To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for. We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

  • IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic Online
  • IELTS One Skill Retake
  • TOEFL and TOEFL iBT
  • Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital)
  • Pearson Academic (PTE)
  • Password Test (taken at NCUK centres only)
  • Language Cert International ESOL SELT
  • Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE)
  • Cambridge Advanced Test (CAE)
  • Cambridge Proficiency Test (CPE)

Please note - we do not accept any online versions of the qualifications listed above unless specified, and for tests which include multiple components (e.g. speaking, writing, reading, listening), these need to be taken within the same test; we are unable to accept if individual components have been taken separately. 

Tests must be taken within the last 2 years from the start date of the course you are applying to study at Aston University.

Check the tables below on this page to find out our required scores for a range of English language tests.

Important - these are the required scores for our September and January intakes. If your course starts in April, then please view our April English language requirements.

Main Entry IELTS Minimum Band Scores

Undergraduate (Bachelor Degrees)

School/ProgrammeReadingWritingListeningSpeakingOverall
Aston Medical School7.07.07.07.07.0
Aston Business SchoolTwo bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 and aboveTwo bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 and above--6.5
Engineering and Physical Sciences5.55.55.55.56.0
Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)6.06.06.06.06.5
Health and Life Sciences (Optometry)6.56.56.56.57.0
School of Social Sciences and Humanities5.55.55.55.56.0

* The above is applicable to students entering Years 1 and 2 of undergraduate programmes. Articulation into the Final year will vary depending on the degree programme and subject to the agreement with the partner.

** BSc Biochemistry, BSc Neuroscience, BSc Biology, and BSc Psychology programmes (all) will accept applications from candidates where one band is at 5.5 and the others at 6.0 and above.

 

Postgraduate Taught (Masters Programmes)
 

School / ProgrammeReadingWritingListeningSpeakingOverall
Aston Business School1 band at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above6.5
Aston Business School - MBA1 band at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above6.5
Engineering and Physical Sciences5.55.55.55.56.0
Engineering and Physical Sciences - Engineering Systems and Management Programmes6.06.06.06.06.5
Health and Life Sciences6.06.06.06.06.5
Health and Life Sciences - OSPAP7.07.07.07.07.0
School of Social Sciences and Humanities1 band at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above6.5

 

Postgraduate Research Programmes

School / ProgrammeReadingWritingListeningSpeakingOverall
Aston Business School6.56.56.06.06.5
Engineering and Physical Sciences6.06.06.06.06.5
Health and Life Sciences6.06.06.06.06.5
School of Social Sciences and Humanities6.56.56.06.06.5
Main Entry TOEFL Minimum Band Scores

Undergraduate (Bachelor Degrees)

School / Programme

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

Aston Medical School

26

28

26

23

101

 

Aston Business School

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

 

12

20

11

17

93

No more than 2 bands in red

18

23

19

19

 

 

* The above is applicable to students entering Years 1 and 2 of undergraduate programmes. Articulation into the Final year will vary depending on the degree programme and subject to the agreement with the partner.

Engineering and Physical Sciences

12

20

11

17

78

Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)

18

23

19

19

93

Health and Life Sciences – OSPAP

26

28

26

23

101

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

12

20

11

17

78

** BSc Biochemistry, BSc Neuroscience, BSc Biology, and BSc Psychology programmes (all) will accept applications from candidates where one band is at 5.5 and the others at 6.0 and above.

 

Postgraduate Taught (Masters Programmes)

Aston Business School

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

 

12

20

11

17

93

 

Only 1 band in red

18

23

19

19

 

 

 

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

Engineering and Physical Sciences

12

20

11

17

78

Engineering and Physical Sciences -
Engineering Systems and Management Programmes

18

23

19

19

93

Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)

18

23

19

19

93

Health and Life Sciences – OSPAP

26

28

26

23

101

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

 
1220111793

Only 1 band in red

18

23

19

19

 

Postgraduate Research Programmes

School / Programme

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

Aston Business School

22

26

19

19

93

Engineering and Physical Sciences

18

23

19

19

93

Health and Life Sciences

18

23

19

19

93

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

22

26

19

19

93

Main Entry Pearson Minimum Band Scores

Undergraduate (Bachelor Degrees)

 

 

 

 

 

School / Programme

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

Aston Medical School

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Aston Business School

Two bands at 59 and other bands at 64 and above

67

Engineering and Physical Sciences

59

59

59

59

64

Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)

64

64

64

64

67

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

59

59

59

59

64

 

* The above is applicable to students entering Years 1 and 2 of undergraduate programmes. Articulation into the Final year will vary depending on the degree programme and subject to the agreement with the partner.

