English language entry requirements
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
2020 entry
These English language entry requirements also apply to degrees starting in 2020.
Degree requirements
English language requirements vary between degrees.
Find the specific requirements for your chosen degree in our degree finder.
Unless a higher level is specified in the published entry requirements in our degree finder, you will need a pass in English at the following grades or higher:
- National 5 at C
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 at A
- SQA Intermediate 2 at C
- GCSE/IGCSE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate at C
- IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)
Accepted qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international English qualifications and English language tests.
The qualifications we accept meet both our English language proficiency requirements and the minimum standards for Tier 4 visas.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or LanguageCert International ESOL in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Two year expiry
| IELTS | International English Language Testing System (taken at any IELTS test centre) |
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TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) |
Internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language Test English requirements must be met in a single test. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Trinity ISE | Trinity Integrated Skills in English |
| LanguageCert International ESOL |
Please see our detailed information on LanguageCert International ESOL entry requirements. |
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Three and a half year expiry
| AP English | English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition |
| AS or A Level English | English Language; English Language and Literature; and English Literature |
| Austria: Matura/Reifeprufung | English at 2 (gut) in both written and oral exams |
| Botswana GCSE English (BGCSE) | |
| CAE | Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English |
| CPE | Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English |
| Cambridge Pre-U English | Literature in English (Principal) |
| Canadian Secondary/High School Diploma |
Grade 12 - English Language Arts/English The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is only accepted if awarded by an Ontario Secondary School and not if taken online. |
| Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate English A plus English B | |
| Certificate of Nile International Secondary Level 1 English | |
| Denmark: Studentereksamen | English A or English B at 7 |
| European Baccalaureate |
Either:
|
| Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto/ Studentexamen | Grade M / 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) |
| France: French Baccalaureate General (2021 entry onwards) | English LV1 – 14 |
| Gatehouse ESOL International (Classic) | Level 2 or Level 3 |
| General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) English Language | GCSE English Language. |
| GCSE English Literature is not accepted. | |
| Germany: Abitur | English at 12 (Gut) when taken as a Hauptfach / Leistungskurs / Kur smit erhohtem Anforderungsniveau |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) | English Language |
| International Baccalaureate English | Standard or Higher Level, (ab initio or Literature and Performance are not accepted) |
| International General Certificate of Secondary Education (iGCSE) English grade C/4 | All First or Second Language iGCSE English qualifications are accepted. |
| iGCSE English literature qualifications are not accepted. | |
| Indian CBSE or CISCE, Class XII English | |
| Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate | Grade O4 or H4 |
| Malaysian SPM English plus Cambridge GCE O Level English 1119 | |
| Netherlands: VWO Diploma | Grade 7 |
| Norway: Vitnemål fra den Videregaende Skole | Core English Grade 4 |
| O Level English Language | From the following countries: Botswana; Brunei; Cameroon; Mauritius; Pakistan; Rwanda; Singapore; Zimbabwe |
| Option International du Baccalaureat (British/American version) | English Language and Literature |
| Poland: Matura | 70% at Extended Level in both written and oral exams |
| Singapore Cambridge GCE A levels | Higher 1, Higher 2, or Higher 3 English in Literature, or Higher 2 English Language and Linguistics |
| Singapore Integrated Programme / NUS High School Diploma | Secondary 4 English or Language Arts |
| South African National Senior Certificate English | Home/First Language |
| SQA National 5 English | National 5 English and National 5 ESOL are accepted. |
| SQA Higher English | Higher English and Higher ESOL are accepted. |
| Sweden: Slutbetyg/Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan – English | English 7 at Grade C (VG) |
| Uganda Certificate of Education | English |
Foundation English for Academic Purposes
We also accept satisfactory completion of all Foundation English for Academic Purposes (FEAP) modules in our International Foundation Programme in Arts, Humanities and Social Science as meeting our English language requirements.
Certificates
We will need to verify your qualifications and/or test results. If your certificates are not in English you will also need to submit a certified translation.
Students who require a visa to study in the UK
In addition to our English language proficiency requirements, the UK Home Office sets its own minimum standards for applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK. Our English language entry requirements are set at a level that will also meet the English language proficiency requirements of the UK Home Office.
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, the English qualification that you use for admission to an undergraduate degree must be included in our list of accepted qualifications, unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
UKVI majority English speaking countries
English Language Education / International Foundation Programme
If you are interested in our English language programmes as preparation for degree entry, or our International Foundation Programme in Arts, Humanities and Social Science you must have an IELTS for UKVI test from a UKVI-approved test centre.
International Foundation Programme in Arts, Humanities and Social Science
English language courses
If you do not have the English grades we require for entry, you can improve your language skills through our range of English courses.
English language courses at Edinburgh
