Radcliffe Camera.

Visas and English language requirements

Visas
English language requirements

The University's Student Immigration website provides guidance on:

the type of visa you may require to study at Oxford
your visa application and paying the Immigration Health Surcharge to access the UK's National Health Service
your visa status and legal obligations
travel during your stay
staying on to work after your studies

If you are a student from the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland considering undergraduate study at Oxford, our Oxford and the EU page is continually updated with information on the implications of the UK's exit from the EU. The Student visa webpages explain whether you can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, or if you will need a student visa.

If you require a student visa, the University will vouch for your English language ability on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) provided you have achieved the University's required results in one of the English language tests accepted by the University or you have been granted an English language test waiver by your college. When submitting your student visa application, you will not be required to provide additional evidence of your English language ability.

Please note that the English language test you take does not need to be listed on the Home Office SELT (Secure English Language Tests) list as this only applies for students who want to study a course below degree level.

If you receive an offer to study a 4-year course in Physics or Materials, you will also need to apply for and be granted ATAS clearance before you can apply for a visa. This may take several months so you should apply as soon as possible after your offer and your college will provide you with the information needed. You can read more about ATAS on the student visa webpages.

All undergraduate applicants who are not native English speakers must satisfy one of the requirements listed in the table below.

Possible exemptions from this requirement will be considered for those who:

studied the International Baccalaureate programme, if it is taught in English
studied the Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL)
have been educated full-time in the medium of the English language throughout the two most recent years before the 15 October application deadline, and who remain in full-time education conducted in the English language until the end of the school year.

You do not need to submit evidence of your English Language proficiency when you make your UCAS application. If you have already achieved the required grade, please include the details along with your other qualifications in the appropriate section of your UCAS application. If you have not yet achieved the required grade, evidence of this proficiency will form part of any conditional offer and will need to have been achieved by 31 July in the year you receive your offer. Note this deadline applies, even if you are deferring entry to the following October.

If you need to meet English language conditions, you will be asked to show either a standard or a higher level of ability in English, depending on your course. ONLY these courses accept the standard level: Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics. ALL other courses require the higher level.

Test	Standard level scores		Higher level scores
IELTS*	7.0	Minimum 6.5 per component	7.5	Minimum 7.0 per component
TOEFL / TOEFL iBT Home Edition**	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 Advanced English (CAE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)	185	Minimum 176 per component	191	Minimum 185 per component
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	ISE III with merit in all skills or ISE IV with pass in all skills		ISE III with distinction in all skills or ISE IV with pass in each section
Pearson PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online	66	Minimum 56 in Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. We do not require particular scores in the Enabling Skills	76	Minimum 66 in Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. We do not require particular scores in the Enabling Skills
English Language GCSE (UK-regulated awarding organisations only)	Grade B/6, plus Merit in the separate Speaking endorsement
Cambridge Assessment International Examinations IGCSE First Language English	Grade B/6, plus grade 2 in the Speaking and Listening test Second Language English International GCSEs are not accepted
OxfordAQA International GCSE English Language (First Language)	Grade 6, plus Merit in the Speaking and Listening test Second Language English International GCSEs are not accepted
Pearson Edexcel English Language A or B (First Language)	Grade 6, plus Merit in the Spoken Language endorsement Second Language English International GCSEs are not accepted
Cambridge Assessment O-Level English	Grade B Please note from the 2023-entry admissions cycle the CAIE O-Level English will no longer be accepted
International Baccalaureate (for those not being taught in English)	English B with a score of 7 at HL
European Baccalaureate	Score of 70% in English
SQA ESOL Higher in English Language	Grade B

*We recommend that you take the IELTS Academic option. The IELTS General, IELTS UKVI General and IELTS life skills options are not suitable for admission. The IELTS UKVI Academic test can be accepted but is not recommended, as this is more expensive than the IELTS Academic test and is not offered in as many countries or centres worldwide so it may be difficult to book an appointment. This UKVI version of the test is required for students taking courses below degree level but is not required for courses at degree level or above and IELTS recommend that university applicants do not apply for this version of the test as it will fill up spaces required by other students (below degree level) who do have to take this version of the test.

** TOEFL Essentials is not accepted.

Share This

CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

Share This