English language requirements
Before you begin your studies with us as an international student, you'll need an English language qualification that's recognised by the University.
Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, you'll need to submit an English language qualification.
All qualifications submitted for English language must be achieved within two years of the course start date.
Qualifications for 'Student Route' visa students applying for Pre-Sessional English Course
Applicants applying for a Pre-Sessional English Course, will require a Home Office approved 'Secure English Language Test (SELT). There are two qualifying qualifications:
- For applicants outside of the UK.
- For applicants already in the UK.
Entry Requirements for 'Student Route' visa students applying for a Pre-Sessional English Course
To join one of our Pre-Sessional English Courses, the following requirements apply. Please note that all IELTS qualifications must be a Home Office approved Secure English Language Test (SELT):
- 6/5 week programme: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent including a minimum of 5.0 in each component of the test
- 12/11 week programme: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent including minimum of 4.5 in each component of the test
- 16 week programme: IELTS 4.5 or equivalent including minimum of 4.0 in each component of the test
- 6/5 week programme: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent including a minimum of 5.0 in each component of the test
- 12/11 week programme: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent including minimum of 4.5 in each component of the test
- 16 week programme: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent including minimum of 4.5 in each component of the test
Qualifications for 'Student Route' visa students applying for Undergraduate Courses
This must include a minimum of 5.5 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
We're now accepting the IELTS Online Test as well. Please note that this test is only available in a few countries/regions and we'll advise you to check the IELTS Online website to confirm if this test is available to you.
A total of 72, to include a minimum 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking, and 17 in Writing.
Please send your scores to the University through your TOEFL iBT account online account.
This must include a minimum of 51 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
Please send your scores to the University (Bath Spa University > All Departments > All Programs) through your Pearson online account. The online results should then take 2 working days to come through to the University.
This must include a minimum overall score of 426 (Main Flight) with all four components at 396.
Please note, IELTS tests are valid for two years only for immigration purposes.
Undergraduate entry:
- IELTS 6.0. For visa nationals this must include a minimum of 5.5 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
- 6 week pre-sessional course entry: For visa nationals, IELTS 5.5 including a minimum of 5.5 in each component of the test.
- 12 week pre-sessional course entry: For visa nationals, IELTS 5.0 including a minimum of 4.5 in each component of the test (UKBA Level B1).
Postgraduate entry:
- IELTS 6.5 or 7.0. For visa nationals this must include a minimum of 5.5 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
- 6 week pre-sessional course entry: For visa nationals, IELTS 6.0 including a minimum of 5.5 in each component of the test.
- 12 week pre-sessional course entry: For visa nationals, IELTS 5.5 including a minimum of 4.5 in each component of the test (UKBA Level B1).
Qualifications for 'Student Route' visa students applying for Postgraduate Courses
This must include a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
We're now accepting the IELTS Online Test as well. Please note that this test is only available in a few countries/regions and we'll advise you to check the IELTS Online website to confirm if this test is available to you.
This must include a total of 75, to include a minimum 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking, and 17 in Writing.
Please send your scores to the University through your TOEFL iBT account online account.
Our postgraduate courses have differing requirements depending on the course. For specific information please see the course webpage.
For courses requiring IELTS 6.5, the PTE required score is 58 overall with at least 51 in each of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
For courses requiring IELTS 7.0, the PTE required score is 67 overall with at least 62 in each of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
Please send your scores to the University (Bath Spa University > All Departments > All Programs) through your Pearson online account. The online results should then take 2 working days to come through to the University.
This must include a minimum overall score of 459 (Main Flight) with all four components at 396 for courses that require an IELTS score of 6.5, and an overall score of 495 (Main Flight) with all four components at 396 for courses that require an IELTS score of 7.0.
Alternative Qualifications for 'Student Route' visa students
Alternatively, applicants who require a Student Route visa and are applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course may submit the following listed below.
Applicants holding alternative English qualifications are advised to contact International Admissions for advice the suitability of their qualifications by email at internationaladmissions@bathspa.ac.uk .
- To qualify, you must hold a degree awarded by a recognised institution in a majority English speaking country, listed under 'Exceptions' on the Student Route visa page.
- This requires a minimum of 5 subjects (one of which must include English) at C6 level.
- This requires a minimum of 6 subjects, at A*-C including English, at A*-C.
- This requires a score of 26 overall, and it must include English Language with a minimum of Higher 4.
- These could have been studied in the UK or in a majority English speaking country.
- Undergraduate - 169 overall with no less than 162 in each skill.
- Postgraduate - 176 overall with no less than 162 in each skill
Please provide your Candidate ID Number and Candidate secret number to allow the results to be verified online.
Applicants who do not require a visa to study in the UK - eg. EU nationals
Any of the above qualifications can all be submitted as evidence of English language proficiency
What if I don't meet these requirements
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can join our Pre-sessional English Language course before you begin your degree.
The course will not only teach you English language skills appropriate for progression to your academic degree - through individual support from your tutors and a variety of teaching methods, the course will also help you gain:
- knowledge and understanding of the teaching and learning styles and expectations of studying at a UK university;
- increased knowledge of your academic subject;
- academic and study skills;
- research skills, critical thinking and analysis;
- increased confidence for success.
Depending on your current level of English you will be able to join either the 12/11 weeks or 6/5 weeks Pre-sessional programme. Please check the entry requirements for the Pre-sessional English Language course.
If you need to improve your English language score or you just want to be more prepared before you start your studies, there are many opportunities to study English in your home country. The British Council provides English language teaching and preparation for the IELTS examination. Our Regional Offices can also help you find accredited IELTS examination centres in your country.
We appreciate that studying in a different language for the first time can be a big challenge, especially with the added pressure of needing to complete your degree. We have help and support available to assist you throughout your journey at Bath Spa University.
The English Language Unit
To ensure that you can meet those challenges, fully engage in university life and reach your full potential as learners, The English Language Unit (ELU) provides free English language and EAP (English for Academic Purposes) support for all international students whose first language is not English.
The Academic Skills service (ASk)
The University’s Academic Skills service (ASk) is here to support you in your academic work at any stage of your academic career. The ASk service offers 1:1 individual sessions as well as workshops and courses on a variety of topics to help you improve your academic reading and writing, referencing, digital literacy, critical thinking, making the transition to university study and returning to study after a break.
If you have a qualification not listed here, please contact our International Admissions team at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk and we will consider your qualifications on an individual basis.