Entry requirements
All Erasmus+ students must be nominated by their home university. Students must meet the minimum entry requirements of The University of Manchester.
The University of Manchester has high academic standards and our entry requirements reflect this. In order to apply to study abroad at The University of Manchester you must satisfy the criteria below.
You should also check with your home university as to whether they have any requirements you have to meet in order to be eligible to study abroad.
Current undergraduate
You must be a current undergraduate of a university or college of higher education and be in good standing at that institution.
Academic standing
We normally require at least a B average. This average should be maintained during the period of study immediately preceding the semester or year to be spent at The University of Manchester.
English Language entry requirements
University of Manchester admissions requirements
While we do not ask for language proficiency certificates from Erasmus+ students for admissions* purposes, all students are expected to have English language proficiency to the minimum levels given below.
*Please note that UK immigration requirements may be different to our institutional admissions requirements, and Erasmus+ students may still need to provide a language proficiency certificate for external visa application purposes.
The standard admissions requirement is IELTS 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in any one component.
Please note that certain subject areas require higher scores as follows:
IELTS | TOEFL iBT | |
Archaeology | 7 | 100 |
Business, Management, Accounting and Finance | 6.5 | 90 |
Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science | 6, with 5.5 in any component | 80, with 20 in each component |
Chemistry | 6, with 5.5 in any component | 80, with 20 in each component |
Classics | 7 | 100 |
Computer Science | 6, with 5.5 in any component | 87, with 21 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking |
Criminology | 7, with 6.5 in each component | 100, with not less than 24 in each component |
Drama | 7 | 100 |
Earth, Atmospheric and Environment Sciences | 6.5, with 6 in any component | 90, with 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking |
Education | 6.5, with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in any other component | 90 |
English Language | 7, with 7 in Writing | 100 |
English Literature/American Studies | 7, with 7 in Writing | 100 |
Geography | 6.5 | 90 |
History | 7 | 100 |
History of Art | 7 | 100 |
Language/Cultural Studies | 6.5 | 90, with 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing |
Law | 7, with 6.5 in each component | 100, with 24 in each component |
Leisure | 7, with 5.5 in each component | 100 |
Life Sciences | 6.5, with 6.5 in any component | 90 |
Linguistics | 6.5 | 90 |
Materials | 6, with 5.5 in any component | 80, with 20 in each component |
Mathematics | 6, with 5.5 in any component and not less than 6 in Writing | 80, with 20 in each component |
Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering | 6, with 5.5 in any component | 87, with 21 in each component |
Music | 7 | 100 |
Physics and Astronomy | 6, with 5.5 in any component | 80, with 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking |
Planning | 7 | 100, with 25 in Writing and 22 in the other components |
Psychology | 6.5, with 6.5 in any component | 90 |
Religions and Theology | 7 | 100 |
Social Sciences (Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Social Anthropology, Sociology) | 6.5, with 6 in any component | 92, with 21 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking |
We also accept equivalent scores in TOEFL, Pearson Test of English and Cambridge Secure English Language Tests.
UK Visas and Immigration English language requirements
Non-UK/Irish passport holders whose first language is not English, and who are applying to study with us for six calendar months or more under the Erasmus+ programme, need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate for external UK immigration purposes.
This certificate must show that you meet UK Visas and Immigration's language requirements. These are IELTS with a minimum score of 5.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any individual component.
If you have taken any other SELT, please contact us for information on the minimum scores required.
Please note that if you need a Study Visa (required for study longer than six months) and do not meet UK Visas and Immigration's minimum requirements for this visa, you will not be able to study with us (regardless of whether you meet the University's own admissions requirements), unless:
- you take another SELT which shows that your scores have improved to the UKVI's required level; or
- you apply for, and successfully complete, a Pre-Sessional English Language course, which brings you up to the UK Visas and Immigration required minimum. Our pre-sessional English courses can be found on the University Centre for Academic English website. Please note these courses incur a cost.
We will be unable to issue a CAS for you, which is needed to apply for a Study Visa, unless your test was taken within two years of the start of your course at Manchester and you have met the minimum test scores required. Students who do not meet UKVI English language requirements for a Study Visa will not be able to study in the UK for longer than one semester.
Please note that regardless of your first language, if you are not a national (ie passport-holder) of a 'majority English-speaking country', you will always be required to supply evidence of your English language ability.
We advise you to check the UK Visas and Immigration website before proceeding with your application, as their information/requirements may change at short notice.