English language requirements

The language of instruction at ARU College is English. To attain entry into the undergraduate or postgraduate pathway, you must be able to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency. The English requirement for all ARU College courses is: IELTS overall score of 5.5 (with at least 5.5 in each of the four components). If you hold one of our accepted qualifications but have missed the entry requirements, then you may be suitable for our Pre-Sessional English courses.

We have provided a calculator to help establish the entry level for a student based on their current English Certificate. It asks for the title and date of the test and uses that information to show the available entry levels for UK study.

English Language Tests

ARU preferred tests are IELTS (Academic), TOEFL iBT and Pearson PTE (Academic), so we recommend you take one of these if possible.

We also recognise the following qualifications/tests:

IGCSE English Language / First Language English / English as a Second Language
Cambridge International O Level English Language
Cambridge B2 First (FCE – First Certificate in English)
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE – Certificate in Advanced English)
Trinity College: Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT tests
International English Language Competency Assessment (IELCA)
City and Guilds Functional Skills Level 2 English
Oxford ELLT Global – Register for a test

With all of the above tests, we reserve the right to undertake additional English language verification at the CAS issuance stage (for Tier 4 students). English tests must have been taken within the past two years to be accepted.

There may be exceptions if you have previously completed a recognised academic qualification taught and assessed in English.

Qualification	Grade	Validity
GCSE/IGCSE	C	No expiry
IELTS	5.5 in all bands	2 years
Pearson PTE Academic	59 in all bands	2 years
Duolingo	100 in all bands	2 years
TOEFL IBT	72 (Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17, Speaking 20)	2 years
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT Exams	Listening 33/50, Reading 33/50, Writing 33/50, Speaking 33/50	2 years
Anglia Ruskin University: English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)	55% all bands	2 years
Cambridge English: B2 First (FCE – First certificate in English)	162-168 (Grade C)	2 years
Cambridge English: c1 Advanced (CAE – Certificate in Advanced English)	160-169 (Level B2)	2 years
Trinity College: Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (SELT)	ISEII overall (Pass in all bands)	2 years
Oxford ELLT Global	Standard undergraduate requirement: 6 overall with 5 in each of the four skills	18 months

If you do not currently meet our English language requirements, there are number of ways that you can improve your English language skills before starting your degree.

English Language Proficiency Test

ARU’s English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) provides an excellent opportunity to provide evidence of your English level to apply to study at ARU College and ARU. The ELPT has been developed to evaluate your level of English for undergraduate or postgraduate study. It is accepted by the University as an alternative to IELTS as proof of your English level and meets the visa requirements for the UK Visa Immigration (UKVI).

English for University Studies Course

The EUS Course is for students who would like to improve their general and academic English. We would usually recommend a minimum of 10 weeks to improve your IELTS by 1.0. Please note this is just a minimum guide only and you may need to do a Pre-sessional after this programme if you intend to apply for an academic course at Anglia Ruskin.

Pre-sessional English Course

The pre-sessional course focuses on English Language, including grammar and vocabulary, fluency, and pronunciation and academic skills, including presentation skills, reading and listening, writing and exam preparation. All classes will be taught in the context of academic study in a university environment.

The number of weeks you require is dependent on your current English results. Find out more.

Accepted English Qualifications by Country

Search:

