English Language Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level: see the information below.

If your qualifications are below the requirements, the University's Language Centre offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.

If your qualifications are not listed here, please contact the Recruitment and International Office. If you require a Tier 4 visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UKBA: see Links.

Glasgow International College offers Foundation courses to upgrade your academic qualifications. A Pre-sessional English course is available if your English level does not meet the College's own entry requirements.

General English language requirements

• IELTS 6.5 (with no subtest less than 6)
• ibTOEFL 92 (with no subtest less than 20)
• Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - B minimum or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) - C minimum
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE minimum score of 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests 
• The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of satisfactory language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses and other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses (see Links).

School of Law, School of Humanities and MLitt Playwriting and Dramaturgy (in the School of Culture and Creative Arts)

• IELTS 6.5 (with no subtest less than 6.5); MML: IELTS 7.5 (with no subtest less than 7.0)
• ibTOEFL 92 (with no subtest less than 24)
• Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - B minimum
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE minimum score of 68 with minimum 60 in writing

School of Critical Studies, School of Culture and Creative Arts* and School of Modern Languages and Cultures (College of Arts)

• IELTS 7.0 (with no subtest less than 7.0)
• ibTOEFL 100 (with no subtest less than 24)
• Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - A minimum or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE minimum score of 68 with minimum 60 in writing

* Exceptions in the School of Culture and Creative Arts: The following courses require IELTS 6.5 (with no subtest less than 6):

• Art History: Art: Politics: Transgression: 20th-Century Avant-Gardes
• Art History: History of Collecting & Collections
• Art History: Dress & Textile Histories
• Art History: Mackintosh, Glasgow & International Art Nouveau
• Art History: Making & Meaning: Approaches in Technical Art History
• Textile Conservation
• Media Management

Visa Requirements & Proof of English Language Level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements. For further information about English language qualifications, please see the Links on the right hand side of the page or contact the Language Centre (see Links).