English Language Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, we accept a variety of English language tests. We also accept the English Language element of some international qualifications. These are listed on our International Entry Requirements page. Where an offer of a place is conditional on you meeting our English language requirement, you will need to meet that condition before your offer is made unconditional and you can begin studying.

We can only accept tests that have been completed within the last two years or academic qualifications completed within the last 5 years.

Where an English Language test or qualification taught and examined in English is older than two years or five years respectively, we may consider evidence of continuing use of English in the workplace or elsewhere in the intervening period. If appropriate we will send you a form for your employer to complete along a job description.

You will find below a list of English requirements accepted at Falmouth University.

English language tests

Undergraduate - 169
Postgraduate - 176

A minimum grade of 7.0 in Advanced English Language 2 or a minimum grade of 7.5 in Advanced English Language 3.

A minimum of 5 in standard level English or 4 in Higher Level English

Undergraduate - 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each skill
Postgraduate - 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing and Listening, and a minimum of 6.0 in Speaking.

Please check the IELTS Academic website. Please note we also accept the IELTS Academic Online version of the test.

We accept the One Skills retake test provided it’s taken at an approved test centre. There are links to lists of approved test takers on this page.

Undergraduate - Grade C or above

IELA 169 (minimum 162 in all four components)

Undergraduate - 426, with no less than 396 in any skill 
Postgraduate - 459 with no less than 426 in any skill

Please find links to the Kaplan Test of English homepage and to the booking form.

An easy-to-access online English language test that can be taken from home. Kaplan Test of English certificates are issued in 5 working days of test completion.

Accepted from our January 2024 intake onwards.

Use this DISCOUNT CODE to claim a 25% discount: FALMKRS25. Simply enter this code on the booking form.

LanguageCert Academic:

Undergraduate - Score of 65 with a minimum of 60 in all components
Postgraduate - Score of 70 with a minimum of 65 in all components

LanguageCert ESOL B2 Communicator:

A High Pass in reading, writing, speaking and listening (2 parts), for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate.

Undergraduate - LRN International GCSE English Language qualification at Grade 4 or above.

Accepted from our January 2024 intake onwards.

Undergraduate - Pearson Academic 55 (minimum 51 in all four components)
Postgraduate - Pearson Academic 60 (minimum 55 in all four components)

For the latest on the PTE Academic test availability, please see the Pearson website

Undergraduate - PSI Skills for English: SELT B2 Pass
Postgraduate - PSI Skills for English: SELT B2 Pass with Merit

Accepted from our January 2024 intake onwards.

Applicants to Falmouth University can now take advantage of a discount on Skills for English: SELT by following this link. The discount is for 10% on B1 and B2 tests and 33% on C1 tests – which is applied after you click ‘Pay for test’ on your account screen.

Undergraduate - Trinity ISE II with Distinction in all four components
Postgraduate - Trinity ISE III with Pass in all four components

Undergraduate- TOEFL iBT with 80 overall with a minimum score of 18 in writing, listening, and reading and 20 in speaking from a single test date.
Postgraduate - TOEFL iBT with 90 overall with a minimum score of 19 in writing, listening, and reading and 21 in speaking from a single test date.

Please note the Home Edition is not accepted. However, a TOEFL My Best Score is accepted for just one of the skills elements.

English Language Requirements by Country

To read about the English language requirements for your specific country, you can visit our International Entry Requirements page.

English requirements by country

Pre-sessional English

Some applicants may not have the current required level of English language. Falmouth University recommends pre-sessional English courses with partner Oxford International Digital Institute. You can make your enquiries directly with them here. Please note, for any questions you have, we advise you to contact the provider directly.

English language support

In order to help students who are not native English speakers, we offer term-time English language classes

If you do not yet meet the language requirements of your course, there are a large number of English language schools in the South West with language classes to prepare you for study at university level. The British Council's Education UK website has a list of accredited language schools in the UK.

Find an accredited English language school