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.