English Language Requirements

You can find out more information on the English language requirements for admission onto one of our courses below.

The University requires all students to demonstrate sufficient academic English language proficiency to undertake and derive full benefit from their chosen programme of study. This page acts a guide to help you meet the English language requirements for your chosen course.

Students who are not a national of a Majority English Speaking Country, as recognised by the, must meet the English language requirements of their intended programme of study.

The minimum English language qualifications that we will accept are equivalent to:

Undergraduate

IELTS	6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each language skill

Postgraduate

IELTS	6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each language skill

Please check the individual course page for specific English language requirements relating the course you are applying for as they may vary from the scores listed above.

Please note some QMU online courses may accept alternative qualifications and scores - please see individual course pages to see if this applies.

English Language Tests

We accept a wide range of English language tests, including Secure English Language Tests (SELT) from a UKVI approved test centre as well as non-SELT tests. Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in all four language components. The University will accept the following English language tests as evidence of meeting the English language requirement;

IELTS Academic
IELTS Indicator
TOEFL iBT qualifications (taken outside the UK only)
Pearson’s Test of English (PTE Academic), see for more information.
LanguageCert Academic or International ESOL SELT
PSI Services: Skills for English UKVI (overseas only)
Trinity - Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (UK only)
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Cambridge First Certificate (CFE) - this must show results at minimum CEFR B2 level.
Oxford ELLT

Your English language test must still be valid at the beginning of your chosen degree programme, usually this is 2 years from the date of the test.

We do not accept the following as evidence of English language ability:

Duolingo
WAEC - West African Examination Certificates

Previous Study at Degree Level in English

We may accept an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree that was taught and assessed in English. You will need to supply evidence that the qualification was taught and assessed in English, such as a letter of English proficiency from the awarding institution. The degree must have been completed within five years prior to the course start and if you need a CAS for a Visa and do not hold an English language test, you may also be required to undertake a phone or Skype interview.

School Level Qualifications

There are some school-level qualifications we may accept as meeting English language requirements for entry to our undergraduate degree programmes, including;

International Baccalaureate Diploma
European Baccalaureate, where it was taught with English as the first language at a minimum grade 6.0
SQA Higher qualifications, with a minimum grade C in Higher English or Higher ESOL
A-Levels (studied in English) along with a minimum GCSE grade C in English
SQA HNC along with a minimum National 5 grade C in English
SQA HND
Irish Leaving Certificate to include English at a minimum Higher grade H3

Other academic qualifications may also be accepted, so please get in touch with Admissions (admissions@qmu.ac.uk) if you would like feedback on the qualifications you hold.

Pre-Sessional English Courses

Queen Margaret University recognises the online Pre-sessional course completed at Oxford International Digital Institute for courses which require an IELTs overall score of 7.0 or below. For further information and to look at available dates, please refer to the .

More information about the Oxford International Digital Institute course

Course details:

10 hours of live online classes per week (Monday-Friday)
Live Tuition with highly experienced English language teachers
10 hours guided self-study per week
Customised study journey for each learner

Course options:

6 WEEKS (0.5 level increase in IELTS)
Flexible start dates
1:1 Tuition available where required
SAVE 10% - Students booking for September 2024 intake save 10% with special introductory prices!

Pre-Sessional English Online Course (Oxford International Digital Institute)

English language support

The Effective Learning Service offers free language support to all international students at 17�Թ��. This support takes the form of individual drop-in tutorials.

International students can also attend any of the programme of study skills workshops which is offered by the Effective Learning Service. These are small and informal sessions, held in the Effective Learning Centre.

Contact us

For further information on being an International student at QMU, please contact international@qmu.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can call us on +44 131 474 0099.