Study at Birkbeck | MPhil/PhD degrees | Entry requirements | English language qualifications
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English language qualifications

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English: you will be asked to demonstrate competence in the English language. Although we can consider a variety of tests, our normal requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Minimum IELTS score required

  • Although we can consider a variety of tests, our normal requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Minimum TOEFL score

  • The main alternative to IELTS is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). We would look for a TOEFL score of:
    • 580, plus 4 in the Test of Written English (TWE) paper-based test
    • 91 in the Internet-based test, with at least 24 out of 30 in the reading and writing sub-tests

Programmes that require higher scores

  • Some programmes may require higher scores. For example, arts management, English, humanities, law and management require:
    • IELTS 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each of the sub-tests
    • TOEFL 600, plus 5 in the TWE paper-based test
    • TOEFL 100 in the Internet-based test
  • Exact requirements are stipulated by admissions tutors.

English language, academic writing and study skills support

  • We offer a range of academic support courses covering
  • Many of these are designed specifically for postgraduate-level students and include courses on how to prepare a dissertation.