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.
| Undergraduate Standard | Medicine (MBChB) | |
|
*University of Aberdeen Academic English Pre sessional programmes |
Pass | Pass |
|
University of Aberdeen Academic English Preparation Programme Valid for one year, refresher can be offered if out of date |
Pass at Level Four | Pass at Level Four |
|
Pre-sessional Academic English Preparation Programmes undertaken at other UK HEI’s, accredited by BALEAP |
Pass | Pass |
| IELTS Academic and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training) |
Listening - 5.5 or above Reading - 5.5 or above Speaking - 5.5 or above Writing - 6.0 or above Overall - 6.0 |
Listening - 5.5 or above Reading - 5.5 or above Speaking - 7.0 or above Writing - 6.0 or above Overall - 7.0 |
|
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) The University accepts MyBest scores for the TOEFL iBT test in addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date TOEFL DI code is 0818 |
Listening - 17 or above Reading - 18 or above Speaking - 20 or above Writing - 21 or above Overall - 78 |
Listening - 21 or above Reading - 22 or above Speaking - 28 or above Writing - 21 or above Overall - 100 |
| Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
Listening - 162 or above Reading - 162 or above Speaking - 162 or above Writing - 169 or above Overall - 169 |
Listening - 162 or above Reading - 162 or above Speaking - 185 or above Writing - 169 or above Overall - 185 |
|
Duolingo English Test (online from July 2019) Accepted for September 2022 entry. Not accepted for September 2023 entry |
Overall 105 Minimum of 90 in the sub scores for literacy, conversation, comprehension and production |
Not accepted |
|
LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) Communicator B2 Online / In-centre |
Listening - 33 or above Reading - 33 or above Speaking - 33 or above Writing - 35 or above |
Not accepted |
| PTE Academic |
Listening - 59 or above Reading - 59 or above Speaking - 59 or above Writing - 59 or above Overall - 59 or above |
Listening - 59 or above Reading - 59 or above Speaking - 70 or above Writing - 59 or above Overall - 70 or above |
| Trinity ISE – Trinity Integrated Skills in English | Pass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills. | Pass overall at ISE III with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills. |