English Language Requirements

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 aim 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 Test of English (KTE)
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 to find out our required scores for a range of English language tests.

Main Entry IELTS Minimum Band Scores (Undergraduate)

Undergraduate (Bachelor Degrees)

School/Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Aston Medical School	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
Aston Business School	Two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 and above	Two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 and above	-	-	6.5
Engineering and Physical Sciences	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	6.0
Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.5
Health and Life Sciences (Optometry)	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	7.0
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	6.0

* 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.

Main Entry IELTS Minimum Band Scores (Postgraduate)

Postgraduate courses

School / Programme	Reading	Overall
Aston Business School	1 band at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above	6.5
Aston Business School - MBA	1 band at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above	6.5
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	1 band at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above	6.5

School / Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Engineering and Physical Sciences	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	6.0
Engineering and Physical Sciences (Engineering Systems and Management programmes)	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.5
Health and Life Sciences	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.5
Health and Life Sciences - OSPAP	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0

You may be accepted with a lower IELTS score (see table below) - if your IELTS score meets the minimum criteria below you will be required to take a mandatory in-sessional English module during your course.

Postgraduate courses (minimum IELTS scores for which mandatory in-sessional English course is required)

For the courses within the categories below, you may be required to take an in-sessional English module depending on the IELTS scores you have achieved:

School / Programme	Reading	Overall
Aston Business School	No more than 2 bands at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above	6.0*
Engineering and Physical Sciences - Engineering Systems and Management programmes	No more than 2 bands at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above	6.0*
Master of Public Health (MPH)	No more than 2 bands at 5.5 as a minimum. Other bands at 6.0 and above	6.0*

* Important - Students with an overall 6.0, with no more than two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 or above are required to take and pass the English for Postgraduate Studies in-sessional English module. Our in-sessional English programme is a module which will help you to improve your English and learn essential academic skills during your first term.

Students with overall 6.5, with no more than two bands at 6.0 and other bands at 6.5 or above are not required to take our in-sessional English module.

More about the In-sessional English module

Aston University is committed to ensuring that every student is fully prepared to take on the challenges of their Master's degree. As such, please note that if you achieve IELTS overall 6.0 (with no more than two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 or above) or an equivalent acceptable English Language Qualification you will be required to undertake a mandatory timetabled in-sessional English programme to be delivered by Aston University’s Centre for English Language and Communication. Further details will be provided after the enrolment process including timetable and classes you will be required to attend. This is provided at no additional cost.

Main Entry IELTS Minimum Band Scores (Postgraduate Research)

Postgraduate Research Programmes

School / Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Aston Business School	6.5	6.5	6.0	6.0	6.5
Engineering and Physical Sciences	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.5
Health and Life Sciences	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.5
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	6.5	6.5	6.0	6.0	6.5

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

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
12	20	11	17	93	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

School / Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Undergraduate (Bachelor Degrees)
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/Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Aston Medical School	C1 33/50	C1 33/50	C1 33/50	C1 33/50	N/A
Aston Business School	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	N/A
College of Health and Life Sciences (excl. Aston Medical School)	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	N/A

School/Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Aston Business School (incl. MBA)	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	N/A
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (Engineering Systems and Management programmes)	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A
College of Health and Life Sciences	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A
College of Health and Life Sciences (OSPAP only)	C1 33/50	C1 33/50	C1 33/50	C1 33/50	N/A
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A

Postgraduate research

School/Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Aston Business School	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 33/50	B2 33/50	N/A
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A
College of Health and Life Sciences	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	B2 39/50	N/A

KTE - Kaplan Test of English

Register for the KTE test

Please register here to take the test.

Aston University applicants can claim a 25% discount by using this code - ASTOKRS65

Undergraduate (Bachelor degrees)

School/programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
Aston Medical School	510	510	510	510	510
*Aston Business School	2 skills at 444 & 2 skills at 410 minimum.	2 skills at 444 & 2 skills at 410 minimum.	-	-	478
Engineering and Physical Sciences	410	410	410	410	444
Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)	444	444	444	444	478
Health and Life Sciences (Optometry)	478	478	478	478	510
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	410	410	410	410	444

Postgraduate Taught (Masters programmes)

Please note: KTE test is not accepted for postgraduate research

School/Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
*Aston Business School inc. MBA	1 band at 410. Other bands at 444 or above	-	-	-	478
Engineering and Physical Sciences	410	410	410	410	444
Engineering and Physical Sciences - Engineering Systems and Management Programmes	444	444	444	444	478
Health and Life Sciences	444	444	444	444	478
Health and Life Sciences - OSPAP	510	510	510	510	510
*School of Social Sciences and Humanities	1 band at 410. Other bands at 444 or above	-	-	-	478

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/programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
*Aston Business School	Two bands at 5 and other bands at 6				7
Engineering and Physical Sciences	5	5	5	5	6
Health and Life Sciences (except Aston Medical School)	6	6	6	6	7
Health and Life Sciences (Optometry)	7	7	7	7	8
School of Social Sciences and Humanities	5	5	5	5	6

Postgraduate Taught (Masters programmes)

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

School/Programme	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking	Overall
*Aston Business School	One band at 5 and other bands at minimum 6				7
*Aston Business School MBA	One band at 5 and other bands at minimum 6				7
Engineering and Physical Sciences	5	5	5	5	6
Engineering and Physical Sciences - Engineering Systems and Management Programmes	6	6	6	6	7
Health and Life Sciences	6	6	6	6	7
Health and Life Sciences - OSPAP	8	8	8	8	8
*School of Social Sciences and Humanities	One band at 5 and other bands at 6				6

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

National of a majority English Speaking Country

There is no time limit. 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 then you will be exempt from the English Language requirements (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 five 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).

UK or Australian degree-level qualifications taught outside of the UK or Australia

We accept a UK or Australian academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree taught outside of the UK or Australia in lieu of the English Language entry requirement. You must have graduated in the last five years.

Graduated with a degree wholly taught in English?

Degrees taught in English

If you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal or Sri Lanka and can provide an official Degree transcript stating that the course has wholly been delivered in English and the assessment wholly conducted and delivered in English, or a letter on a headed paper from the awarding institution stating that the course and the assessments were wholly delivered in English in addition to provide one of the qualifications with the specified grades below, you do not need to provide additional English language qualifications, such as IELTS or other tests

CBSE/ISC English grade between 65% - 74% in Standard XII OR
State Board/NIOS English grade between 70% - 79% in Standard XII OR
Bangladesh HSC English grade between 75% - 90% in Standard XII OR
Bhutan BHSEC English grade between 70% - 79% in Standard XII OR
Nepal NEP English grade between 70% - 79% in Standard XII OR
Sri Lankan O Level English grade between C and A

Other exemptions

If you hold one of the qualifications below with the specified grades and have been working for a year or longer till present time for an International company (with offices in more than one country), where all business and communications are conducted in English and can provide a letter from your employer on a headed paper confirming all these conditions, you are not required to provide any other additional English language qualifications, such as IELTS or other tests. The Letter from the Employer must be dated and your employment must be current.

CBSE/ISC English grade between 65% - 74% in Standard XII OR
State Board/NIOS English grade between 70% - 79% in Standard XII OR
Bangladesh HSC English grade between 75% - 90% in Standard XII OR
Bhutan BHSEC English grade between 70% - 79% in Standard XII OR
Nepal NEP English grade between 70% - 79% in Standard XII OR
Sri Lankan O Level English grade between C and A

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.