** BSc Biochemistry, BSc Neuroscience, BSc Biology, and BSc Psychology programmes (all) will accept applications from candidates where one band is at 42 and the others at 50 and above.

 

Postgraduate Taught (Masters Programmes)

 

 

 

 

 

School / Programme

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

Aston Business School

1 band at 59 as a minimum. Other bands at 64 and above

67

Aston Business School – MBA

1 band at 59 as a minimum. Other bands at 64 and above

67

Engineering and Physical Sciences

59

59

59

59

64

Engineering and Physical Sciences - Engineering Systems and Management Programmes

64

64

64

64

67

Health and Life Sciences

64

64

64

64

67

Health and Life Sciences – OSPAP

76

76

76

76

76

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

1 band at 59 as a minimum. Other bands at 64 and above

67

 

 

 

Postgraduate Research Programmes

 

 

 

 

 

School / Programme

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Overall

Aston Business School

67

67

64

64

67

Engineering and Physical Sciences

64

64

64

64

67

Health and Life Sciences

64

64

64

64

67

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

67

67

64

64

67

Language Cert International ESOL SELT
Undergraduate
 
School/ProgrammeReading  WritingListening  Speaking  Overall  
Aston Medical School C1 33/50C1 33/50C1 33/50C1 33/50N/A
Aston Business SchoolB2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences B2 33/50B2 33/50B2 33/50B2 33/50N/A
College of Health and Life Sciences (excl. Aston Medical School)B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
School of Social Sciences and Humanities B2 33/50B2 33/50B2 33/50B2 33/50N/A

* The above is applicable to students entering Years 1 and 2 of undergraduate programmes. Articulation into the Final year will vary depending on the degree programme and subject to the agreement with the partner.

Postgraduate taught
 

School/ProgrammeReading  WritingListening  Speaking  Overall  
Aston Business School (incl. MBA)B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
College of Engineering and Physical SciencesB2 33/50B2 33/50B2 33/50B2 33/50N/A
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (Engineering Systems and Management programmes)B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
College of Health and Life SciencesB2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
College of Health and Life Sciences (OSPAP only)C1 33/50C1 33/50C1 33/50C1 33/50N/A
School of Social Sciences and HumanitiesB2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A


Postgraduate research
 
School/ProgrammeReading  WritingListening  Speaking  Overall  
Aston Business School B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 33/50B2 33/50N/A
College of Engineering and Physical SciencesB2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
College of Health and Life SciencesB2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
School of Social Sciences and HumanitiesB2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50B2 39/50N/A
KITE - Kaplan International Tools for English

Register for the KITE test

Please register here to take the test

Undergraduate (Bachelor degrees)

School/programmeReadingWritingListeningSpeakingOverall
Aston Medical School495-526495-526495-526495-526495-526
*Aston Business SchoolTwo bands at 396-425Two bands at minimum 426-458--459-494
Engineering and Physical Sciences396-425396-425396-425396-425426-458
Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)426-458426-458426-458426-458459-494
Health and Life Sciences (Optometry)459-494459-494459-494459-494495-526
School of Social Sciences and Humanities396-425396-425396-425396-425426-458

Postgraduate Taught (Masters programmes)

Please note: KITE test is not accepted for postgraduate research 

School/ProgrammeReadingWritingListeningSpeakingOverall
*Aston Business SchoolOne band at 396-425 and other bands at minimum 426-458---459-494
*Aston Business School MBAOne band at 396-425 and other bands at minimum 426-458---459-494
Engineering and Physical Sciences396-425396-425396-425396-425426-458
Engineering and Physical Sciences - Engineering Systems and Management Programmes426-458426-458426-458426-458459-494
Health and Life Sciences426-458426-458426-458426-458459-494
Health and Life Sciences - OSPAP495-526495-526495-526495-526495-526
*School of Social Sciences and HumanitiesOne band at 396-425 and other bands at---459-594
Oxford ELLT test

Register for the Oxford ELLT test

Please register here to take the Oxford ELLT Digital test.

