English language requirements for online and distance learning applicants: 2025/26 entry
If you're a non-native English speaking applicant you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability
Accepted tests
The following tests are accepted for entry into degree-level courses:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (academic and online)
- PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
- Cambridge Proficiency (CPE)
- TOEFL IBT (internet based and special home edition) (TOEFL MyBest score is not acceptable for meeting the English language requirement)
- Trinity ISE
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- KITE
- Duolingo.
We seek formal confirmation of all test results. For this purpose, if you are intending to take a TOEFL test, please enter our Designated Institution code 3065 on your test form.
If you take a Duolingo test please ensure you nominate York as an institution on the Duolingo system at the earliest available opportunity so that we can verify your results.
We must be able to verify your test within two years of completion and you cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test or multiple different tests.
The requirements for these tests vary by academic department.
Contact us
Got a question about applying to York? Email our friendly Admissions Team for advice and support.
If you've already applied to study at York please use You@York to upload any documents. Please do not email documents to us.
Postgraduate Admissions
Exceptions
There are some instances where you do not normally need to provide evidence of your English language abilities.
- You've completed a degree within seven years of your start date which has been taught in English. You will need to provide official confirmation from the institution where you completed your degree that the medium of instruction was English. If you are applying to the Hull York Medical School, the degree must have been awarded within two years of the start date and a statement of comparability issued by Ecctis will be required that confirms your degree is equivalent to a UK Bachelors Honours degree.
- You have a secondary school qualification included in this list (International GCSE equivalent qualifications for postgraduate admissions (PDF
, 20kb) at the grade that meets your course entry requirements. The qualification must have been completed within seven years of the course start date here at York. This option is not available to applicants for any Hull York Medical School course.
If you're applying to a distance learning course and you're from one of the following majority English-speaking countries you will not normally need to provide evidence of your English language abilities:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kiribati
- Liberia
- Malta
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Zimbabwe
If you have completed a degree within seven years of your intended start date which has been taught in English in one of the following countries, you do not need to provide further evidence of your English language abilities. If your country is not listed, you may need to provide official confirmation from the institution where you completed your degree that the medium of instruction was in English:
- Hong Kong
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Micronesia
- Philippines
- Rwanda (for degrees completed after 2008)
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Sudan (for degrees completed after 2008)
- Swaziland
- Tonga
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe.
The information regarding work experience below is subject to further review. Check back shortly when we hope to have the details finalised. Apologies for any inconvenience.
We can also usually accept at least one year of recent work experience from one of the following English-speaking organisations as proof of English language ability. This must be within two years of your proposed start date.
United Nations organisations:
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
- UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
- UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
- UN-Habitat
- UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO)
- World Food Programme (WFP)
- World Bank
- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
- UN Mine Action
- UN Women (UNIFEM)
- UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
- International Labour Organisation (ILO)
- UN Development Programme (UNDP)
- UN University (UNU)
- University for Peace
- International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
- UN Environmental Programme (UNEP)
- UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR)
- UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).
International NGOs:
- Mercy Corps
- Save the Children
- Oxfam
- Care International
- Doctors without Borders (MSF)
- Goal
- World Vision
- Tear Fund
- Islamic Relief Worldwide
- Muslim Aid
- Christian Aid
- Danish Refugee Council
- Norwegian Refugee Council
- Norwegian Church Aid
- Inter-Action
- Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development
- Agha Khan Development Network
- Action Aid
- Plan International
- The Asia Foundation
- International Rescue Committee
- International Medical Corps
- Shelter Box
- AusAID
- USAid
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
UK government departments
- Department for International Development (DFID)
- NHS
Course requirements
Each course's specific requirements can be found on the course page.
Contact us
Got a question about applying to York? Email our friendly Admissions Team for advice and support.
If you've already applied to study at York please use You@York to upload any documents. Please do not email documents to us.
Postgraduate Admissions