International students who wish to study in the UK have to prove their English language proficiency. To prove their English speaking and understanding skills, students from non-English speaking countries have to appear for tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAE, etc.
English Language Tests- Requirements for International Students in the UK
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
IELTS is the most asked for English language exam in universities based in the UK.
- IELTS score requirement in the UK for international students is minimum 6.5- 7.0 for undergraduate aspirants.
- For graduate programs, IELTS Score requirement range between 7.0- 7.5
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
TOEFL scores are accepted for Internet-based test only. The overall TOEFL score accepted at universities in the UK is 112 for Internet-based test.
PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic
The other option to prove your English language proficiency is PTE Score. The PTE Academic is accepted by over 96% of UK universities.
- PTE Academic score accepted in the UK is 74+.
- It is approved by the UK border agency for Tier-4 Visa applications.
CAE/Cambridge ESOL (Cambridge English Language Assessment)
Cambridge English Language Assessment is yet another way to prove language proficiency for academic purposes. The overall score requirement is 191-230 for Advanced and Proficiency Level.
Students applying from Outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland, studying at below degree level cannot show test scores of CAE.
Admission test for UK universities
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
Most universities in the UK do not ask for GRE scores, while some others consider it as an essential requirement.
- Typically score over 310/780 is expected in the quantitative section.
- You can take GRE up to 5 times within 12 months. It is not allowed to take twice in a month.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
Universities in the UK may require GMAT test score if you are applying for an MBA or other business-related courses. Nearly 200 UK institutes accept GMAT scores.
Mathematics
MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test)
It is a standardized paper-based mathematics test administered jointly by Cambridge and Oxford Universities.
Students wishing to study mathematics at undergraduate level have to appear for this test
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper)
It is used at the University of Cambridge and University of Warwick. Knowledge of typical Mathematics is required to take this test.
Test of Mathematics for university admissions
It measures mathematical reasoning abilities. Students who want to take admission in University of Durham, Lancaster University, University of Warwick, Sheffield or the University of Southampton will have to take this test.
Medical courses
BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test)
For students aspiring admission to Biomedical, Medicine and Dentistry programs in UK Universities have to sit for BMAT.
The accepted BMAT score on average is 61%.
GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test)
Minimum 62% marks are required in GAMSAT for international students entering Medical graduate program in UK.
HPAT Ulster (Health Professions Admission Test)
Students entering Health professions in the UK have to mandatorily sit for HPAT Ulster exam.
UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test)
It is for the students who want to enrol in medical or dental degree programs.
A few universities in UK run these tests as a part of their application process. Most of these course-related admission tests for UK universities are conducted between August and November. Check the deadlines as they vary for different courses.