English language requirements (2023)

FAQs

What is the English language requirement? ›

The English Language requirement is where the rules require an applicant on a particular route to show that they have a specified level of English language ability.

Universities will state their English language requirements in various tests: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Cambridge English Advanced (also known as the Certificate in Advanced English/CAE or Cambridge ESOL).

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ( CEFR ) scale. You can prove your knowledge of English by: passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.

To become a British citizen or to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain), the required British Citizenship English language test is B1 SELT of the CEFR. This test is one of the Home Office's lists of approved English Language.

The CA ELD Standards define three proficiency levels—Emerging, Expanding, and Bridging*—to describe the stages of English language development through which ELs are expected to progress as they improve their abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing English.

The six levels within the CEFR are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. With these levels, you can easily work out your ability in around 40 different languages. The levels are often used casually by language learners to explain their ability at speaking, reading, writing and understanding a language.

Most conversations are held at B2 level, so you can speak with natives without difficulty and with spontaneity. You can also understand the main ideas of texts about topics you are familiar with. You can express yourself fluently in almost any situation, without the need to search for expressions.

Can you go to university with a 4 in English? ›

Regardless of the subject you want to study, the majority of university courses look for at least a grade 4 or 5 in English, maths and perhaps science. Some university courses go further and ask for specific subjects at GCSE, with certain grades, so check directly with universities if you're in doubt.

Cambridge English requirements

Overall IELTS band score 5.5 Overall Cambridge English Scale score of 162, achievable in B2 First or C1 Advanced. Overall IELTS band score 6.5 No less than 6.0 in any skill Overall Cambridge English Scale score of 176 from C1 Advanced. No less than 169 in any paper.

Proficiency Levels

TOEFL iBT speaking score of 26 and above or IELTS 8 and above—GSAS oral English language requirement is met.

24 Credit Hours or More. Successfully completing two years of the same foreign language in high school will complete the university-level foreign language requirement.

English level A1 is the first level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level would be called “beginner”, and indeed, that is the official level descriptor in the CEFR, also used by EF SET.

Intermediate level B1+

For participants who already master level B1. You learn to understand standard speech on familiar and unfamiliar topics. You learn to describe experiences, events and ambitions and to briefly explain opinions and plans.

Level B2 corresponds to a more advanced, more independent level than previous levels. A B2 user can communicate easily and spontaneously in a clear and detailed manner. This is not yet an experienced speaker, but a B2 user is able to understand and be understood in most situations.

Difference between B2 and C1

Based on a CEFR scale, the B2 level corresponds to the term being fluent. If a learner is fluent in their target language, then they know between 5,000 and 10,000 words in that language. As for the C1 level, it corresponds to being proficient in the target language.

The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User"). Let's take a look at what you should be able to communicate at the various levels set out by CERF.

How do you get C1 English level? ›

You can certify your C1 level of English by taking the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or the C1 Advanced. You can also choose the C1 Business Higher, the IELTS, the TOEIC, the TOEFL, or the Aptis, among others.

When we say that someone 'speaks' a language fluently, we usually mean that they have a high level in all four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing.

SKILLS AT LEVEL B1

Is able to understand the main points of clear texts in standard language if they are about topics with which they are familiar, whether in work, study or leisure contexts. Can cope with most of the situations that might arise on a trip to areas where the language is used.

There are 6 English levels determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These levels are expressed as A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. The CEFR English levels are widely accepted as the global standard for grading an individual's language proficiency.

Level C1 corresponds to proficient users of the language, i.e. those able to perform complex tasks related to work and study.

ICAO English Level 4 is minimum proficiency of English language to be demonstrated for operational use as a pilot or ATC. However some airlines or operators might have higher minimum standards for language proficiency.

You speak fluently and on point. It does not take you long to find right answer to question. You react swiftly - without making long pauses to think. Speech of ICAO English Level 5 holder is very fluent and straight-forward.

You can evaluate fluency by listening for a few different things such as how comfortable the student is, how easily he or she is able to form sentences, ideas, and thoughts, and how quickly the student can change from talking about one topic to the next.

The General English courses consist of four levels: Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate.

Is a 4 a pass in English Language? ›

The Department for Education recognises grade 4 and above as a 'standard pass' in all subjects. A grade 4 or above marks a similar achievement to the old grade C or above. It is a credible achievement for a young person that should be valued as a passport to future study and employment.

Equivalent GCSE grades

The Government has said that grade 4 is a 'standard pass'. Grade 5 is a 'strong pass' and equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system. Grade 4 remains the level that students must achieve without needing to resit English and Maths post-16.

