subject (Language I or II) or as a Full Option (Language III or IV).
Finland
All levels: In the Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen matriculation examination, 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) in English.
France
All levels: In the Baccalaureat General, 13 (assez bien) in English, where the co-efficient applied to the subject is greater than 1.
Germany
All levels: In the Abitur, 12 (gut) in English when taken as an achievement/main/intensive course.
Iceland
All levels: In the Studentsprof matriculation examination, 8 in English when taken as a compulsory modern language.
Luxembourg
All levels: In the Examen de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires, 45 (bien) in English.
The Netherlands
All levels: In the Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) diploma, 7 (ruim voldoende) in English.
Norway
All levels: In the Vitnemal - videregaende opplaering, 5 in English.
Sweden
All levels: In the Avgangsbetyg, VG (val godkant) in English.
Switzerland
All levels: In the Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita federal maturity certificate or the federally-recognised cantonal maturity certificate, 5 (gut/bien/bene) in English.
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
UCL will accept the Pearson Test of English (Academic), often referred to as PTE (Academic), with the following grades:
- Standard level: 62 overall, with a minimum of 59 in each component
- Good level: 69 overall, with a minimum of 59 in each component
- Advanced level: 75 overall, with a minimum of 62 in each component.
The test is taken online.
Test provider details
Web: www.pearsonpte.com/pteacademic/Pages/home.aspx
Page last modified on 11 mar 13 10:13

