English Language Requirements

All courses at Brunel have an English language requirement. This is listed on your course page under 'entry criteria'.

If you need an English test, we recommend booking one early as there can be a long wait in some areas. You can also take our Brunel English Language Test (BrunELT).

FAQs

What level of English do I need?

In general, our courses ask for an English level of between IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 77 and IELTS 7.0/TOEFL 98 or equivalent. Some courses will have higher requirements (and will require you to also reach minimum sub-scores), so please check your course page for the exact level. If you do not meet the required level of English, you can take one of our pre-sessional courses.

What English qualifications does Brunel accept?

English qualifications we currently accept for degree level study include those listed below. We accept a wide range of other qualifications, so if you are unsure please get in touch with us on BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

What English qualifications do I need if I wish to study English at Brunel before my degree course?

If you need to study English before starting your degree, you should take one of the following tests at an approved test centre in order to apply for a Student visa:

IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT (minimum of IELTS 4 for overall and sub-scores)
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above, Pass overall and 33 for each part)
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (Ievel 1 or above, both modules)
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (43 for each part)

Find out more about exams you can take to obtain a Student visa: IELTS (Academic) for UKVI, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE), and Pearson PTE Academic. For further details, contact us.

I don't need to study English before I start my degree. Do I still need to provide proof of English language?

All international students must show evidence that they meet the English requirement for their course of study. This applies even if English is the native language of your home country. If this is the case, a pass at high school level which is equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above is sometimes acceptable. Please see your country page for more information.

If you don't need to study English before your degree and don't have relevant high school qualifications, we can still accept a non-UKVI-approved IELTS from an official test centre with the required scores. However, should you not achieve the required scores for your degree course, you will not be able to use this IELTS to apply for a Tier 4 visa for a pre-sessional English course in the UK. In some circumstances, if you don't have a UKVI IELTS, you may be able to attend an English course with a Short Term Study visa. Contact us for more information.

English language qualifications we accept

(Click to expand and see specific requirements):

BrunELT (Brunel English Language Test)

	Pre-sessional English Only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0	7.5
BrunELT	40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts)	55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)	58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts)	63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course)	68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)	73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

IELTS for UKVI (UKVI approved for Student Visa)

Pre-sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes
4.0 to 5.0	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
(Minimum 4 in all subscores)	(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores)	(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores)	(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course)	(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

LanguageCert Academic (SELT and Non-UKVI)

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
LanguageCert	45 (min 45 for each part)	60 (min 60 for each part)	65 (min 65 for each part)	70 (min 70 for each part)	75 (min 75 for each part)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

LanguageCert IESOL (up to and including September 2026 entry)

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
LanguageCert	B1 Achiever - Pass (min 33/50 for each part)	B2 Communicator Pass (min 36/50 for each part)	B2 Communicator Pass (min 39/50 for each part)	C1 Expert Pass (min 36/50 for each part)	C1 Expert Pass (min 39/50 for each part)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

Pearson Academic (UKVI approved for Student Visa)

	Pre-sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
PTE Academic UKVI	43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part)	59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)	59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)	59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)	64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

PSI Services: Skills for English UKVI

Pre-Sessional English only

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes

IELTS

4.0+

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Skills for English

B1 (Lower Intermediate) Code: 4SB1

B1 Pass with Merit Code: 4SB1+

(pass for each part)

B2 Upper Intermediate Code: 4SB2 (pass for each part)

B2 + Upper Intermediate Code: 4SB2+ (B2 Pass with Merit) (pass for each part)

C1 (Expert) Code: 4SBC1 (pass for each part)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

Trinity College London: Secure English Language Tests for UKVI - Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (UKVI approved for Student Visa)

	Pre-sessional English only		Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0-4.5 (min 4)	5.0 (min 4)	5.5 (min 5.5)	6.0 (min 5.5)	6.5 (min 6)	7.0 (min 6.5)	7.5 (min 7)
Trinity ISE	ISE I (B1) Pass in all skills	ISE I (B1) with Merit in 2 Skills	ISE II (B2) Pass all skills	ISE II (B2) with Merit in 2 Skills + pass in 2 skills	ISE II (B2) Merit 3 Skill areas + Pass in one skill	ISE III (C1) Pass in all skills	ISE III (C1) Merit in 2 skill areas +Pass in 2 skill areas

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

Cambridge

	Pre-sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams	140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit)	160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C)	169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B)	180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A)	185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B)
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language)	D	C/4	C/4	C/4	C/4
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language)	D	C/4	C/4	C/4	C/4
B2 First (formerly FCE)	140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary)	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test)
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)	N/A	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test)	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course)
C2 Proficiency (CPE)	N/A	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course)
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of Financial English - ICFE	N/A	160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (B2 Pass)	169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass)	180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass)	185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C1 Pass with Merit)
International Education English O'level	D	C	C	C	C
Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in First Language English	D	C	C	C	C

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

City & Guilds ESOL, IESOL and SESOL

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
ESOL, IESOL and SESOL	Achiever B1 (pass)	Communicator B2 (pass)	Communicator B2 (first class pass)	Expert C1 (pass)	Expert C1 (first class pass)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

European Baccalaureate Year 7 (Except English Language 4)

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
European Baccalaureate 7	N/A	English Language I and II grade 5.5; English Language III grade 6	English Language I and II grade 6; English Language III grade 7	English Language I and II grade 6; English Language III grade 7	English Language I and II grade 7; English Language III grade 7.5

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

French Baccalaureate

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
French Baccalaureate	N/A	10	10	12	13

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

GCE (O'level)

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
GCE	D	C/4	C	C	C

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

GCSE

	Pre-sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
GCSE	D/3	C-A or 4-9	C-A or 4-9	C-A or 4-9	C-A or 4-9
GCSE, IGCSE & AQA Level 1/2 English Language	D	C	C-A	C-A	C-A
GCSE combined language and literature	D	C	C	C	C

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

	Pre-sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
IB Higher and Standard A	2+	HL or SL 3	HL or SL 4	HL or SL 4	HL or SL 4
IB Higher B	2+	HL 3	HL 4	HL 4	HL 4
IB Standard B	2+	SL 4	SL 5	SL 5	SL 5

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

Kaplan Test of English

IELTS Score Required	Equivalent Kaplan Test of English Score Required
4.0+ (4.0)	310 (310)
5.5 (5.5)	425 (425)
6.0 (5.5)	458 (425)
6.5 (6.0)	494 (458)
7.0 (6.5) 7.5 (7.0)	510 (494) 550 (526)

Kaplan Test of English - An easy-to-access online English Language test that can be taken anywhere at any time.

Use this DISCOUNT CODE to claim a 25% discount: BRUNKRS65

Simply enter this code on this booking form to claim the discount.

You’ll receive your Kaplan Test of English Certificate within 5 working days of completing the test.

BOOK THE KAPLAN TEST OF ENGLISH HERE

For more information, read the Student Guide.

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

Michigan Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
ECPE	N/A	Low Pass (a minimum of 650 for each part)	Pass (minimum of 650 for each part)	Pass (minimum of 650 or 750 for each part, depending on course)	Honors (minimum of 750 or 840, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

NATO Stanag

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
NATO Stanag	3333	4444	4444	4444	4444

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

Password Skills Plus

	Pre-sessional English only	Pre-sessional Egnlish/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.0+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7
Password Skills Plus	Minimum 4 for each part	Minimum 5 for each part	6 (minimum 5.5 for each part)	6.5 (minimum 6 or 5.5 for each part, depending on course)	7 (minimum 7 or 6.5 or 6, depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.

TOEFL

	Pre-Sessional English only	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)	Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes
IELTS	4.5+	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0
iBT iBT at home iBT paper based	49+ (min R10, L10, S16, W13)	71 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)	77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17 - depending on course)	90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17, or min 20 in all subscores - depending on course)	98 (min 20, 23, or 25 in all subscores - depending on course)
ITP Plus for China (interviews are checked by Brunel)	460 (min L47, R48, W32)	543 (min L54, R56, W53)	580 (min L54, R56, W53)	610 (min L54, R56, W53, S55, or L59, R59, W60, S60 - depending on course)	627 (L59, R59, W60, S60, or min L63, R64, W64, S65 - depending on course)

Pre-Sessional English only

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)

Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes

IELTS

4.5+

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

iBT

iBT at home

iBT paper based

49+ (min R10, L10, S16, W13)

71 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)

77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17 - depending on course)

90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17, or min 20 in all subscores - depending on course)

98 (min 20, 23, or 25 in all subscores - depending on course)

ITP Plus for China (interviews are checked by Brunel)

460 (min L47, R48, W32)

543 (min L54, R56, W53)

580 (min L54, R56, W53)

610 (min L54, R56, W53, S55, or L59, R59, W60, S60 - depending on course)

627 (L59, R59, W60, S60, or min L63, R64, W64, S65 - depending on course)

English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course. View your course page for more information.

Please contact BLC-admissions@brunel.ac.uk for more information.