English language requirements

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Our programmes are taught and examined in English. To make the most of your studies, you must be able to communicate fluently and accurately in spoken and written English in an academic environment and provide certified proof of your competence before starting your course.

The minimum English language requirements to study at the University of the Highlands and Islands are detailed below:

Accepted English language tests content

Accepted English language tests

Accepted English language tests

The approved English language competence tests to study at the University of the Highlands and Islands are detailed below:

Test HNC/D UG PG

IELTS Academic1

Valid for 2 years

Overall score of 5.5 with no element below 5.0

Overall score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5

Nursing only (non-UK students): overall score of 7.0 with no element below 7.0 (except writing at 6.5)

Optometry only (non-UK students): minimum score of 7 in the Academic IELTS or equivalent. Individual scores for each section of the test must not be lower than 6, with the exception of the 'Speaking' section, where a minimum score of 7 is required.

Overall score of 6.5 with no element below 6.0

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)2

Valid for 2 years

162 with min 158 in each component 169 with min 162 in each component 176 with min 162 in each component

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)2

Valid for 2 years

162 with min 158 in each component 169 with min 162 in each component 176 with min 162 in each component

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic3

Valid for 2 years

Min 50 56 average with 51 in each component 62 average with 55 in each component

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT4

Valid for 2 years

Min 69 or above with min 17 in each section Min 78 or above with min 18 in each section Min 88 or above with min 20 in each section

Occupational English Test (OET) – for nursing programmes only5

Valid for 2 years

 

From Sept 2018: score Test (OET) – for nursing between 350-440 for sub-tests (equivalent to IELTS 7.0-7.5). Writing score between 300-340 (equivalent to IELTS 6.5)

Before Sept 2018: must have a Grade B for sub-tests (equivalent to IELTS 7.0-7.5). Writing score Grade C+ (equivalent to IELTS 6.5)

 

LanguageCert International ESOL B26

(Can be studied online)

Valid for 2 years

ESOL SELT B2

Pass in each component

or

ESOL B2 Communicator

Pass in each component

ESOL SELT B2

Pass in each component

or

ESOL B2 Communicator

Pass in each component

ESOL SELT B2

High pass in each component

or

ESOL B2 Communicator

High pass in each component

Trinity's ISE exam

Valid for 2 years

ISE II Pass

ISE II Pass

ISE III Pass

Oxford ELLT

(Can be studied online)

Valid for 2 years

Overall score of 5 with no element below 5

Overall score of 6 with no element below 6

Overall score of 7 with no element below 6

Trinity College London’s Integrated Skills in English (ISEII), (ISEIII) and (ISEIV)

(to be taken within the UK)

Valid for 2 years

 

ISE II Merit overall with no

lower that ISE II Pass in any level

ISE II Distinction overall with no lower that ISE II Merit in any level

PSI Services (UK) Ltd B2, C1 and C2 (4 component)

(to be taken outside the UK)

B2 Pass

B2 Pass with Merit

B2 Pass with Merit

1 IELTS: please refer to section 'For Student Immigration Route applicants' below regarding our requirements. All results will be verified online.

2 Cambridge English (CPE) and (CAE): please note that we require your Candidate ID Number and Secret Number (these can be found on the candidate's Confirmation of Entry which you would have received from the exam centre) to verify your results. Applicants can share their results with our university via the Candidate Results Website and to access this website applicants must register using their ‘Candidate ID’ and ‘Secret Number’ (obtained from their exam centre).

3 Pearson PTE (Academic): all results will be verified online.

4 TOEFL iBT: candidates can send their scores directly to our university by using the Designated Institution (DI) code number B460.

5 OET: all results will be verified online.

6 LanguageCert International ESOL B2: please refer to section 'For Student Immigration Route applicants' below regarding our requirements for HNC/D. All results will be verified online.

If you are unable to book an approved English Language test due to closures, please contact admissions@uhi.ac.uk

For Student Immigration Route applicants

Approved UK qualifications content

Approved UK qualifications

Approved UK qualifications

Qualifications HNC/D UG PG

International Baccalaureate English Syllabus A

Valid for 5 years

4 in Higher level
5 in Standard level

4 in Higher level
5 in Standard level

5 in Higher level
6 in Standard level

International Baccalaureate English Syllabus B

Valid for 5 years

4 in Higher level
5 in Standard level
4 in Higher level
5 in Standard level
5 in Higher level
6 in Standard level

Cambridge IGCSE English1

Valid for 5 years

Grade C or above in English as a First Language

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language

Grade C or above in English as a First Language

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language

Grade B or above in English as a First Language

Grade A or above in English as a Second Language

A-level English and/or Literature

Valid for 5 years

Grade E Grade D  

AS-level English and/or Literature

Valid for 5 years

Grade C Grade C  

Irish Leaving Certificate English

Valid for 5 years

HL Grade C3; SL grade A1

HL Grade B3

 

SQA Higher ESOL

Valid for 5 years

National 5

National 5

National 5

1 Cambridge IGCSE: please refer to section "On-campus study in Scotland via Student Immigration Route" section of this page regarding our requirements for HNC/D. All results will be verified online.

