English language requirements
English language entry requirements depend on when you wish to start, with lower requirements for earlier entry. Below are the IELTS requirements for the IFP September and January start dates.
There is also information about alternative language tests that we accept. Some of these are Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) required for a Tier 4 visa for studying in the UK and some are non-SELTS, which enable you to study on the Online IFP.
IELTS requirements for IFP - September Start
IELTS requirements for IFP - January Start
Secure English Language Tests (SELTS) accepted for a Tier 4 visa
Non - Secure English Language Tests (SELTS) accepted for the Online IFP
What can I do if my English is not good enough?
International Foundation Programme - September Start
For students starting the International Foundation Programme in September, depending on your intended degree programme, we require the following IELTS levels
|
Intended Degree Programme |
IELTS |
|
Science / Life Science programmes except MSci Speech and Language Therapy |
5.0 (no skill below 4.5) |
|
LLB Law; Economics degrees Politics degrees |
5.5 (no skill below 4.5) |
|
Arts and Humanities degrees (BA History, Philosophy, Classics) |
6.0 (no skill below 5.0) |
|
MSci Speech & Language Therapy
|
6.5 (no skill below 5.5) |
International Foundation Programme - January Start
For students starting the International Foundation Programme in January 2021 we require IELTS 5.5 with no skill below 4.5.
Secure English Language Tests (SELTS) accepted for a Tier 4 visa
To study on campus in the UK at the University of Reading you will need a Tier 4 visa and this requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT). The most common SELT is a UKVI IELTS tests. Other SELTS are:
LanguageCert International ESOL
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) UKVI
Pearson PTE (Academic) UKVI
The English Language entry requirements for the IFP require achieving the equivalent score in the above tests to the required IELTs scores above. You can check the equivalencies of the scores between the different tests in this online IFP English Language Requirements document.
Non-Secure English Language Tests accepted for Online Study
If you are studying on the Online IFP and are therefore not on campus, then you do not require a Tier 4 visa and a number of Non-Secure English Language Tests are accepted. These are:
IELTS non-UKVI
Duolingo English Test
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) non-UKVI
Pearson PTE (Academic) non-UKVI
Cambridge English/C1 Business Higher
Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)/2 Proficiency
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced
GCSE English Language (Grade C/4)
iGCSE English as second language (Grade B/6)
ETS TOEFL
The English Language entry requirements for the IFP require achieving the equivalent score in the above tests to the required IELTs scores above. You can check the equivalencies of the scores between the different tests in this online document.
If you begin studying Online and later change to studying on campus in the UK, you will need to take a Secure English Language Test before receiving a Tier 4 VISA from the University.
What can I do if my English is not good enough?
If your academic qualifications meet our entry requirements but your English is below the standards described above, we may make you a conditional offer.
We might require you to attend a Pre-sessional English course. The amount of time it will take to reach the required level for entry to an International Foundation Programme will depend on your current English language level. At the end of the Pre-sessional course you will be assessed using TEEP (an integrated skills exam); you will not have to take another external exam such as IELTS.
Find out more about the Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP) - ISLI.