
Visas and 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

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.
Test | Standard level scores | Higher level scores | ||
7.0 | Minimum 6.5 per component | 7.5 | Minimum 7.0 per component | |
100 | Minimum component scores:
| 110 | Minimum component scores:
| |
185 | Minimum 176 per component | 191 | Minimum 185 per component | |
185 | Minimum 176 per component | 191 | Minimum 185 per component | |
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 | |||
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.