Approved EU/EEA qualifications for nationals of the following countries content

Approved EU/EEA qualifications for nationals of the following countries

Approved EU/EEA qualifications for nationals of the following countries

Country Qualifications UG PG

Austria

Matura/Reifeprüfung

Valid for 5 years

Grade 2 or above both written and oral parts

Grade 2 or above both written and oral parts

Belgium

Secondary Diploma

Valid for 5 years

8 or 80% 8 or 80%

Czech Republic

Maturita

Valid for 5 years

2%

1%

Denmark

Studentereksamen

Valid for 5 years

7 7

Estonia

Riigieksamitunnistus (State Examination)

Valid for 5 years

70% 70%

Finland

Ylioppilastutkintotdistus/Studentexamensbetyg English A

Valid for 5 years

5

5

France

French Baccalaureate - English

Valid for 5 years

14

14

Baccalaureate l'Option Internationale - English

Valid for 5 years

12 12
Germany

Abitur

Valid for 5 years

12 12
Hungary

School Leaving exam (Érettségi bizonyítvány / Matura English test)

Valid for 5 years

4 4
Italy

Diploma di Esame di Stato (formerly Diploma di Maturita)

Valid for 5 years

80% in English as a second language 80% in English as a second language
Latvia

Atestats

Valid for 5 years

8 8
Lithuania

Brandos Atestatas

Valid for 5 years

70% 70%
Luxemburg

Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires

Valid for 5 years

45 (bien) 45 (bien)
Malta

Second Education Certificate

Valid for 5 years

C / 4 C / 4
Netherlands

Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs

Valid for 5 years

8 8
Norway

VVO

Valid for 5 years

4 5
Poland

Matura English Extended Examination

Valid for 5 years

70% 75%
Romania

Diploma du Bacalaureat

Valid for 5 years

B2 B2
Spain

Título de Bachillerato (or Curso de Orientación Universitaria / COU)

Valid for 5 years

8/10 in English as a second language 8/10 in English as a second language
Sweden

Fullständig Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan

Valid for 5 years

12 12
Switzerland

Maturitatzeugnis Certificat de Maturité Attestato de Maturità

Valid for 5 years

5 5
Approved non-EU/EEA qualifications for nationals of the following countries content

Approved non-EU/EEA qualifications for nationals of the following countries

Approved non-EU/EEA qualifications for nationals of the following countries

Country Qualifications HNC/D UG PG

Botswana

Ordinary level - degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

 

C

C

Brunei

Brunei Cambridge GCE O’ Level English (1120 Syllabus)

Valid for 5 years

  C C

Cameroon

Ordinary level

Valid for 5 years

C

C

C

Canada

Year 11 certificate - Must be taught through medium of English, check for French institutions where non-Canadian national

Valid for 5 years

Pass Pass Pass

The Gambia

West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) from The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

Valid for 5 years

D7 C6 C5

Ghana

West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) from The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

Valid for 5 years

D7 C6 C5

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Valid for 5 years

3 overall

3 overall

4 overall

Hong Kong: HKCEE

Valid for 5 years

 

3 or above

3 or above

India

Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

or Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC) from the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

Valid for 5 years

65%

70%

75%

State Board Examinations from the following states:

Karnataka State
Maharashtra State
Tamil Nadu State
West Bengal State
Telangana (2018 board onwards ONLY)
Andhra Pradesh (2018 board onwards ONLY)

Valid for 5 years

  75% 80%
Kenya

Certificate of Secondary Education - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C C  
Liberia

West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) from The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

D7 C6 C5
Malawi

Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) from Malawi National Examinations Board (MNEB) - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

6 6 6
Malaysia

Cambridge O Level (1119) or STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) - Malaysia Higher School Certificate

Valid for 5 years

C C C

Degrees or diplomas taught through the medium of English

Valid for 5 years

Pass Pass Pass
Mauritius

Cambridge O Level (1125)

Valid for 5 years

C C C
Namibia

Senior Certificate - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C C  
Nigeria

West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) from The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

Valid for 5 years

D7 C6 C5

Senior School Certificate (SSC) from National Examinations Council (NECO)

Valid for 5 years

C6 C5 C4

Degrees or diplomas taught through the medium of English

Valid for 5 years

Pass Pass Pass
Sierra Leone

West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) from The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

D7 C6 C5
Singapore

Cambridge O Level (1127) - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C 6 C 6 C 5

Degrees or diplomas taught through the medium of English

Valid for 5 years

Pass Pass Pass
South Africa

National Senior Certificate (NSC)

Valid for 5 years

4 4 5
Tanzania

Certificate of Secondary Education - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C C C
Uganda

UCE - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C C C
USA

High School Diploma - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C C C
Zambia

Zambia School Certificate - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C 6 C 6 C 5
Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level - Degrees taught in English

Valid for 5 years

C C C
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On-campus study in Scotland via Student Immigration Route

To study with us in person in Scotland, these are the requirements:

Students from majority English speaking countries content

Students from majority English speaking countries

Students from majority English speaking countries

  • If you are from, or have studied in, a country that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) consider to be a majority English speaking country then you may not have to prove your English language ability for visa purposes.
  • The UK government classifies a number of overseas countries as majority native English speaking. Full details can be found on the UK Government website (www.gov.uk)
Students from non-majority English speaking countries content

Students from non-majority English speaking countries

Students from non-majority English speaking countries

  • For entry to HNC/D programmes: we require either an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) or a LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 test that must have been taken at a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved test centre: List of UKVI approved test centres
  • For entry to degree and postgraduate degree programmes: we accept all of the above listed tests for entry to degree and postgraduate programmes as long as we are able to verify them. Please note that we will accept an IELTS (Academic) test that has been taken at any test centre, so this means you do not need to take this at a UKVI approved centre.
For international applicants who have EU settled/pre-settled status or those with visas that are not part of the Student immigration Route, or those studying from their home country content

For international applicants who have EU settled/pre-settled status or those with visas that are not part of the Student immigration Route, or those studying from their home country

For international applicants who have EU settled/pre-settled status or those with visas that are not part of the Student immigration Route, or those studying from their home country

Other evidence of proficiency in English may be considered on an individual basis, but they must meet the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) B2 level in all four components of listening, reading, speaking and writing.

Accessing IELTS centres content

Accessing IELTS centres

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For applicants who do not require a student visa, knowledge of English or Scottish Gaelic may be considered.