English language requirements

For Student Route visa purposes, the UKVI has a prescribed list of Majority English-speaking countries (this list is not defined by The University of Manchester).

If you are a national of one of the following countries (or have a bachelor’s degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• UK
• USA

You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies:

• you’re a national of Canada;
• you’re applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA;
• you proved your level of English in a previous visa application.

For courses below degree-level

A UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) is required if you are joining a course below degree-level, including:

• separate/non-integrated foundation courses;
• separate/non-integrated Pre-Sessional English courses;
• separate/non-integrated English for Academic Purposes courses. 

These are taken in person in a UKVI-approved secure English language testing centre.

The UKVI-recognised SELTs are: 

• IELTS Academic (UKVI);
• Pearson PTE Academic (UKVI);
• LanguageCert International ESOL (UKVI) – 4-skill;
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills ISE – ISE II, ISE III or ISE IV (available in UK only).

Please note that IELTS, Pearson and Trinity ISE are only valid for two years after the test date. 

For entry to degree-level study or higher

We accept a wide range of tests if you are joining a degree-level course or above, including: 

• an undergraduate degree;
• a postgraduate degree;
• an integrated course with a joint CAS (where a foundation year or pre-sessional English course are part of the full bachelor’s degree). Please note: a UKVI-approved test or Secure English Language Test (SELT), as defined above, is required for a joint CAS, for example IELTS UKVI version.

Some of the most common tests include: 

• IELTS Academic (UKVI and non-UKVI versions);
• Pearson PTE Academic (UKVI and non-UKVI versions);
• LanguageCert International ESOL (UKVI version only);
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills ISE – ISE II, ISE III or ISE IV (available in UK only);
• Cambridge Advanced (CAE/C1 Advanced) and Cambridge Proficiency (CPE/C2 Proficiency);
• TOEFL iBT;
• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (2022 entry only) – further information can be found on our COVID-19 advice pages. 

Please note that IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL and ISE are only valid for two years after the test date.

Each course and programme we offer has its own requirements in terms of English test scores. Please refer to the course profiles for details of specific English language scores that are acceptable for entry.

Although score requirements vary by course, typical scores for entry to Manchester are summarised below (sub-skill scores may also apply):

For 2022 entry: In order to comply with UKVI requirements, if you require a student visa and choose to sit Pearson PTE, an overall score of 59 with no less than 59 in each component will be required for visa purposes.

We also accept some English language qualifications from other countries, depending on the University’s assessment of its academic suitability. You can check if your qualification is accepted by contacting the International Office team. 

Although requirements vary by course, typical scores for common overseas English language qualifications include:

If you have a qualification that is not listed above, you can ask the Admissions Office of the School to which you are applying whether your qualification is acceptable.

When enquiring, please inform the School of:

• the name, level and date of the qualification;
• the country in which it was taken; and
• the scores you obtained.

If possible, please send a scanned copy of the certificate and transcripts, showing as much of the above information as possible.

You can find the relevant admissions contact details on your course profile page, or contact the International Office.