You can use our discount code at check out: AST25 (Oxford ELLT Digital test only)

Please use this link to take the Oxford ELLT Global test

Undergraduate (Bachelor degrees)

School/programmeReadingWritingListeningSpeakingOverall
*Aston Business SchoolTwo bands at 5 and other bands at 67
Engineering and Physical Sciences55556
Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)66667
Health and Life Sciences (Optometry)77778
School of Social Sciences and Humanities55556

Postgraduate Taught (Masters programmes)

Please note: Oxford ELLT test is not accepted for postgraduate research programmes

School/ProgrammeReadingWritingListeningSpeakingOverall
*Aston Business SchoolOne band at 5 and other bands at minimum 67
*Aston Business School MBAOne band at 5 and other bands at minimum 67
Engineering and Physical Sciences55556
Engineering and Physical Sciences - Engineering Systems and Management Programmes66667
Health and Life Sciences66667
Health and Life Sciences - OSPAP88888
*School of Social Sciences and HumanitiesOne band at 5 and other bands at 66

New accordion content

 

If you meet any of the criteria below, then you may not need to provide an English language qualification: 

Graduated from a UK university?

If you studied for a minimum period of one year in the UK and achieved at least a 2:2 within the last two years then we will consider you to have met Aston’s English language requirements for Postgraduate study.

National of a majority English Speaking Country

If you have one of the following nationalities and you hold a degree level qualification or a University approved A level equivalent qualification from one of these countries then you will be exempt from the English Language requirements:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago United States of America.

Academic qualification equivalent to a UK Degree - Taught in majority English Speaking Country

If you have a qualification from overseas and it is deemed to be equivalent to a UK degree. The degree must have been taught in one of the following majority English speaking countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America.

You must have graduated within the last two years.

Students will also have to provide provide official documentation produced by UK NARIC which confirms the evaluation that the overseas academic qualification is equivalent to a UK degree (does not include professional or vocational qualifications).

Exemptions for undergraduate applicants

If you have studied or are studying recognised qualifications in English, such as GCSE English or IB, an IELTS qualification is not required provided you meet our minimum requirements.

Unfortunately, this does not apply to any courses below degree level.

We accept GCSE grades - the requirements vary per course and they are listed on each course webpage.

If you have studied the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, we accept either a Standard or a Higher Level English Language or Literature. For courses which typically require 6 or 6.5 in IELTS, we will ask for 4. For courses which require 7 in IELTS, we will ask for 5. You can check our IELTS requirements table above to check your course/college IELTS requirement which will inform the IB score that we require.  IB entry requirements are also specified on each course webpage. 
 

These don't apply to me

If you don't meet the above criteria you will need to meet our English language requirements as listed below.

For applicants whose English falls short of our minimum entry requirements we provide a range of Pre-sessional English Language programmes which aim to enable our applicants to reach our requisite levels of English and help them to become more confident about studying in English in the UK.

See pre-sessional dates and costs.

Which English Language test should I take?

    IELTS

    If you have been asked to provide evidence of an IELTS Academic test (not the IELTS General test) at a certain level, there are now two to choose from.

    A standard IELTS Academic test. IELTS Academic test from a UKVI approved test centre.

    The following applies to those who need a Student visa and have been made an offer based on an IELTS score:

    If you have a direct entry unconditional offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme, you can take any IELTS Academic test, whether from a UKVI approved centre or not. If you require a CAS for a single Pre-sessional course or have been made an unconditional offer for a Foundation year you must take your IELTS Academic test from a UKVI approved test centre. If you are not sure which to choose, we strongly recommend that you take the UKVI approved test. If you have any further questions, please contact the Visa Compliance Team or alternatively please contact the International Office.
    TOEFL

    We will only accept TOEFL for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes, and will be able to issue your CAS to support your overseas Student Visa application (if you hold a suitable level). However, we will not be able to accept TOEFL for programmes below degree level, including Foundation and pre-sessional programmes.

    If you have been made an offer for direct entry on to an undergraduate or postgraduate programme, then we will still accept a range of qualifications as evidence of your English Language ability, and you are NOT required to provide evidence of these for a Tier 4 visa application.