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Posted March 6, 2025

What international language tests do you need for masters study in the UK?

International language tests

Thousands of international students choose to study their postgraduate program at UK universities every year for various reasons. Some of the main reasons that the UK appeals to so many international postgraduate students include:

  1. The UK is home to many of the world’s highest ranked universities – including the 24 Russell Group universities – offering prestigious and globally recognised postgraduate courses.
  2. There is a very diverse range of postgraduate subjects and topics on offer, giving the international students plenty of options to choose from.
  3. Masters degrees in the UK are usually completed in one year when studied full time – in many other countries they can take two years to finish. This makes masters study in the UK a much more time-efficient and often more economically viable option.
  4. Studying in English is an excellent way to develop English language communication skills, which will stand you in good stead for future employment.
  5. Universities in the UK have developed excellent industry connections which can lead to great employment and internship opportunities upon completion of the masters degree or other postgraduate program.

What qualifications do overseas students need to study in the UK?

To study a masters degree in the UK, students from overseas whose first language isn’t English will need proof of English language proficiency. There are several recognised English language tests that UK universities will accept and these tests all assess the students for their academic-level English speaking, writing, reading and listening skills.

English language proficiency tests

Here is an overview of the main English language proficiency tests that are accepted in UK universities.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – IELTS is one of the most widely accepted English language tests, with most UK universities requiring an overall score of 6.5 to 7.5, depending on the postgraduate course. IELTS has over 4,000 test locations in 140 countries across the globe – find your nearest test centre here. In some countries, you can also take your IELTS test online.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – TOEFL is accepted by over 13,000 institutions in over 200 countries. Universities usually require a TOEFL iBT score of 90 to 100+. The TOEFL iBT test can be taken in two ways, choose the best option for your needs but make sure you check with the institutions you are applying to, to confirm their specific requirements. If you prefer a traditional test environment, you can opt for a test centre, and more than 170 test dates are offered every year. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is the same qualification, but it’s just taken at home and monitored online by a human proctor.

Cambridge English – Cambridge English exams are accepted by universities, employers and governments around the world. There are over 2,800 exam centres in 130 countries. Cambridge English’s C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency test are their English language qualifications for international students choosing to study a postgraduate degree at a UK university. Here is a list of all the UK universities that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of English proficiency.

Pearson PTE – Pearson PTE English test results are accepted by 99% of UK universities, and by over 3,500 universities and colleges around the world. PTE Academic is their computer-based English language proficiency test – this takes two hours to complete in a test centre environment. Pearson has over 400 test centres in 117 countries, plus there are also options for online testing.

Preparing for an English language test

Once you have decided what English language test you want to take, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared properly. English proficiency test centres will provide practice tests for an additional fee.­ For example, Pearson PTE Academic offers scored practice tests from $USD35 to enable students to gain familiarity with the test format, time management and scoring system. Completed practice tests can be submitted for marking and students will receive a full score report within 24 hours.

Another way to prepare for your English language test include immersing yourself in English language and culture by watching English-speaking films and TV shows, listening to podcasts, and reading English newspapers and magazines. It’s also a good idea to practice your English speaking on a native English speaker. Try and find someone who lives locally that you can meet up with regularly to discuss everyday events and activities in English – this is a great way to develop your speaking skills.

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