Most universities that have course vacancies during Clearing will be prepared to accept you if your grades are below their entry requirements as long as you sound passionate and are right for the degree subject. They may also accept you based on the UCAS points you've accumulated rather than you final grades.

A beginner can learn English in a year. That's pretty fast, although not as fast as some of the crazy 15-day promises you see online. Specifically, a year is the average amount of time it will take an adult to become fluent enough to work in English if he starts out as a beginner and studies at least 5 hours a day.

Proficiency is measured in terms of receptive and expressive language skills, syntax, vocabulary, semantics, and other areas that demonstrate language abilities. There are four domains to language proficiency: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Many people find this test section one of the hardest if they haven't prepared ahead of time using test prep tools, or by listening to English music or by watching English television shows. This section of the exam requires you to complete two writing tasks.

How long is an IELTS score valid? An IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is valid for two (2) years. How soon can a candidate resit the test? A candidate may resit the IELTS test at any time.

The only eligibility for the IELTS exam in India and across the globe is that a candidate needs to be at least 16 years. Anybody aged 16 or above can take this examination, irrespective of their gender, nationality, or background. Exceptions are only made when a school needs the IELTS scores for admission purposes.

1. Harvard GPA Requirements. Harvard applicants must be at the top of their class and meet the minimum GPA requirements for acceptance into the college. While there are a small number of exceptions, students with GPAs of 4.0 - 4.18 have the best chance of getting accepted.

What is the minimum grade to get into Harvard? ›

In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class.

However, most colleges require a minimum of two years of a foreign language to be considered for admission. Many colleges recommend at least three years of the same world language in high school for a student to be competitive in the admissions pool. Four years makes a student more attractive.

Age. Applicants aged under 18 or 65 or over on the date of application (which is calculated according to the definition of 'date of application' in paragraph 6 of the Immigration Rules) do not need to meet the English language requirement.

However, from an academic standpoint, it is important to know that it is compulsory that you pass GCSE English Language with a grade 4 or above. This does not apply to GCSE English Literature.

Maths, English and Science are the core subjects everyone must take at GCSE in England and Wales. English Language is compulsory in all schools and so is English Literature in the majority of schools in England, but there are exceptions, so do make sure you check.

Learning a new language involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, sometimes even a new alphabet and writing format. If you focus exclusively on just one activity, the others fall behind. This is actually a common pitfall for language learners.

An applicant is exempt from meeting the English language requirement if they have a disability (a physical or mental condition) that prevents them from meeting the requirement. You must check the application form to see whether the applicant has said this exemption applies to them.

Resit your GCSEs through your school

You can still enrol to retake your GCSEs at a local school or college. This means you'll have a timetable and attend classes with other GCSE students. For Maths and English, resitting is compulsory if you haven't achieved a pass (grade 4).

Minimum of four GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C) including English and maths, or to be able to demonstrate the ability to achieve grade 9-4 (A*-C). In some cases, specific subjects and grades at GCSE will be required. Some courses require completion of a relevant Level 2.

Do you get 2 GCSE for English? ›

English has been split into two distinct and separate GCSEs; English Language and English Literature. No longer is there a GCSE that mixes the two. Coursework does not count at all towards the final mark any more. All students will sit the same exam, and unlike the new maths GCSE, there will be no tiering.

In short, no. According to government guidelines, it is not compulsory for you to study a foreign language at GCSE (or in Scotland, National 5). However, in Wales, while you do not have to study a foreign language it is compulsory for you to study both English and Welsh as a part of your GCSEs.

There are no compulsory subjects with A Levels. Instead, students are free to choose the topics that interest them the most or feel will benefit them for their future studies or careers. Students typically study three subjects.

A0/A1 English (Beginner/Elementary)

Level A0/A1 corresponds to basic users of English who can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.

When described as a system of symbolic communication, language is traditionally seen as consisting of three parts: signs, meanings, and a code connecting signs with their meanings.

There are 6 English levels determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These levels are expressed as A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. The CEFR English levels are widely accepted as the global standard for grading an individual's language proficiency.

English Language Exemptions

Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).

A. Yes, it is possible to study in UK without IELTS. For this, you should have to fulfill English requirements such as having a proof of over 70% in English in High School or taking an online interview conducted by the university or proof of English as your medium of instruction in your school.

You may be exempt from providing a TOEFL or IELTS score if one of the following criteria is met: You have completed at least one full year of full time higher education, taught in English, at an accredited higher education institution in an English speaking country (UK, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada)