English Language Requirements

IELTS Requirements

  IELTS (SELT or Non-SELT) or IELTS Indicator(tests taken from 1st July 2020 onwards)
Bangor Business School 6.0 (5.5)
Biological Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Computer Science 6.0 (5.5)
Creative Studies & Media 6.0 (5.5)
Education 6.0 (5.5)
- QTS programmes 7.0 (6.5)
Electronic Engineering 6.0 (5.5)

English Literature / Creative Writing
*some combined subjects may only require 6.0 (5.5)

6.5 (6.0)*
Environment, Natural Resources & Geography 6.0 (5.5)
Healthcare Sciences  
- BN Nursing BM Midwifery 7.0 (7.0)
- BSc Radiography  7.0 (6.5)
History, Welsh History & Archaeology 6.0 (5.5)
Law 6.5 (6.0)
LLB Law with Professional English 6.0 (5.5)
Linguistics & English Language 6.0 (5.5)
Medical Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Modern Languages 6.0 (5.5)
Music 6.0 (5.5)
Ocean Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Philosophy and Religion 6.5 (6.0)
Psychology 6.0 (5.5)
Social Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Sport, Health & Exercise Science 6.0 (5.5)
Welsh 6.0 (5.5)
  IELTS (SELT or Non-SELT) or IELTS Indicator (tests taken from 1st July 2020 onwards)
Bangor Business School 6.0 (5.5)
Biological Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Computer Science 6.0 (5.5)
Creative Studies & Media

 

6.0 (5.5)
Education  
- QTS courses 6.5 (6.0)
- Non QTS courses 6.0 (5.5)
- PGCE course 7.0(6.5)
MA Education  6.5 (6.0)
Electronic Engineering 6.0 (5.5)
- MSc Nanotechnology and Microfabrication 6.5 (6.0)
English Literature 6.5 (6.0)
Environment, Natural Resources & Geography 6.0 (5.5)
- MSc Distance Learning 6.5 (6.0)
Healthcare Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Nursing & Midwifery 6.0 (5.5)
History, Welsh History & Archaeology 6.0 (5.5)
Law 6.5 (6.0)
Linguistics & English Language 6.0 (5.5)
MA Applied Linguistics for TEFL 6.5 (6.0)
Medical Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
- MSc Genomics and Precision Medicine 6.0 (5.5)
Modern Languages 6.0 (5.5)
MA Translation Studies 6.5 (6.0)
Music 6.0 (5.5)
Ocean Sciences  
- MSc Marine Biology 6.5 (6.0)
- MSc Marine Environmental Protection 6.5 (6.0)
- MSc Applied Marine Geoscience 6.0(5.5)
- MSc Physical Oceanography 6.0 (5.5)
Psychology 6.0 (5.5)
- MSc Psychological Research 6.5 (6.0)
- MSc Neuroimaging 6.5 (6.0)
- MRes 6.5 (6.0)
Social Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
MA Criminology and Law 6.5 (6.0)
Sport, Health & Exercise Science 6.0 (5.5)
Welsh 6.0 (5.5)

 

  IELTS (SELT or Non-SELT) or IELTS Indicator (tests taken from 1st July 2020 onwards)
Bangor Business School 7.0 (6.5)
Biological Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Computer Science 6.0 (5.5)
Creative Studies & Media 7.0 (6.5)
- MRes 6.5 (6.0)
Education 6.5 (6.0)
Electronic Engineering 6.0 (5.5) (Writing 6.5)
English Literature 6.5 (6.0)
Environment, Natural Resources & Geography 6.5 (6.0)
Healthcare Sciences 7.0 (7.0)
History, Welsh History & Archaeology 6.0 (5.5)
Law 7.0 (6.5)
Linguistics & English Language 6.0 (5.5)
Medical Sciences 6.0 (5.5)
Modern Languages 6.5 (6.0)
Music 6.5 (6.0)
Ocean Sciences 6.5 (6.0)
Philosophy and Religion 7.0 (6.5)
Psychology 6.5 (6.0)
- MRes, Master by Research 6.5 (6.0)
- IMSCAR 7.0 (6.5)
Social Sciences 6.5 (6.0)
Sport, Health & Exercise Science 6.5 (6.0)
Welsh 6.0 (5.5)

Other Acceptable Evidence of English Language Proficiency

Bangor University English Language Test (BUELT) Score required for Degree Programs
 
The entry level required for study at Bangor will vary according to the course and level of study that you are applying for:

IELTS score required 

Equivalent BUELT score required 

6.0 (5.5) 

6.0 (5.5) 

6.5 (6.0) 

6.5 (6.0) 

7.0 (6.5) 

7.0 (6.5) 

For further information about the test and how to apply, please go to BUELT.
 
Score required for Pre-Sessional Programs
If you don’t satisfy the above scores required for direct entry onto our degree programs, you can consider joining one of our ELCOS Pre-sessional courses, the entry requirements for the ELCOS courses will vary according to the course you are applying for:

 

IELTS score required 

Equivalent BUELT score required 

4.5 (4.0)

4.5 (4.0)

5.0 (4.0)

5.0 (4.0)

5.5 (4.0)

5.5 (4.0)

For entry onto a Postgraduate course: Generally students who are nationals of a majority English-speaking country or have graduated from university in a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) will be exempt from IELTS requirements.

For entry onto an Undergraduate course: Students who are nationals of a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the UKVImay be exempt from IELTS requirements if they have scored a minimum of Grade C in English Language in IGCSE/O Level OR EQUIVALENT

Pearson PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online required for Degree Programs

PTE Academic is the computer-based English test which typically delivers results within 2 days. For more information, please click here

IELTS score required Equivalent Pearson (PTE) Academic score required
6.0 (5.5) 56 (51)
6.5 (6.0) 62 (58)
7.0 (6.5) 67 (62)

Pearson PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online required for Pre-Sessional Programs

If you don’t satisfy the above scores required for direct entry onto our degree programs, then you can consider joining one of our ELCOS Pre-sessional courses, the entry requirements for the ELCOS courses will vary according to the course you are applying for:

IELTS score required Equivalent Pearson (PTE) Academic score required
4.5  30 (30)
5.0 36 (30)
5.5 42 (36)

Bangor University recognises the Cambridge English test scores. The level required will vary according to the course and level of study that you are applying for;

IELTS score required 

Equivalent B2 First (formerly CEF) score required 

Equivalent CAE score required 

Equivalent CPE score required 

6.0 (5.5) 

168 

 

 

6.5 (6.0) 

175 

 

 

7.0 (6.5) 

180 

185 

CPE Certificate Holder

Bangor University recognises the ISE II and ISE III Language Tests. The level required will vary according to the course and level of study that you are applying for;

IELTS score required 

Equivalent ISE II score required 

Equivalent ISE III score required 

6.0 (5.5) 

‘Merit’ in 4 elements 

 

6.5 (6.0) 

‘Distinction’ in 4 elements 

‘Pass’ in 4 elements 

7.0 (6.5) 

 

‘Pass’ in 4 elements 

Please note: ‘Pass’ score in 4 elements of ISE II test will make you eligible for our 8-week presessional course.

Duolingo English Test – Online Test - acceptable for Pre-Sessional English only *

The entry requirements for the ELCOS Pre-Sessional English courses will vary according to the course you are applying for:

IELTS score required 

Minimum Equivalent Duolingo Score Required 

(4.5) (CEFR B1) 

65 (60)

(5.0) (CEFR B1)

75 (60)

(5.5) (CEFR B1) 85 (60)

*Please note: students can only attend the Pre-sessional course on a Short-Term Study Visa, and are NOT eligible for a CAS visa if providing Duolingo English Test result as evidence of English.

TOEFL iBT (TOEFL iBT taken at test centres and TOEFL iBT ‘at home’) Score required for Degree Programs

Bangor University recognises the TOEFL iBT (TOEFL iBT taken at test centres and TOEFL iBT ‘at home’) test scores. The level required will vary according to the course and level of study that you are applying for:

IELTS score required 

Equivalent TOEFL iBT score required

6.0 (5.5) 

75 overall 

(L-17, R-18, S-20, W-18)

6.5 (6.0) 

85 overall

(L-20, R-20, S-20,W-22)

TOEFL iBT (TOEFL iBT taken at test centres and TOEFL iBT ‘at home’) Score required for Pre-Sessional Programs                                                                                            

If you don’t satisfy the above scores required for direct entry onto our degree programs, then you can consider joining one of our ELCOS Pre-sessional courses, the entry requirements for the ELCOS courses will vary according to the course you are applying for:

IELTS score required 

Equivalent TOEFL iBT score required

4.5 

32 - 34 overall

5.0 

35 - 45 overall

5.5  46 - 59 overall

LanguageCert International ESOL (both Online and Paper based) Score required for Degree Programs

Bangor University recognises the LanguageCert International ESOL (both Online and Paper based) test scores. The level required will vary according to the course and level of study that you are applying for:


 

LanguageCert ESOL Exam

IELTS Score Required

Equivalent LanguageCert ESOL Score Required

Communicator

6.0 (5.5)

 

Pass 33-37 (25-32)

Communicator

6.5 (6.0) High Pass 38-50 (33-37)

If you don’t satisfy the above scores required for direct entry onto our degree programs, then you can consider joining one of our ELCOS Pre-sessional courses, the entry requirements for the ELCOS courses will vary according to the course you are applying for:

LanguageCert International ESOL (both Online and Paper based) Score required for Pre-Sessional Programs 

IELTS score required  

Equivalent LanguageCert ESOL score required 

5.5  

B1 Achiever Pass

Bangor University also recognises the TEM (Test for English Major) 4 and 8 certificate for the majority of our academic degree courses.

IELTS score required  

Equivalent CET China – Band 6 score required 

6.0 (5.5)  

550 plus BUELT speaking test 50%+ 

IELCA (International English Language Competency Assessment) Score required for Degree Programs 

Bangor University recognises the IELCA test scores. The level required will vary according to the course and level of study that you are applying for;

IELTS score required    Equivalent IELCA score required

6.0 (5.5)                           30 (30)

6.5 (6.0)                           35 (30)

7.0 (6.5)                           40 (35)

IELCA (International English Language Competency Assessment Course) Score required for Pre-Sessional Programs 

If you don’t satisfy the above scores required for direct entry onto our degree programs, then you can consider joining one of our ELCOS Pre-sessional courses, the entry requirements for the ELCOS courses will vary according to the course you are applying for:

IELTS score required     Equivalent IELCA score required

4.5                                     30 (20)

5.0                                     25 (20)

5.5                                     30 (25)

Bangor University recognises the Oxford International English Language Level test scores for exams taken in January 2021 and onwards.  Test results for exams taken before January 2021 will no longer be accepted.

Please note: Bangladesh test-takers must use the ELLT Global test provision (information below)

IELTS score required

Equivalent Oxford International English Language Level score required

6.0 (5.5)

6 overall (no element below 5)

6.5 (6.0)

7 (no element below 6)

You can register to take the test by clicking here.

As a Bangor University student/offer holder you are entitled to a £25 discount on the cost of the test. Please use the following discount code when you book the test: Bangor75

This £25 discount code will reduce the price of the test to £75.

Bangor University recognises the ELLT Global scores for exams taken at VFS Centres around the world.

IELTS score required Equivalent Oxford International English Language Level score required
6.0 (5.5) 6 overall (no element below 5)
6.5 (6.0) 7 (no element below 6)

You can register to take the test using the link below:

https://tests.oidigitalinstitute.com/register-partner/ellt-global/bangor-university-3228

Click here to read the student guide - ELLT Student Guide

As a Bangor University student/offer holder you are entitled to a £25 discount on the cost of the test.  Please use the following discount code when you book the test: Bangor75

The £25 discount will reduce the price of the test to £75.

KITE (Kaplan International Tools for English) Score Required for Degree Programmes

KITE (Kaplan International Tools for English) - an easy to access online English Language test that can be taken from home. Click here to register for the KITE test.

Click here to read the Student Guide - Kaplan International Tools for English Test

Bangor University students and offer holders are entitled to a £25 discount, reducing the price of a KITE test to £65.
 
KITE Certificates are issued within 5 working days of test completion.
 

IELTS Score Required Equivalent KITE Score Required
6.0 (5.5) 426 (396)
6.5 (6.0) 459 (426)
7.0 (6.5) 495 (459)

KITE Online scores required for Pre-Sessional English Programmes

If you don’t satisfy the above scores required for direct entry onto our degree programs, then you can consider joining one of our ELCOS Pre-sessional courses, the entry requirements for the ELCOS courses will vary according to the course you are applying for:

IELTS Score Required Equivalent KITE Score Required
4.5 311 (261)
5.0 357 (261)
5.5 396 (396 in Reading & Writing)


 

If you do not meet the English language requirement detailed above, we advise you to opt for a Pre-sessional course (refer section below for details) offered by Bangor University’s English Language Centre for Overseas Students (ELCOS). These courses enable students to reach the language level required for entry onto degree courses. A range of courses are available from intensive short courses to all-year-round study.

Pre-sessional courses

If you have not been able to achieve the English language level required for your chosen course, you may apply to undertake a Pre-sessional English course at Bangor University.

It looks like you’re visiting from outside the UK, would you like to be redirected to the international page?