English language requirements 2025/26: taught courses

You need to show enough fluency in all aspects of English (reading, writing, speaking and listening) to the required level of the course you're applying to.

There are some differences for distance learning applicants.

Exceptions

You may not need to provide evidence of your English language abilities if any of the following conditions apply:

• You're a UK national
• You're a national from a majority English-speaking country as specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
• You've completed a degree either in the UK, Ireland or a country listed above (except Canada). The degree must have been completed within seven years of the course start date here at York. If you are applying to the Hull York Medical School, the degree must have been awarded within two years of the start date.
• 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 at a grade that meets your course entry requirements. The qualification must have been completed no more than seven years before the start of your course at York. This option is not available to Hull York Medical School or MSc Nursing applicants.
  • List of GCSE equivalent qualifications for international student (PDF , 53kb)

Accepted tests

The following tests are accepted for entry into degree-level courses:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic and Online)
• IELTS One Skill Retake
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL IBT (internet based and special home edition) (TOEFL MyBest score is not acceptable for meeting the English language requirement)
• Trinity ISE
• Duolingo (except for Hull York Medical School courses)
• LanguageCert SELT
• LanguageCert Academic
• Kaplan Test of English (KTE)
• Skills For English
• Oxford ELLT (University of York Oxford ELLT registration link)
  

We seek formal confirmation of all test results. If you are intending to take a TOEFL test, please enter our Designated Institution code 3065 on your test form.

We must be able to verify your test within two years of completion, but you may have completed the test up to two and a half years prior to the start date of your course. 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.

• Find your course to check the specific requirements
• See IELTS equivalencies 

If you've not met the departmental requirements

If you've taken one of the accepted tests but not met the departmental requirement, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

• Pre-sessional English language courses

If you require a Student Visa

If you're applying for an on-campus pre-sessional English course and require a student visa then you must take a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (gov.uk). Only IELTS for UKVI (Academic), Trinity ISE or PTE Academic UKVI can be accepted for entry to pre-sessional courses.

• Learn more about visas and language requirements (gov.uk)