Undergraduate Degrees - English Requirements

To study for an undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations.

We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Please use the checklist below to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:

1. Are you a national of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, or The United States of America?

If YES then no further evidence will be required of your English language proficiency.

2. Have you undertaken and passed three A Levels or achieved the IB Qualification (studied in English) within the last 10 years?

If YES then all we require is a copy of your transcript or certificate.

3. Have you undertaken one of the high/senior school qualifications on our approved list and achieved the minimum grade? If yes your certificate must be no older than 10 years at the start of your programme of study.

If YES then all we require is a copy of your high school transcript and certificate.

4. Have you undertaken or are you undertaking a qualification equivalent to a Honours degree in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Ireland, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, or The United States of America?

If YES then all we require is a copy of your transcript or certificate.

5. Have you undertaken or are you undertaking a qualification equivalent to a UK Honours degree in a non-majority English speaking country which has been fully delivered, assessed, and examined in English?

If YES then we may be able to accept this to assess your English language proficiency.  Please provide a copy of your transcript or certificate, translated into English. The transcript or certificate MUST specify that the qualification was fully delivered, assessed and examined in English. The transcript or certificate MUST specify that the qualification was or is being delivered, assessed and examined solely in English language.

6. Have you undertaken or are you undertaking a qualification equivalent to a UK Honours degree in a non-majority English speaking country which has been fully delivered, assessed, and examined in English?

If YES then all we require is a copy of your transcript or certificate, translated into English. If these documents do not specify that the qualification was fully delivered, assessed and examined in English, you may need to provide a letter from your institution to that effect.

7. Have you achieved the required grades in a recognised English language test as shown in the table below?

If YES then all we require is a copy of your certificate, which we will verify with the awarding organisation. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.

If NO you will need to register for one of the tests listed below and achieve the required grade prior to commencement of your studies with us, we will make this a condition of your offer.

Please note certification of your English Language test must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.

The standard English Language criteria for undergraduate study at the University of Aberdeen are listed below (referred to as Undergraduate Standard). Please note that this standard does not apply to Medicine (MB ChB) where a higher level of English is required. Alternative English Language qualifications are NOT accepted for Medicine (MB ChB) applicants.

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