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 |
|
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI |
|
Cambridge |
IELTS Indicator -only tests taken from 01 July 2020 onward |
|
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards. |
|
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced Note: Name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards. |
|
Duolingo |
Duolingo English |
|
ETS |
TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) |
|
ETS |
TOEFL at homeiBT |
|
LanguageCert |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) |
|
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) |
|
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) UKVI |
|
Trinity |
Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III |
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. 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 |
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT |
|
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI |
|
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) |
|
ETS |
TOEFL at homeiBT |
|
LanguageCert International |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) |
|
Trinity |
Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III |
|
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) |
|
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) UKVI |
|
ONCAMPUS |
ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE)(currently only acceptable for the Online programme) |
|
Various |
GCE English O level |
|
Various |
GCSE English |
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) |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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
University of Reading Pre-sessional English language course half-band credit
As a University of Reading offer-holder, when you study on one of our Pre-sessional English language courses, you may be entitled to a half-band credit towards your required English language score. Please note that this does not apply to applicants for programmes in Linguistics/ Applied Linguistics/Speech and Language Therapy/ the MA in Education or a number of programmes within the Henley Business School. To apply for one of these Pre-sessional courses please email the Pre-Sessional Admissions team using the address above.