English language requirements

If you are an international student and/or English is not your first language, you need to pass an approved test to demonstrate that your level of English is suitable for postgraduate study. Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Test Minimum score requirement
IELTS

Overall 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each section

*For MSc International Business; MA Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations; MSc Consumer Analytics and Marketing Strategy; MSc International Marketing Management; MSc Marketing Management with Advertising, overall 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each section required.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

64 on PTE Academic, with at least 60 in each of the skills.

We do not accept PTE online.

*For MSc International Business; MA Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations; MSc Consumer Analytics and Marketing Strategy; MSc International Marketing Management; MSc Marketing Management with Advertising, a PTE with an overall score of at least 68 with no less than 64 in each section.

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) Grade C or above
TOEFL iBT

At least 88 overall with a minimum of 19 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.

Please note, we only accept TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores.

We do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.

*For MSc International Business; MA Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations; MSc Consumer Analytics and Marketing Strategy; MSc International Marketing Management; MSc Marketing Management with Advertising, a TOEFL iBT with an overall score of at least 95 with a minimum of 22 in reading, 22 in writing, 24 in speaking and 22 in listening.

LanguageCert Academic Test Centre

(IELTS 6.5 equivalent programmes) Overall 70, Reading 65, Writing 65, Speaking 65, Listening 65

(IELTS 7.0 equivalent programmes) Overall 75, Reading 70, Writing 70, Speaking 70, Listening 70

We do not accept LanguageCert Academic Online.


Other English language qualifications are also accepted. For a full list please refer to the acceptable English language qualifications listed on our entry requirements page. Applicants can view course-specific English requirements on the relevant course page.

Improve your English at Leeds

If English is not your first language, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course before you begin your studies. This can help if you:

  • don't meet the English language requirements for your course

or

  • want to improve your understanding of academic language and practices in your area of study.

Our six and ten week pre-sessional courses are designed with a progression route to the degree programme and are tailored to the subject area. To find the pre-sessional course that is suitable for your Masters degree, please visit the page for your Masters degree (find this from our Masters courses page) and check the ‘Applying, fees and funding’ tab.  

You can visit the Language Centre page for more information on improving your English to meet your offer.

If you need to study for longer to meet the requirements of your degree programme, the Language Centre also offers pre-sessional courses for longer periods, with starting points throughout the year.