language requirements

To study at Manchester Metropolitan as an international student, you must be able to show you have a good command of English. This page gives examples of tests that we can accept and the minimum scores you need to achieve to study with us. 

The English language entry requirements detailed here are for guidance only. Some courses will have a higher English language requirement.

For entry to Manchester School of Architecture courses jointly awarded by Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester students must hold an English language qualification accepted by both universities.

Your offer letter will tell you the specific English language requirement for your course. 

English as a Foreign Language test results can normally only be considered to be current for two years from the test date.

We cannot accept students based on a combination of scores from different tests or different sittings of the same test. We assess applications based on the results of the most recent complete test sitting available.

  • Pre-Sessional English Courses

    If you do not currently meet the English language requirements for your course, you may be able to take a Pre-Sessional English Course with the University’s Language Centre. This means that you will not need to take an additional English test to enter your degree programme.

  • English Language Requirements for Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research courses

    Test

    Undergraduate Degree courses
    BA · BSc · BEng · MEng

    Postgraduate and Research courses
    MA · MSc · MRes · MPhil · PhD

    IELTS (Academic)

    Or

    IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

    Or

    IELTS Online (Academic)

    6.0, with no component below 5.5

    6.5, with no component below 5.5 for MA or MSc.

    6.5, with no less than 6.0 in any section for MRes, MPhil or PhD (except Business Research - see below)

    Pearson Test of English Academic (‘PTE Academic’)

    Or

    PTE Academic UKVI

    61, with no less than 59 in any section

    65, with no less than 59 in any section

    LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Written Exam (Listening, Reading and Writing) and Speaking Exam (taken from a test centre or online)

    Or

    LanguageCert SELT B2 Written Exam (Listening, Reading and Writing) and Speaking Exam

     Written Exam (includes Listening, Reading and Writing sections) B2 overall pass with no section below 33/50, and Spoken Exam B2 overall pass with minimum 33/50 Written Exam (includes Listening, Reading and Writing sections) B2 overall high pass (min. 101/150) with no section below 33/50, and Spoken Exam B2 overall pass with minimum 33/50

    Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency tests

    170 points overall, with no component below 160 points

    180 points overall, with no component below 160 points

    TOEFL iBT
    (from test centre or home edition)
    – Designated Institution Code, for applicants who want their scores sent directly to us: 0240

    Overall score: 79
    With no individual test score below:
    Listening: 17
    Reading: 18
    Speaking: 20
    Writing : 17

    Overall score: 89
    With no individual test score below:
    Listening: 17
    Reading: 18
    Speaking: 20
    Writing : 17

    Trinity ISE II

    Pass with Distinction

    Trinity ISE III

    Pass

    International English Language Competency Assessment (IELCA) Academic or Home EditionB2 pass minimum 135/200 (no subcomponent below 30)

    B2 pass minimum 150/200 (no subcomponent below 30)

    International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) Academic Plus4.0 overall (no subcomponent below 3.5)

    4.4 overall (no subcomponent below 3.5)

    NCUK English Language TestPassword 6.0 (no component below 5.5)

    Password 6.5 (no component below 5.5)

    IGCSE English as a First Language

    Grade C

    Grade C

    IGCSE English as a Second Language

    Grade C

    Grade C

    International Baccalaureate Standard Level

    Grade 5

    Grade 5

    International Baccalaureate Higher Level

    Grade 4

    Grade 4

    Cameroon GCE O Level

    Grade C

    Grade C

    Caribbean Examination Council general proficiency

    Grade I & II

    Grade I & II

    HKCEE

    Grade C

    Grade C

    HKDSE English Language

    Level 3

    Level 4

    Hong Kong SAR Use of English AS Level

    Grade C

    Grade C

    India standard XII
    (CBSE and CISCE (ISC) exam boards only)

    70%

    70%

    Irish Leaving Certificate Grade 4 (H or O level)

    Grade C / C3

    Grade C / C3

    Kenya KCSE

    Grade C

    Grade C

    Malaysian SPM

    Grade 6C

    Grade 5C

    Malaysian 1119

    Grade 6C

    Grade 5C

    NECO

    Grade C6

    Grade C6

    Singapore Cambridge O Level

    Grade C

    Grade C

    South African National Senior Certificate

    Grade 5

    Grade 5

    Sri Lankan O Level

    Grade B (Merit)

    Grade B (Merit)

    Tanzania Certificate of Education

    Grade C

    Grade C

    Uganda Certificate of Education

    Grade 6

    Grade 6

    WAEC

    Grade C6

    Grade C6

    Zambian School Certificate

    Grade 6

    Grade 6

    Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level

    Grade C

    Grade C

  • English language requirements for Foundation Courses

    English language requirements for our integrated Foundation Courses

    The scores below are the minimum acceptable. Some courses will require higher scores.

    TestMinimum Score

    IELTS (Academic)

    Or

    IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

    Or

    IELTS Online (Academic)

    5.5, with no less than 5.5 in any section

    English Language Requirements for Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

    Applicants who need a Student Visa must submit an approved SELT (Secure English Language Test). 

    TestMinimum Score
    IELTS for UKVI (Academic)5.5, with no Less than 5.0 in any section
    Trinity ISE II (from UK test centre)Pass in all 4 components

    PTE Academic UKVI

    59 overall (no component below 43)

    Visit the UK government website for a full SELT list and FAQs.

  • Some Courses with Non-standard English Requirements

    BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

    IELTS 6.5, with no component below 6.0

    BA (Hons) Architecture

    IELTS 6.5, with writing 6.5 and no other component below 6

    BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

    IELTS 8.0 with no component below 7.5

    LLB (Hons)

    IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

    Business School top-up courses and final year entry

    IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

    Bar Training Course (BTC)

    IELTS 7.5 in all components of the test

    LLM Legal Practice

    IELTS 7.0, with no component below 5.5

    Graduate Diploma in Law

    IELTS 7.5, with no component below 5.5

    LLM (Taught)

    IELTS 7.0, with no component below 5.5

    MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Registration)

    IELTS 8.0 with no component below 7.5

    MA Multimedia Journalism

    IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.5

    Master of Landscape Architecture Part 2

    IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

    MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration)

    IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.5

    PGCE

    IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

    MRes/PhD Business School

    IELTS 7.0, with 7.0 in Reading and Writing & 6.0 in Listening and Speaking

    PhD Education

    IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

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