Country	Qualification	IELTS equivalent (IELTS 5.5)
Aland Islands	Ylioppilastutkintotodistus	5 (magna cum laude approbatur)
Austria	Matura / Reifeprufung	2 'gut' when both written and oral exams have been taken
Belgium	Diploma van Secundair or the Certificat D'Enseignement Secondaire Superieur	8 / 80% or 'Grote avec grande distinction'
Botswana	Cambridge overseas School Certificate	C
Bulgaria	Secondary School Diploma	5
Cameroon	O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Croatia	TESA	The required level for equivalent to IELTS 5.5 is 52
Cyprus EU	Apolyterion	Apolyterion 15/20
Czech Republic	Maturita	Maturita grade 2
Denmark	Stundentereksamen	10 in English
Estonia	Gumnaasiumi Loputunnistus	60 points/Grade 4 in English
Finland	Ylioppilastutkintotodistus	6/E (magna cum laude approbatur)
France	Baccalaureat General	13 in English
France		Baccalauréat l’Option Internationale – English	11+
Gambia	WAEC Senior Secondary Schl. Leaving Cert.	A - C
Germany	Abitur or 2/6 in English Language as a Leistungkurs	10+
Germany		DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Certificate of Language Proficiency English test.	B in all sections
Ghana	WAEC/WASSCE (No shelf life applied)	The 7 year shelf life for WAEC/WASSCE for Ghanaian applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade C i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a C in WAEC/WASSCE English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the WAEC/WASSCE.
Ghana		O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Greenland	Stundentereksamen	10 in English
Hong Kong	A-Level Use of English	C
		HKCEE Syllabus B. (Discontinued Sep 06)	Taken pre-2007 - D
		HKCEE Syllabus B. (Discontinued Sep 06)		Taken post-2007 – 3
		HKCEE Syllabus A.	B
		HK Secondary Diploma in English Language	3
Hungary	Advanced Level Matura Erettségi	4
Iceland	Studentsprof matriculation exam	8 in English
Ireland	Irish Leaving Certificate in English	C
Kenya	KCSE English	C
		KCSE English (No shelf life applied)	The 7 year shelf life for KCSE for Kenyan applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade C i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a C in KCSE English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the KCSE.
		O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Latvia	Atestats par visparejo videjo izgliti	Grade 8 in English
Lesotho	Cambridge Overseas School Certificate	C
Lesotho		Junior Certificate	1 - 6
Liberia	WAEC	1 - 6 or A - C
Lithuania	Brandos Atestatas	Grade 9 in English (76)
Luxembourg	Examen de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires	45 in English
Malawi	EACE English or MSCE	C or grade 6
Malaysia	O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Malaysia		UCLES English SPM 1119 Syllabus	6C
Mali	Cert. Education English Lang. Communic.	6
Malta	Maltese Matriculation Certificate in English	C
Mauritius	O level English may be required	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Namibia	Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate	2
Netherlands	Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk (VWO) Dip	7
Nigeria	National Exams Council (NECO) Senior Schools Certificate	C6
		NABTEB (National Business and Technical Examinations Board)	C6
		WAEC (for English Language level)	C6
		WAEC (for general academic entry)	As per the following the 7 year shelf life for WAEC for Nigerian applicants no longer applies in the following instances: Scenario1: Applicants who have completed WAEC and a 2year OND Scenario2: Applicants who have completed WAEC and a 2year OND followed by a 2-year HND Scenario3: Applicants who have completed WAEC and a University Degree Scenario4: Applicants who have completed WAEC followed by OND, HND and a 2-year PG Diploma i.e. as long as an applicant achieved 1-6 in WAEC English and has any of the further education combinations outlined above do not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook to WAEC.
		National Technical Certificate (NTC)	C6
		O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Norway	Vitnemål	4
Poland	Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura	60% in the written extended65% in written basic65% in oral exam
Portugal	English Grade from Portuguese High School (Ensino Secundário)	Grade 12
Romania	Bacalaureat	CEFR B2 or above in at least 3 elements, with no less than B1 in any element
Sierra Leone	Senior School Certificate	6
Singapore	O level English	C
Slovakia	Maturita	2 or above in B2 English Language
South Africa	O or A level English may be required	The 7 year shelf life for O or A level for South African applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade C i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a C in O or A level English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the O or A level. If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5
South Africa		National Senior Certificate	C/5
Sweden	Slutbetyg fran Komvux/Avgangsbetyg	VG (val godkant)
Switzerland	Maturita	5 (gut/bien/bene)
Tanzania	Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSE) English.	C
		COSC, Secondary Leaving Certificate and Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) / National Form IV Examination	C
		East Africa Certificate of Education EACE English (No shelf life applied)	C
		O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Thailand	Normal IELTS or equivalents required except for: Institute of International Studies Ramkamhaeng University IIS-RU / Bangkok University International College (BUIC) / Thammasat University (Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT) / Assumption University International College / Rangsit University International College / Khon Kaen University International College (KKUIC) / Mahidol University International College (MUIC) / Srinakharinwirot University International College for Sustainable Studies (SUIC). These are 'A' listed universities from which if the applicant has a first degree, and has graduated within 5 years of making an application to study at Anglia Ruskin, s/he is exempted from providing evidence of English Language ability.
Uganda	UCE English	C or 1-6
		UCE English (No shelf life applied)	The 7 year shelf life for UCE for Ugandan applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade C i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a C in UCE English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the UCE.
		O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5
Zambia	EACE English	The 7 year shelf life for EACE for Zambian applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade C i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a C in EACE English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the EACE.
		Zambia School Certificate in English (ZSC)	The 7 year shelf life for ZSC for Zambian applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade 6 i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a 6 in ZSC English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the ZSC.
		O level English	If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5 +
Zimbabwe	Zim Sec O level English or GCSE English	The 7 year shelf life for O level or GCSE for Zimbabwean applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade C i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a C in O level or GCSE English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the O level or GCSE. If the applicant has O-level or equivalent English and has been taught in English in their First Degree, they will be considered to be at the level of IELTS 6.5
Zimbabwe		Certificate Secondary Education in English	The 7 year shelf life for CSE for Zimbabwean applicants no longer applies when the applicant has a grade 6 i.e. as long as an applicant achieved a 6 in CSE English and has completed a minimum of 1 academic year of education equivalent to UK HE level at an institution equivalent to HE Education then we will not include an English language condition in their offer letter regardless of when they undertook the CSE.