International entry requirements
We welcome undergraduate applications from all candidates offering A level or equivalent overseas qualifications (including the International Baccalaureate or a recognised Foundation Programme). All candidates must achieve appropriate grades in their examinations.
Academic requirements
The A level requirements are listed under the 'entry requirements' tab on the relevant course page in our course finder.
To find out what the grade requirements would be for a qualification that you have studied in your own country, please select your country from the drop-down list on the relevant course page, or see your individual country page information.
English language requirements
In order to undertake a programme of study here at the University, you will need to demonstrate that you have a suitable level of English proficiency.
You can demonstrate your level of English with IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or alternative qualifications. The sections below will tell you what grades you need in these qualifications for the subject area you want to study.
English tests/qualifications normally need to have been taken within two years of the start date of your programme.
Proof of English language proficiency
For those joining us for 2024, we will accept the following additional tests as evidence of English language proficiency:
- TOEFL Home Edition
- IELTs Online
- PTE Academic Online
- Cambridge English
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI)
- Trinity ISE II
- Trinity ISE III
For 2024 entry onwards, we accept IELTS One Skill Retakes.
Foundation programme requirements
The following English language requirements are for programmes from the Birmingham International Academy.
One year foundation programmes
One year foundation programmes
The following requirements are for programmes from the Birmingham International Academy.
One year courses
| Course | TOEFL |
IELTS (UKVI) |
PTE Academic (UKVI) |
|
Foundation pathways (one-year programme) For all pathways and progression routes, except students intending to progress to degrees in Law, English Literature, Medicine, Pharmacy or Physiotherapy |
Not accepted | 5.5 overall with at least 5.0 in each band |
59 with no less than 53 in all skills |
|
Foundation pathways (one-year programme) For students intending to progress to degrees in Law, English Literature or Physiotherapy (Four-year pathway not available for Physiotherapy) |
Not accepted |
6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each band |
64 with no less than 59 in all skills |
|
Foundation pathways (one-year programme) For students intending to progress to Medicine or Pharmacy (Four-year pathway not available for Medicine or Pharmacy) |
Not accepted |
6.0 overall, with at least 6.0 in each band |
64 with no less than 64 in all skills |
* For more information visit the Pearson Test of English website.
Four year foundation programmes
Four year foundation programmes
Four-year courses
|
Course |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
PTE (Academic) |
Duolingo |
|
Bachelor's Degree with Integrated Foundation Year (Four-year programme) For all pathways and progression routes, except students intending to progress to degrees in Law or English Literature |
72 overall with 18 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing | 5.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band |
A minimum of 59 in all skills |
90-99 |
|
Bachelor's Degree with Integrated Foundation Year (Four-year programme) For students intending to progress to degrees in Law or English Literature |
80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing |
6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each band |
A A minimum of 64 with no less than 59 in all skills |
100-109 |
* For more information visit the Pearson Test of English website.
Undergraduate (Bachelor) degree programmes
Find the English language requirements relevant to your course.
Find your course grouping
Find your course grouping
| Course | Group |
| Aerospace Engineering | A |
| Biomedical Materials Science | A |
| Biomedical Science | B |
| Biosciences | A |
| Business, including Economics**** | B |
| Chemical Engineering | A |
| Chemistry | A |
| Civil Engineering | A |
| Computer Engineering | A |
| Computer Science | A |
| Dental Hygiene and Therapy | C |
| Dentistry (BDS) | D |
| Education | B |
| Electronic, Electrical Engineering | A |
| English, Drama and Creative Studies | B |
| Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences | A |
| History and Cultures | B |
| Language, Cultures, Art History and Music | B |
| Law | B |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | B |
| Mathematics | A |
| Mechanical Engineering | A |
| Medicine (MBChB) | D |
| Metallurgy and Materials | A |
| Nuclear Science/Engineering | A |
| Nursing | D |
| Pharmacy | C |
| Philosophy, Theology and Religion | B |
| Physics and Astronomy | A |
| Physiotherapy | C |
| Political Science and International Relations | B |
| Psychology | B |
| Public Health | B |
| Social Policy | B |
| Social Work | C |
| Sociology | B |
| Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Science | A |
| Urban and Regional Studies | A |
Group A requirements
Group A requirements
TOEFL
80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
IELTS*
6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015)***
Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162in any component.
Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI)
B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill
Trinity ISE II
Distinction all skills
Trinity ISE III
Pass in each Skill
Group B requirements
Group B requirements
TOEFL
88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
IELTS*
6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015)***
Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI)
B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
Trinity ISE II
Not applicable
Trinity ISE III
Pass in each Skill
**** Business School programmes require one of the following scores: A TOEFL score of 88 overall with a minimum of 22 in Writing and Speaking, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, a Pearson Test of English score of 67 overall, with 67 in Writing and Speaking, a Cambridge English score of 176 overall with 176 in Writing and Speaking, a Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI) score of B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in Listening and Reading and 38 in Speaking and Writing, or a Trinity ISE III score of Merit in Speaking and Writing, Pass in other skills.
Group C requirements
Group C requirements
TOEFL
95 overall with no less than 22 in any band.
IELTS*
7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any band.
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
PTE 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills.
Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015)***
Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency Minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component.
Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI)
C1 ‘Expert’ with no less than 25 in each skill
Trinity ISE II
Not applicable
Trinity ISE III
Merit in Writing, Pass in other skills
Group D requirements
Group D requirements
TOEFL
95 overall with no less than 23 in any band.
IELTS*
7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any band.
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
PTE 67 in all four skills.
Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015)***
Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency Minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 185 in any component.
Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI)
Not applicable
Trinity ISE II
Not applicable
Trinity ISE III
ISE IV: Pass in each Skill
*Further information on can be found at the IELTS website. IELTS tests must be the Academic version, we cannot accept the General test.
** For more information on the Pearson Test of English visit their website.
*** For more information on Cambridge English exams, please visit their website. For Cambridge English exams taken before 2015, please see under Alternative Qualifications for the accepted grades.
**** Business School programmes require one of the following scores: A TOEFL score of 88 overall with a minimum of 22 in Writing and Speaking, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, a Pearson Test of English score of 67 overall, with 67 in Writing and Speaking, a Cambridge English score of 176 overall with 176 in Writing and Speaking, a Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI) score of B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in Listening and Reading and 38 in Speaking and Writing, or a Trinity ISE III score of Merit in Speaking and Writing, Pass in other skills.
English language courses
If English is a requirement of your offer, we offer Presessional English courses all year round as an alternative route into University of Birmingham study. Presessional English courses are designed for students who wish to improve their knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for academic study. You can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification.
Alternative qualifications for undergraduate programmes
Please note that the grades stated above are the University minimum and some degree programmes will have higher requirements. Always check your offer letter for full details of your conditions.
If exams in your country are cancelled and this affects the final qualification you receive from your school, the University of Birmingham will consider suitable alternatives. We will confirm what these suitable alternatives are after confirmation has been received from the Government or Education Ministry in your country that exams have been cancelled, and what qualification matriculating students will receive. Find your qualification minimum requirement
Find your qualification minimum requirement
| Qualification | Minimum University requirement |
|---|---|
| University of Birmingham presessional English course (see below) | Pass (see the BIA Presessional site for details) |
| GCSE English (or Edexcel IGCSE English) | Grade C/4 or above |
| GCE O Level English | Grade C or above |
|
Cambridge International Examinations |
Grade C |
| Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) IGCSE English (second language) |
Grade C |
| GCE AS Level (or International AS Level) | Grade C or above |
| GCE A Level (or International A Level) | Grade C or above |
| International Baccalaureate English, Standard or Higher Level, First or Second Language |
5 or above |
| HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) English |
Group A - 3 overall, minimum of 3 in each band
|
| India Standard XII (CBSE/CISCE/West Bengal) |
Group A - 75% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% West Bengal or 80% Other State boards Group B - 80% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% West Bengal or 85% Other State boards Group C - 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards Group D - 85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boards |
| Malaysian SPM 1119 (Cambridge O Level) | Grade C or above |
Special requirements
For some courses there are very specific entry requirements concerning a students' fitness to practice their chosen course of study. For information concerning these requirements, please visit the following page which also contains important information concerning the University's conditions of study: