English language requirements

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English language requirements

Our courses are taught in English, so you will need a good understanding of the language to study with us.

The standard of English required varies by course. You can see the standard you will need in the 'Entry requirements' section of your course page. This is given as an IELTS score.

Find your course page

If you don't have the right language qualification, we have pre-study English courses to get you ready for the start of term.

Degree level and above

We accept a range of qualifications. Your score will need to be equivalent to the IELTS score given on your course page. You can check this on the tables below.

If you are taking an IELTS test and need a student visa, take IELTS for UKVI, as this is approved by UK Visas and Immigration.

IELTS score of 6.0

Qualification Result required
IELTS Overall: 6.0
Listening: 5.5
Speaking: 5.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 5.5
TOEFL iBT (including TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition) Overall: 79
Listening: 17
Speaking: 20
Reading: 18
Writing: 17
Pearson PTE Academic Overall: 52
Listening: 51
Speaking:51
Reading: 51
Writing: 51
Cambridge IGCSE English as a First Language (Syllabus 0500) Overall: C
Listening: D (0522) or 2 (0500)
Speaking: D (0522) or 2 (0500)
Reading: E
Writing: E
Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus 0510 and 0511) Overall: C
Listening: A
Speaking: C (0511) or 2 (0510)
Reading: D
Writing: D
Cambridge English C1 Advanced (Formerly: Certificate in Advanced English) Overall: C
Listening: 162
Speaking: 162
Reading: 162
Writing: 162
City and Guilds International ESOL Diploma Overall: Communicator
Listening: 15/30
Speaking: 6/12
Reading: 15/30
Writing: 12/24
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) Overall: 80
Michigan Test: Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) Pass
IGSE English as a Second Language C
Sheffield Hallam pre-study English course Grade 4 with minimum of grade 1 in all skills

IELTS score of 6.5

Qualification Result required
IELTS Overall: 6.5
Listening: 5.5
Speaking: 5.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 5.5
TOEFL iBT (Including TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition) Overall: 90
Listening: 17
Speaking: 20
Reading: 18
Writing: 17
Pearson PTE Academic Overall: 60
Listening: 51
Speaking: 51
Reading: 51
Writing: 51
Cambridge English C1 Advanced (Formerly: Certificate in Advanced English) Overall: B
Listening: 162
Speaking: 162
Reading: 162
Writing: 162
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (Formerly: Certificate of Proficiency in English) Overall: C
Listening: 162
Speaking: 162
Reading: 162
Writing: 162
City and Guilds International ESOL Diploma Overall: Expert Level
Listening: 15/30
Speaking: 6/12
Reading: 15/30
Writing: 12/24
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) Overall: 80
Michigan Test: Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) Pass
Sheffield Hallam pre-study English course Grade 7 with minimum of grade 1 in all skills

IELTS score of 7.0

Qualification Result required
IELTS Overall: 7.0
Listening: 5.5
Speaking: 5.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 5.5
TOEFL iBT (including TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition) Overall: 100
Listening: 21
Speaking: 23
Reading: 22
Writing: 21
Pearson PTE Academic Overall: 67
Listening:59
Speaking: 59
Reading: 59
Writing: 59
Cambridge English C1 Advanced (Formerly: Certificate in Advanced English) Overall: A
Listening: 162
Speaking: 162
Reading: 162
Writing: 162
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (Formerly: Certificate of Proficiency in English) Overall: B
Listening: 162
Speaking: 162
Reading: 162
Writing: 162
City and Guilds International ESOL Diploma Overall: Expert Level
Listening: 15/30
Speaking: 6/12
Reading: 15/30
Writing: 12/24
Trinity College London: Level 2 Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life Overall: Level 2
Reading: pass
Listening: pass
Speaking: pass
Writing: pass
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) Overall: 90
Michigan Test: Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) Honours
Sheffield Hallam pre-study English course Grade 10 with minimum of grade 1 in all skills

Diplomas and English language courses

For courses at NFQ level 5 and below, you need to prove your English language level with a UKVI approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).

As with degree level courses, your score must be equivalent to the IELTS score shown on your course page.

Gov.uk has a list of approved English language tests.

Online alternatives for direct applications

If you are applying direct for a course starting in September 2024 or January 2025, we are accepting some online English language tests as alternatives to UKVI-approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTS).

  • Duolingo
  • IELTS indicator
  • Language Cert online
  • TOEFL IBT (at home)

You will need to achieve the equivalent IELTS level needed for your course.

Open days

Register for an open day event and find out what Sheffield Hallam has to offer.

View open days

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