To meet the English Language Requirements for our courses, you will be required to evidence that you have obtained the minimum requirements of your offer via a Home Office approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Test provider | Minimum entry | Minimum entry | Minimum entry for |
International English | A minimum of level 6 with a minimum of 5.5 across all sections. For example, reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students with a score of Level 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 across all sections will be required to take part in a programme of in sessional support, which will be subject to a further fee. This will be reviewed on an annual basis for the duration of the programme. | Taught Programmes: | A minimum of level 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and a minimum of 6.0 in speaking and listening. |
Oxford ELLT (For more information, and to register please see below) | Overall Oxford ELLT Level 6, Minimum Level 5. | Overall Oxford ELLT Level 7, Minimum Level 6. | Overall Oxford ELLT Level 7, Minimum Level 7 in reading and writing and Level 6 in speaking and listening. |
Trinity Integrated | ISE II with Distinction | ISE III with Distinction in all four components | Not accepted |
LanguageCert | A minimum of 65 overall and a minimum of 60 in all components | A minimum of 70 overall and a minimum of 65 in all components | Not accepted |
Pearson PTE Academic | Overall score of 59 with no less than 59 Minimum level 59 in Listening | Overall score of 59 | Not accepted |
PSI/Skills for English | B2 Pass overall, with B2 Pass in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) | B2 Pass with Merit, with a minimum B2 Pass in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) | Not accepted |
International Qualifications accepted in lieu of a SELT:
Country | Qualification | Exam board/council | Timeframe | Grades |
Nigeria | WASSC - West African Senior School Certificate - post 1998 Senior School Certificate Post 2000 | West African Examinations Council (WAEC) National Examinations Council (NECO) | 10 years 10 years | A1-C6 A1-C6 |
Ghana | WASSC - West African Senior School Certificate - post 2005 | West African Examinations Council (WAEC) | 10 years | A1-C6 |
Please note the above international qualifications do not apply to teacher training programmes (PGCE/PGDE) as applicants must evidence both minimum GCSE English requirements AND English Language Proficiency. Please confirm with the Enquiries Team if you are unsure which qualification meets which requirement prior to application.
All applicants for PGCE/PGDE programmes must complete a SELT (currently either IELTS Academic for UKVI or Oxford ELLT). The only exception to this is if applicants are from a majority English speaking country as defined by the UKVI (listed below).
Applicants required to complete a SELT should meet the University’s minimum overall requirements and minimum scores in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Additionally, the test should have been undertaken within two years of the intended start date of the course.
Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualifications obtained from recognised UK universities within the UK are not acceptable as a SELT. English language conditions can only be waived if you have been awarded a full Master's degree from a recognised UK university within the UK.
Oxford ELLT - Further information
Oxford ELLT is an English Language Level Test, approved by Bishop Grosseteste University that can be used as evidence of a candidate’s English language proficiency for international admissions.
Register to take Oxford ELLT Digital through our link below.
You can also benefit from using our discount code at check out to purchase the test for only £90 (Oxford ELLT Digital only): BGU25
International students from majority English speaking countries
If you have completed an academic qualification equivalent to a UK degree from a majority English-speaking country as defined in Home Office ‘Student visa guidance’, you will not be required to complete any additional English proficiency tests. For the purposes of degree equivalence the government considers these countries to be:
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
UK
USA
If you are not a national of any of the above countries, but you completed all of your secondary education in English in one of the above countries within 2 years of the start date of the course you are applying for, then you will not be required to undertake a SELT.
In some circumstances, we can consider exceptions to the above requirements. If you cannot meet the requirements above, but would like to apply for one of our courses, please contact the Admissions Team at admissions@bishopg.ac.uk.