Acceptable English Language tests

This page contains a guide to the only acceptable English language tests that can be used to meet a condition of offer (normally made in terms of IELTS scores) made by the University of Reading.

If the test you are intending to take is not listed, please contact the Admissions Team for advice using the details on the right.

Please note that this information may change as rules on acceptability change so please do keep checking back.

Tests acceptable for entry onto a Pre-sessional English programme

Test provider	Test name
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
Cambridge	IELTS Indicator -only tests taken from 01 July 2020 onward (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency (currently acceptable for online PSE only) Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced (currently acceptable for online PSE only) Note: Name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards.
Duolingo	Duolingo English (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
ETS	TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
ETS	TOEFL at homeiBT (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
LanguageCert	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) (test needs to have been taken at a UKVI approved centre unless you are applying for online PSE)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) UKVI (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Trinity	Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)

Tests acceptable for entry onto The International Foundation Programme

Test provider	Test name
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Business English Higher (BEC Higher)/C1 Business Higher- For Business, Economics and Related programmes only. (currently only acceptable for the Online programme) Note: Name change to C1 Business Higher from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English:Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced (currently only acceptable for the Online programme) Note: name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency (currently only acceptable for the Online programme) Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI (currently only acceptable for the Online programme)
Cambridge	IELTS Indicator -only tests taken from 01 July 2020 onward (currently only acceptable for the Online programme)
ETS	TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) (currently only acceptable for the Online programme)
ETS	TOEFL at homeiBT (currently only acceptable for the Online programme)
LanguageCert International	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) (test needs to have been taken at a UKVIapproved centre)
Trinity	Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) (currently only acceptable for the Online programme)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) UKVI (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
ONCAMPUS	ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE)(currently only acceptable for the Online programme)
Various	GCE English O level (from Cambridge Examinations) (currently only acceptable for the Online programme)
Various	GCSE English (only if awarded by an Ofqual regulated awarding body and you have spent time studying at a UK school under the age of 18. Or for the Online Social Science pathway programme)

Tests acceptable for entry onto an Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research programme

Test provider	Test name
BGCS	Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Business English Higher (BEC Higher)/C1 Business Higher - For Business, Economics and Related programmes only. Note: Name change to C1 Business Higher from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced Note: Name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English:Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	GCE O Level English Language 1119 Malaysia (Up to 2020)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT
Cambridge	IELTS Indicator -only tests taken from 01 July 2020 onward
CBSE/ ICSE/ State boards	Indian Standard XII English (English Core/ English Elective/ Functional English)
CSE	National Examinations Council of Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (or Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Duolingo	Duolingo English Note: Not acceptable for Speech & Language Therapy programmes
ETS	TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769)
ETS	TOEFL at home iBT
French Ministry for National Education	Baccalauréat(only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
Germany	Abitur(only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
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)
International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)	International Baccalaureate Diploma(only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
KCSE	Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
LanguageCert	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B2 level or above) (SELT and Online versions)
Malawi SCE	Malawi School Certificate of Education
Mauritius (awarded by Cambridge)	Mauritian School Certificate in English (awarded by Cambridge)
NECO	Senior School Certificate
National Examinations Council of Tanzania	Certificate of Secondary Education/ Secondary School Leaving Certificate
ONCAMPUS	ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE)(only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme or one of the named PGT Pre-masters pathway degrees)
Pearson	PTE (Academic)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) UKVI
South Africa	National Senior Certificate/ Senior Certificate
Swaziland GCSE	Swaziland General Certificate of Secondary Education
Trinity	Integrated Skills in English (ISE)II, III, IV
UCE	Uganda Certificate of Education
University of Reading	Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP)
Various	GCE English O level (from Cambridge Examinations)
Various	GCSE English
Various	IGCSE English as a first language.
Various	IGCSE English as a Second language(grade B minimum).
WAEC (verified)	Year 12 certificate in English (only verified WAECs are accepted)
Zambia	School Certificate/ General Certificate of Education
Zimbabwe	GCE O level

My offer asks for an overall score of 7.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 7.0 with no element less than 6.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 7.0 with no element less than 6.0 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 6.5 with no element less than 6.0 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 6.5 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 5.5 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 5.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 5.0 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 4.5 in IELTS

Acceptable English Language tests

Tests acceptable for entry onto a Pre-sessional English programme

Tests acceptable for entry onto The International Foundation Programme

Tests acceptable for entry onto an Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research programme

International Foundation Programme

Undergraduate Programmes(full- and part-time)

Postgraduate (taught and research) Programmes

PGCE Programmes

Pre-sessional English Language Programmes