We have both academic and English language entry requirements for our courses. Please see the tabs at the bottom of this page for our academic entry requirements. Below are the English language tests we accept for applicants whose first language is not English.
Please note: there may be exceptions if you have previously completed a recognised academic qualification taught and assessed in English.
Our preferred tests are IELTS (Academic), TOEFL iBT and Pearson PTE (Academic), so we recommend you take one of these if possible.
We also recognise the following qualifications/tests:
We are aware that in a number of locations, these tests have been suspended in line with official requirements of healthcare authorities, due to COVID-19.
If your country is affected by such test centre closures, we will accept the following alternative tests:
With all of the above tests, we reserve the right to undertake additional English language verification at the CAS issuance stage (for Tier 4 students). English tests must have been taken within the past two years to be accepted.
To join the first year of our undergraduate course you’ll need one of the following.
If you've already completed one or two years of study
If you've completed study at university level in the UK or your home country you may be eligible to enter directly into Year 2 or 3 of a related degree course at ARU. Find out more about transferring to ARU.
If English is not your first language you'll need to be able to show you have the required level of English language. This is so we can ensure you'll be able to follow your course.
Our standard entry criteria for undergraduate courses is IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, with nothing lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Do note that some of our courses may have higher English language proficiency requirements; for specific details and exceptions regarding IELTS, please visit your course page of choice.
Please note that any student requiring a SELT for pre-sessional English course must ensure that they take their IELTS at an approved test centre.
We also accept the following English language tests as equivalent to IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each element:
If you already hold an English language qualification, please send us a copy to internationaladmissions@aru.ac.uk. We will be able to advise you if we can accept this as an equivalent qualification.
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country please contact our country managers.
For entry into a postgraduate taught course you'll need one of the following.
If English is not your first language you'll need to be able to show you have the required level of English language. This is so we can ensure you'll be able to follow your course.
Our standard entry criteria for postgraduate courses is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with nothing lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Do note that some of our courses may have higher English language proficiency requirements; for specific details and exceptions regarding IELTS, please visit your course page of choice.
Please note that any student requiring a SELT for pre-sessional or study below degree level must ensure that they take their IELTS at an approved test centre.
We also accept the following English language tests as equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each element:
If you already hold an English language qualification, please send us a copy to internationaladmissions@aru.ac.uk. We will be able to advise you if we can accept this as an equivalent qualification.
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country please contact our country managers.
For entry into a postgraduate research course you'll need one of the following:
For more information about entry requirements, please visit our postgraduate research course pages
If English is not your first language you'll need to be able to show you have the required level of English language. This is so we can ensure you'll be able to follow your course.
Our standard requirement for all research degrees is IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each component. Please note that some of our courses may have higher English language proficiency requirements; for specific details and exceptions regarding IELTS, please visit your course page of choice.
Please note that any student requiring a SELT for a pre-sessional English course must ensure that they take their IELTS at an approved test centre. We also accept the following English language tests as equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each element: ETS TOEFL iBT with 88 overall and a minimum of 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking Pearson PTE with 61 overall and a minimum of 59 in all components.
If you already hold an English language qualification, please send us a copy to research-admissions@aru.ac.uk. We will be able to advise you if we can accept this as an equivalent qualification.
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country please contact our country managers.
If you don't yet meet the standard academic requirements to study at Anglia Ruskin University, you can prepare with our partners, ARU College.
ARU College offers a number of foundation, year 1 and Pre-master’s pathways onto over 100 Anglia Ruskin University Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. This option may be suitable for you if you don't quite meet the ARU entry requirements, are looking for more flexible start times or enhanced support at the start of your University career.