Postgraduate study

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

For applicants from non-majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

Accepted English Language Tests

We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme.  Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of the University of Glasgow programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.

IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic for UKVI/ IELTS Academic online

  • 6.5 overall with Writing at 6.5 no other subtest less than 6.0; OR 6.5 overall with Writing at 6.0 and no other subtest less than 6.5
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • We do not accept General Training 

TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and Home Edition)

Test taken up to 20 January 2026
  • 90 overall and no subtest less than Writing, 24, Listening 19, Speaking 19, Reading 20; OR 90 overall with Writing 21 and all other subtests no lower than 23
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
  • 92 overall with Writing at 5 and no other subtest less than 4.5; OR 92 overall with Writing, Reading and Speaking at 4.5 and Listening no less than 5

PTE Academic (test centre only)

  • 65 overall with Writing at 68 and no other subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; OR 65 overall with Writing at 60 and no other subtest less than Reading 62; Listening 62 and Speaking 75
  • We do not accept the online PTE Academic 

Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency

  • 176 overall with no subtest less than 169

Oxford ELLT

  • 7 overall with any two subtests at 7 and any two subtests at 6

LanguageCert Academic/Academic SELT/ Academic Online

  • 70 overall with Writing at 70 and no other subtest less than 65; OR 70 overall with Writing at 65 and no other subtest less than 70 

Password Skills Plus

  • 6.5 overall with Writing at 6.5 no other subtest less than 6.0; OR 6.5 overall with Writing at 6.0 and no other subtest less than 6.5 

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

  • 96 overall with Writing at 96 and no other subtest less than 90; OR 96 overall with Writing at 90 and no other subtest less than 96

Kaplan Test of English

  • Writing at 480 with no other subtest less than 450; OR Writing at 450 with no other subtest less than 480

PSI Skills for English

  • B2 Pass with Merit

Duolingo English Test

  • 120 overall with Writing at 130 and no other subtest less than 110; OR 120 overall with Writing at 110 and no other subtest less than 120

Oxford Test of English Advanced

  • 140 overall with Writing at 136 and no other subtest less than 126; OR 140 overall with Writing at 126 and no other subtest less than 136

Alternatives to English Language test

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)

  • students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.

TNE degree from UK university taught at a campus outside of the UK

  • students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study and remain valid for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Our courses give you:

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see: gla.ac.uk/schools/mlc/eas/pre-sessionalcourses/

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • St Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham.