English language entry requirements

Birkbeck accepts the following tests of English:

• IELTS (takeielts.britishcouncil.org)
• TOEFL (www.ets.org/toefl)
• Pearson PTE Academic (pearsonpte.com)
• Cambridge English for Higher Education (www.cambridgeesol.org)

For most degree courses (Bachelor's, Master's and PhD), we expect successful applicants to demonstrate the following levels of English language by the time they expect to start their studies:

General requirements for undergraduate, postgraduate and MPhil/PhD courses

• IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 in each of the sub tests)
• TOEFL Internet-based test: 92 (with at least 24/30 in reading and writing sub-tests)
• TOEFL Paper-based test: 580, plus 4 in Test of Written English
• Pearsons PTE Academic test: 60 (with at least 60 in each sub test)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English Pass at Grade C
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English Pass at Grade B
• Please note: the Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life or TOEIC qualifications would not normally be accepted.
• If you would like to enquire about the equivalence of other English Language qualifications not listed above, such as pre-sessional or pre-Master's programmes from other universities, please contact the International Students Administration Team: isa@bbk.ac.uk

Requirements for courses in Arts Policy, English Literature, Law and Psychology

• IELTS 7.0 (with 6.0 in each of the sub tests, Arts Policy requires a minimum of 7.0 in all sub-tests)
• TOEFL Internet-based test: 100 (with at least 24/30 reading and writing sub-tests)
• TOEFL Paper-based test: 600, plus 5 in Test of Written English
• Pearsons PTE Academic test: 67 (with at least 67 in each sub test)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Pass at Grade B
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: Pass at Grade A
• Please note: the Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life or TOEIC qualifications would not normally be accepted.
• If you would like to enquire about the equivalence of other English Language qualifications not listed above, such as pre-sessional or pre-Master's programmes from other universities, please contact the International Students Administration Team: isa@bbk.ac.uk

TOEFL DI Code

• Please note that to have your results sent to Birkbeck directly, you will need to quote our DI code which is 9961.

If you have already studied in English

• Please note that if you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, unless you have already obtained a Bachelor's degree from a 'majority English-speaking country' as defined by the UKBA or are a national of one of these countries, then you will be asked to obtain an English language score equivalent to IELTS 5.5, with at least 5.5 in each subtest.  Full details on the tests accepted by the UKBA can be found here.

If you are still improving your English

• It is possible to apply to Birkbeck while you are working to improve your English, as long you reach our minimum requirements by the time you start your course.
• It may sometimes be possible to be accepted onto an academic programme with less than the above scores on the condition that you attend a pre-sessional programme approved by Birkbeck. Each case will be considered on its own merits.
• Find out about the English language and study skills courses offered at Birkbeck, University of London.