Acceptable English Language tests

This page contains a guide to the only acceptable English language tests that can be used to meet a condition of offer (normally made in terms of IELTS scores) made by the University of Reading.

If the test you are intending to take is not listed, please contact the Admissions Team for advice using the details on the right.

Please note that this information may change as rules on acceptability change so please do keep checking back.

Tests acceptable for entry onto a Pre-sessional English programme

Test provider	Test name
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI (acceptable for online PSE only)
Cambridge	IELTS Online (acceptable for online PSE only)
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency (currently acceptable for online PSE only) Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced (currently acceptable for online PSE only) Note: Name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards.
Duolingo	Duolingo English - please note that for 2023/4 programmes we accept 'Integrated' sub scores but for 2024/5 programmes onward we only accept 'Individual' sub scores. (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
ETS	TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
ETS	TOEFL at homeiBT (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
LanguageCert	LanguageCert Academic SELT (test needs to have been taken at a UKVI approved centre unless you are applying for online PSE)
LanguageCert	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) (test needs to have been taken at a UKVI approved centre unless you are applying for online PSE)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) (currently acceptable for online PSE only)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) UKVI (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Trinity	Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)

Tests acceptable for entry onto The International Foundation Programme

Test provider	Test name
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Business English Higher (BEC Higher)/C1 Business Higher- For Business, Economics and Related programmes only. (currently only acceptable for the Online programme) Note: Name change to C1 Business Higher from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English:Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced (currently only acceptable for the Online programme) Note: name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency (currently only acceptable for the Online programme) Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI (only acceptable for students who do not require a student visa to study in the UK)
Cambridge	IELTS Online (only acceptable for students who do not require a student visa to study in the UK)
ETS	TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) (only acceptable for students who do not require a student visa to study in the UK)
ETS	TOEFL at homeiBT (only acceptable for students who do not require a student visa to study in the UK)
LanguageCert	LanguageCert Academic SELT (test needs to have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
LanguageCert	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) (test needs to have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Trinity	Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) (only acceptable for students who do not require a student visa to study in the UK)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) UKVI (test must have been taken at a UKVI approved centre)
ONCAMPUS	ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE) (only acceptable for students who do not require a student visa to study in the UK)
Various	GCE English O level (from Cambridge Examinations) (only acceptable for students who do not require a student visa to study in the UK)
Various	GCSE English (only if awarded by an Ofqual regulated awarding body and you have spent time studying at a UK school under the age of 18.)

Tests acceptable for entry onto an Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research programme

Test provider	Test name
BGCS	Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education
Brit Language Centre Thailand	Heriot Watt University PSE Course
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Business English Higher (BEC Higher)/C1 Business Higher - For Business, Economics and Related programmes only. Note: Name change to C1 Business Higher from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced Note: Name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	Cambridge English:Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards.
Cambridge	GCE O Level English Language 1119 Malaysia (Awarded up to 2020)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic)
Cambridge	IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT
Cambridge	IELTS Online
CBSE/ ICSE/ State boards	Indian Standard XII English (English Core/ English Elective/ Functional English)
CSE	National Examinations Council of Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (or Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Duolingo	Duolingo English please note that for 2024/5 programmes we accept 'Integrated' sub scores but for 2025/6 programmes onward we only accept 'Individual' sub scores. Note: Not acceptable for Speech & Language Therapy programmes
ETS	TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769)
ETS	TOEFL at home iBT
French Ministry for National Education	Baccalauréat (only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
Germany	Abitur (only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
Hong Kong diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)	A score of 4 or 5* in English depending on programme applied for (only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)	International Baccalaureate Diploma (only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme)
KCSE	Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
LanguageCert	LanguageCert Academic (SELT and Online versions)
LanguageCert	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B2 level or above) (SELT and Online versions)
Malawi SCE	Malawi School Certificate of Education
Malaysian SPM1119 awarded 2021 onward	English (Bahasa Inggeris)
Mauritius (awarded by Cambridge)	Mauritian School Certificate in English (awarded by Cambridge)
NECO (verified)	Senior School Certificate (only verified NECO results can be accepted)
National Examinations Council of Tanzania	Certificate of Secondary Education/ Secondary School Leaving Certificate
ONCAMPUS	ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE) (only if you are applying for an undergraduate programme or one of the named PGT Pre-masters pathway degrees)
Oxford International Education Group	Oxford ELLT
Pearson	PTE (Academic)
Pearson	PTE (Academic) UKVI
South Africa	National Senior Certificate/ Senior Certificate
Swaziland GCSE	Swaziland General Certificate of Secondary Education
Trinity	Integrated Skills in English (ISE)II, III, IV
UCE	Uganda Certificate of Education
University of Reading	Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP)
Various	GCE English O level (from Cambridge Examinations)
Various	GCSE English
Various	IGCSE English as a first language.
Various	IGCSE English as a Second language(grade B minimum).
WAEC (verified)	Year 12 certificate in English (only verified WAECs are accepted)
Zambia	School Certificate/ General Certificate of Education
Zimbabwe	GCE O level

My offer asks for an overall score of 7.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 7.0 with no element less than 6.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 7.0 with no element less than 6.0 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 6.5 with no element less than 6.0 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 6.5 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 5.5 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 6.0 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 5.5 in IELTS

My offer asks for an overall score of 5.0 in IELTS

Acceptable English Language tests

Tests acceptable for entry onto a Pre-sessional English programme

Tests acceptable for entry onto The International Foundation Programme

Tests acceptable for entry onto an Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research programme

International Foundation Programme

Undergraduate Programmes(full- and part-time)

Postgraduate (taught and research) Programmes

PGCE Programmes

Pre-sessional English Language Programmes