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Guidance for international students

Photograph by Jin Lee, DPhil Experimental Psychology

 

English language requirements

English is the language of instruction for all programmes offered at Oxford and it is mandatory that all theses or examination papers are written in English. The University has approved both a standard and a higher level of required ability in English. For all taught programmes the higher level is mandatory; for research programmes, departments have selected the level that is most appropriate.

If your first language is not English, or if your first language is English but you are not a national of the UK, Ireland or a majority English-speaking country recognised by the UKBA, you must supply suitable evidence that you have reached the relevant higher or standard level before any offer of a place can be confirmed. Majority English-speaking countries are defined by the UKBA as:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • United States of America
  • Caribbean: Antiqua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevi, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
  • South America: Belize, Guyana
Evidence of your English proficiency needs to be in the form of a certificate of an English language test taken within two years of the date your programme will commence.

The University recognises only certain English tests and these requirements are set out below: 

 
Standard overall score
Additional requirement
Higher overall score
Additional requirement
IELTS 7.0 Minimum 6.5 per component 7.5 Minimum 7.0 per component
TOEFL ibt (internet-based) 100
Minimum component scores*:

  • Listening - 22
  • Reading - 24
  • Speaking - 25
  • Writing - 24
110
Minimum component scores*:

  • Listening - 22
  • Reading - 24
  • Speaking - 25
  • Writing - 24
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English C
  B
 
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English A
  Not accepted
 
*  The UK Border Agency may accept lower minimum scores for the purposes of obtaining a visa, though please note that the University still requires candidates to meet its minimum scores as per above

Further information:

Language test waiver

The requirement to provide proof of English language proficiency may be waived, at the discretion of the University, in cases where you have successfully completed, or are currently completing, a full-time degree-level course of a minimum of nine months at a recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment is entirely in English.

If you are still completing your degree and you are offered a place, you will usually be requested to show evidence that you have successfully completed your degree as a condition of your offer. It is expected that you will complete your degree and show evidence of this in good time, usually by 31 August, although please note that some departments may set an earlier deadline. If you are due to complete your degree after the date set by the department, you will usually be expected to submit a certificate of an English language test meeting the University's requirements for applicants whose first language is not English.

If you wish to apply for a waiver of the English test requirement, please upload or attach a letter with your application outlining the reasons why you should be exempted from the requirement. You must do this at the time of your application.

Improving your English

If you have already been accepted on a programme of study, and need to improve or consolidate your English language skills, the University’s Language Centre runs pre-sessional courses that are either eight or four weeks long.

For information on who should attend, how to apply and payment details, please see the Oxford University Language Centre pages

During term there are also English language courses (available to any student whose first language is not English) on:

  • Academic Writing
  • Advanced Communication Skills
For detailed information on how to apply see the Language Centre website. Places on these courses are limited so you may want to think about investigating your options as early as possible. 

Immigration

If you are a non-EEA/Swiss national and you do not have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, you will need to obtain a Tier 4 Student Visa before you can begin your studies.

 Full guidance and detailed advice is available from the following sources:

University of Oxford Student Information & Advisory Service

Visit the SIAS website External link

UK Border Agency

Visit the UKBA website External link

UK Council for International Student Affairs 

Visit the UK CISA website External link

It is essential that you obtain your visa in good time to allow you to be able to start your programme of study on time. Please be aware that timescales for obtaining visas can be lengthy. 

Medical treatment

If your programme will last six months or more, you are eligible for free National Health Service treatment (including free doctor’s examination and hospital treatment) from your date of arrival in the UK.

If your planned period of study will be less than six months, you may need to pay for any treatment you receive under the NHS and your college will require you to take out insurance cover against this risk.

Irrespective of the length of your stay certain types of treatment will be free, including out-patient treatment in Accident and Emergency departments and treatment for most infectious diseases.