Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Local Community
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Study and life
  • Research
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International students
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Our global community
    • Business
    • Local community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
  • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Student
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Local Community
  • Schools and departments
  • Henley Business School
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • View courses
  • Study
    • Offer holders
    • Foundation programmes
    • Undergraduate study
    • Integrated master's degrees
    • Postgraduate study
    • Postgraduate research
    • Online courses
    • Student support
    • Fees and funding
    • How to apply
    • Terms and conditions
  • Student life
    • Campuses and facilities
    • Student activities
    • Reading town centre
    • Reading Students' Union
  • Accommodation
    • Locations
    • Room types
    • How to apply
    • Meal Plans
    • Accessible accommodation
    • Important information
  • Open Days and visiting
    • Campus tours
    • Undergraduate Open Days
    • Virtual events
    • Postgraduate events
    • Self-guided tours
    • Subject tasters
    • Activities for schools
    • Undergraduate Offer Holder Days
  • International students
    • English language requirements
    • Our in-country representatives
    • International scholarships
    • Meet us in your country
  • International students
    • English language requirements
    • Our in-country representatives
    • International scholarships
    • Meet us in your country

English language requirements

English language requirements


The English language levels generally required for our courses are outlined in the tables on this page. You can also find out more information about our pre-sessional English programme.

Please remember that we can help you if you do not yet meet these levels. When you apply, please let us know your current level of English (through your most recent IELTS or equivalent score) and we will advise you on the best route to starting a degree with us.

Requirements for arts and humanities courses

Find out more about the English language requirements for our arts and humanities degrees.
Qualification Short name Score
University of Reading pre-sessional course Pass or High pass depending on course applied for.
International English Language Testing System IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with min. 6.0 in each component
International English Language Testing System IELTS Indicator 7.0 overall with min. 6.0 in each component
Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-based version) TOEFL (iBT) 100
Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT special at Home version) TOEFL (iBT at Home) 100
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English/Cambridge English: Proficiency Cambridge CPE/C2 Proficiency Grade C or a score of 185
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English/Cambridge English: Advanced Cambridge CAE/C1 Advanced Grade A or a score of 185
General Certificate of Education: Ordinary Level O level B
Cambridge IGCSE First or Second Language IGCSE B
India Standard XII English - Central Board of Secondary Education/Indian Certificate of Secondary Education CBSE/ICSE 80%; all other boards 85%
LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert High pass overall with no element less than 33
The Pearson Test of English Academic PTE (Academic) 76 overall with min. 64 in each component
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education HKDSE A score of 4 or 5* in English depending on programme applied for (only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
Duolingo Duolingo  Overall score of 135 with no sub score less than 105, OR
Overall score of 130 with no sub score less than 105 plus 6 week Online Pre-sessional English course, OR
Overall score of 125 with no sub score less than 100 plus 10 week Online Pre-sessional English course.
West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE B
Read more

Requirements for business, sciences, and law courses

Find out more about the English language requirements for degrees in the sciences, including social and life sciences, as well as Henley Business School and the School of Law.

Qualification Short name Score
University of Reading pre-sessional course Pass or High pass depending on course applied for.
International English Language Testing System IELTS (Academic) 6.5
International English Language Testing System IELTS Indicator 6.5
Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-based version) TOEFL (iBT) 88
Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT special at Home version) TOEFL (iBT at Home) 88
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English/Cambridge English: Proficiency Cambridge CPE/C2 Proficiency C/176
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English/Cambridge English: Advanced Cambridge CAE/C1 Advanced B/176
General Certificate of Education: Ordinary Level O level C
Cambridge IGCSE First or Second Language IGCSE First language: C
Second language: B
India Standard XII English - Central Board of Secondary Education/Indian Certificate of Secondary Education CBSE/ICSE 70%; all other boards 75%
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Certificate High pass overall with no element less than 33
The Pearson Test of English Academic PTE (Academic) 69 overall with min. 59 in each component/69 overall with min. 64 in each component.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education HKDSE A score of 4 or 5* in English depending on programme applied for (only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
Duolingo Duolingo Overall score of 125 with no sub score less than 100, OR
Overall score of 120 with no sub score less than 100 plus 6 week Online Pre-sessional English course, OR
Overall score of 115 with no sub score less than 90 plus 10 week Online Pre-sessional English course
West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE C

For Speech and Language Therapy, an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 8.0 overall, with no less than 7.5 in each component, is required.

Read more

Pre-sessional English programme

Information and entry requirements

Our pre-sessional English programme is run by our International Study and Language Institute (ISLI) and provides ideal preparation for academic study.

Our table on this page provides a guide as to the length of study that may be required to achieve the English language score required to undertake one of our degree courses. 

You can also visit our pre-sessional English programme page for more information.

Your TEEP/IELTS level now Your target TEEPS/IELTS for degree course Suggested length of study
4.0 7.0 50 weeks
4.0 6.5 30-40 weeks
4.5 7.0 30-40 weeks
4.5 6.5 20-30 weeks
5.0 7.0 20-30 weeks
5.0 6.5 11-20 weeks
5.5 7.0 11-20 weeks
5.5 6.5 8-11 weeks
6.0 7.0 8-11 weeks
6.0 6.5 6-8 weeks
6.5 7.0 6-8 weeks
Find out more
mask
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2025/26
2026/27
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Dietetics
  • Digital Business
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.

  • Charitable Status
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading