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

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 *

*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.

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)

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

*For January 2024 only

Bangor University recognises the Pearson PTE Academic (Pearson PTE Academic taken at test centres). The level required will vary according to the course and level of study that you are applying for:

IELTS score required 

Equivalent Pearson PTE Academic score required

5.5 (5.5)  

51 (42)

6.0 (5.5)               

56 (51)
6.5 (6.0) 62 (58)
7.0 (6.5) 72 (67)

Pearson PTE Academic (taken at test centres). Score required for Pre-sessional Programmes.
If you don't satisfy the above scores required for direct entry onto our degree programmes, you can consider joining 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

5.0        

36
5.5 42

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)

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) 458 (425)
6.5 (6.0) 494 (458)
7.0 (6.5) 510 (494)

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
4.5 350 (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.

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