To study for a degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. If you hold a degree from a UK University then evidence of proficiency in English language may not be required.

Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK

For applicants who require a Tier 4 visa, language proficiency is assessed by referral to candidates' IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge Advanced/Cambridge Proficiency qualifications. We also accept Trinity ISE – Trinity Integrated Skills in English.

An English language test is not required if you are a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America.

Applicants considering taking a pre-sessional English language course in case they do not meet the language requirements, will need to take the IELTS Academic for UKVI test as this is the only test acceptable for English language courses.

Applicants who do not require a visa to study in the UK

For applicants who do not require a Tier 4 visa (usually those with EU, EEA, Swiss, or Norwegian nationality), language proficiency is assessed by referral to candidates' IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge Advanced/Cambridge Proficiency qualifications. We also accept Trinity ISE – Trinity Integrated Skills in English.

In all cases, all English language qualifications must be taken within two years of the start date of your desired degree.

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.

English language proficiency is assessed by referral to the following tests.