UK
English language requirements – Bath Spa University
English language requirements – Bath Spa University
English Language requirements
How to demonstrate that you have the required level of English to study with us
Who needs an English Language qualification?
If you're an international student who’s about to start studying with us, you may need to demonstrate that your English language skills are sufficient to study for a degree at a UK university.
Unless you’re a national of a majority
English speaking country
, you'll need to submit an English language qualification that's recognised by the University. Your English language qualifications must have been achieved within two years of the course start date.
Study English in your home country
If you need to improve your English language score or you 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.
IELTS requirements
For most Undergraduate and a few Postgraduate courses:
You’ll need 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
For most Postgraduate courses:
You’ll need 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
For a few Postgraduate courses:
You’ll need 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
OR
you’ll need 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
Please
check your offer or course webpages to see the specific requirement for your course. See below for more tests and alternative qualifications that we accept.
Other tests and scores that we accept
TOEFL iBT (if taken within two years and up to January 2026)
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
TOEFL iBT
grade
required
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
72 overall
with
minimums of 17 for Listening, 18 for Reading, 17 for Writing and 20 for Speaking
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
81
overall
with
minimums of 17 for Listening, 18 for Reading, 17 for Writing and 20 for Speaking
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
81
overa
with
minimums of 17 for Listening, 18 for Reading, 17 for Writing and 20 for Speaking
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
91
overall
with
minimums of 17 for Listening, 18 for Reading, 17 for Writing and 20 for Speaking
Please
send your scores
to the University through your TOEFL iBT account online account.
Bath Spa accepts both the TOEFL iBT test and TOEFL iBT Home Edition test.
TOEFL iBT (new grading if taken after 21 January 2026)
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
TOEFL iBT
grade
required (new grading system
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
4 overall with NEW TOEFL minimums of 3.5 for Listening and Reading, and 4 for Writing and Speaking
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
4.5 overall with NEW TOEFL minimums of 4 for Listening and Reading, and 4.5 for Writing and Speaking
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
4.5 overall with NEW TOEFL minimums of 4 for Listening and Reading, and 4.5 for Writing and Speaking
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
4.5 overall with NEW TOEFL minimums of 4 for Listening and Reading, and 4.5 for Writing and Speaking
Please
send your scores
to the University through your TOEFL iBT account online account.
Bath Spa accepts both the TOEFL iBT test and TOEFL iBT Home Edition test.
Pearson PTE Academic Language Test
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
PTE Academic
grade
required
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
59 overall with
minimums of
50 for Reading and Listening, and 55 for Speaking and Writing
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
65 overall with minimums of
50 for Reading and Listening, and 55 for Speaking and Writing
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
65 overall with minimums of
55 for Reading and Listening, and 60 for Speaking and Writing
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
75 overall with minimums of
55 for Reading and Listening, and 60 for Speaking and Writing
Duolingo
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
Duolingo
grade
required
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
110 overall, with a minimum of
100 i
n each
component
, including sub-scores.
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
0 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each
component
, including sub-scores.
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
0 overall, with a minimum of 1
0 in each
component
, including sub-scores.
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
0 overall, with a minimum of 110 in each
component
, including sub-scores.
Please provide your Candidate ID Number and Candidate secret number to allow the results to be verified online.
Kaplan Test of English
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
Kaplan
grade
required
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
444 overall, with
minimum of
410 in each
component
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
478 overall, with
a minimum of
410 in each
component
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
478 overall, with
a minimum of
444 in each
component
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
510 overall, with a minimum of
444 in each
component
LanguageCert (Academic) Test
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
LanguageCert
grade
required
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
65
overall
with
a minimum of
60 in each
component
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
70
overall
with
a minimum of
60 in each
component
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
70
overall
with
a minimum of
in each
component
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
overall
with
a minimum of
in each
component
Bath Spa
ONLY
accepts
in-person
LanguageCert
tests.
Oxford ELLT Test
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
Oxford ELLT
grade
required
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
6 overall with
a minimum of
5 in each
compone
nt
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
overall with
a minimum of
5 in each
component
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
overall with
a minimum of
in each
component
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
overall with
a minimum of
in each
component
Trinity B2 English test (ISE II)
Where the following IELTS
grades are
required
Trinity B2
(ISE II)
grade
required
IELTS 6.0, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each element
Minimum of 88
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
5.5. in each elemen
Minimum of 96
IELTS 6.
, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
Minimum of 96
IELTS
.0, with
a minimum of
6.0
. in each element
Minimum of 96
Alternative qualifications
A degree from a majority English speaking country
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.
West African Examinations Council
This requires a minimum of 5 subjects (one of which must include English) at C6 level.
iGCSE
This requires a minimum of 6 subjects, at A*-C including English, at A*-C.
International Baccalaureate
This requires a score of 32 overall, and it must include English Language (Higher or Standard) with a minimum of Higher 5.
Foundation years and A-levels
These could have been studied in the UK or in a
majority English speaking country
Cambridge CAE and CPE
Undergraduate - 169 overall with no less than 162 in each skill.
Pre-Sessional English courses
If your qualification doesn't meet our English language requirements, you can join our
Pre-Sessional English course
before you begin your degree. These courses improve your English language skills and confidence, so that you have the best chance to succeed.
Applicants applying for a Pre-Sessional English course will require a Home Office approved 'Secure English Language Test (SELT). There are two qualifying qualifications:
IELTS for UKVI
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English
Pre-sessional English Language courses
English Language support while you study
Studying in a different language can be a challenge, adding to the pressure of completing your degree. We can support you throughout your journey at Bath Spa University.
The English Language Unit
The
English Language Unit
is a free service that runs throughout the year, available to all students whose first language is not English. Through one-to-one tutorials and short courses, the ELU can help you improve your English skills and confidence in writing and speaking.
The Academic Skills service (ASk)
The University’s
Academic Skills service (ASk)
offers individual sessions, workshops and courses to help you improve your academic skills. They can help with the transition to university and returning to your studies after a break. They cover a variety of topics, including:
Reading and writing
Referencing
Digital literacy
Critical thinking.
Next steps
Open Days
Virtual tour
International students
Visas and Immigration
How to apply