Entry requirements

The University of Manchester has high academic standards and our entry requirements for international students on exchange programmes reflect this.

In order to apply to study abroad at The University of Manchester you must satisfy the following criteria.

You should also check with your home university as to whether there are any requirements that 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 require at least a B average or a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average for academic systems operating on a 4.0 scale.

You must maintain this average during the period of study immediately preceding the semester or year to be spent at The University of Manchester. You must be able to evidence at least two complete semesters of study on your academic transcript at the time of your application.

English language entry requirements

University of Manchester English language admissions requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, you must usually provide evidence of your English language proficiency as part of your application to study with us. This should be in the form of a recognised English Language Test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson Test of English or Cambridge Certificate, or an approved English language qualification (for example, Hong Kong O-level, Norwegian Vitnemal). If English is not your first language, but you are currently studying for a degree which is being taught entirely in English, you only need to supply a language certificate if you are applying for a Tier 4 Visa.

Your SELT must have been taken within two years prior to the start of your course at The University of Manchester, and must show that you meet or exceed our minimum requirements, which are a minimum of IELTS 6.0 overall (or equivalent), with no less than 5.5 in any individual component. This is a minimum requirement and students with scores at this minimum level must take a ten-credit ‘English Language in Use’ course unit as part of their semester course load.

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 not less than 5.5 in any component 80, with not less than 20 in each component
Chemistry 6, with not less than 5.5 in any component 80, with not less than 20 in each component
Classics 7 100
Computer Science 6, with not less than 5.5 in any component 87, with not less than 21 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking
Criminology 7, with not less than 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 not less than 6 in any component 90, with not less than 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
Education 6.5, with 6.5 in writing and not less than 6.0 in any other component 90
English Language 7, with not less than 7 in Writing 100
English Literature/American Studies 7, with not less than 7 in Writing 100
Geography 6.5 90
History 7 100
History of Art

7, with not less than 7 in writing

 100
Language/Cultural Studies 7, with not less than 6 in each component 100, with not less than 20 in each component
Law 7, with not less than 6.5 in each component 100, with not less than 24 in each component
Leisure 7, with not less than 5.5 in each component 100
Life Sciences 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in any component 90
Linguistics 7, with not less than 7 in Writing 100
Materials 6, with not less than 5.5 in any component 80, with not less than 20 in each component
Mathematics 6, with not less than 5.5 in any component and not less than 6 in Writing 80, with not less than 20 in each component
Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering 6, with not less than 5.5 in any component 87, with not less than 21 in each component
Music 7 100
Physics and Astronomy 6, with not less than 5.5 in any component 80, with not less than 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
Planning 7 100, with not less than 25 in Writing and 22 in the other components
Psychology 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in any component 90
Religions and Theology 7 100
Social Sciences (Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Social Anthropology, Sociology) 6.5, with not less than 6 in any component 92, with not less than 21 in Listening, 21 in Writing, 22 in Reading and 23 in Speaking

 

UK Visas and Immigration English language requirements

Non-native English speakers applying for a Student Visa (required for all students entering the UK for six calendar months or more) must also meet UK Visas and Immigration's requirements. These are:

  • IELTS with minimum score of 5.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any individual component;
  • iBT TOEFL with minimum scores of listening 17, reading 18, speaking 20, and writing 17.

If you have taken any other SELT, please contact us for information on the minimum scores required.

Please note that if you need a Student Visa for study, 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 UKBA'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 of Academic English website. Please note these courses incur a cost in all cases.

We will be unable to issue a CAS for you, which is needed to apply for a Student 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 the English language requirements of a Student Visa must apply for a student visitor visa and will only be able to study in the UK for a maximum of six months.

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.

Information for English Language Pathway (pre-sessional English) students

If you are applying for a pre-sessional English course, you must have a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) in every component. This applies to all students.  

If you would like to attend your pre-sessional course and your main course on a Student Visa and receive a single CAS for both courses, you must already have obtained a SELT with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) in every component.

If you have IELTS 4.0 (or equivalent) in every component but have not achieved IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) in every component, you will initially only be issued with a CAS for your pre-sessional course. At the end of your pre-sessional course, if you are assessed as meeting IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) in every component, you will receive a further CAS for the main course. There is support available on campus to assist you in making an application for a Student Visa extension, but please note that you must pay an additional fee for your second visa.