All teaching at Royal Holloway (apart from some language courses) is in English. You therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.
Covid-19 English Language testing update
Due to the disruption caused by Covid-19 we have been working hard to provide alternatives to the traditional IELTS testing. We can confirm that we are now able to accept the following online English Language Tests for 2020/21 entrants:
- IELTS indicator
- TOEFL Special Home Edition
- Duolingo English Test
- OnCampus OCTOE
For 2020/21 entry we will be accepting these qualifications where IELTS/SELT testing is disrupted or longer available for both pre-sessional and degree level courses. If you have already have your SELT IELTS test at the required level, this is perfectly acceptable.
If these tests are not available in your country please contact the International Student Recruitment Team. In China and some other countries, we are now able to offer an alternative test, to increase your options.
The new IELTS indicator and Toefl ibt Special Home Edition results are recorded in the same way as the standard IELTS and Toefl tests, meaning the entry requirements are unchanged.
Please find the Duolingo entry requirements below:
| IELTS requirements of the course | Duolingo score required |
| 5.5 | 95 |
| 6.0 | 100-105 |
| 6.5 | 110-115 |
| 7.0 | 120-125 |
| 7.5 | 130-135 |
| 8.0 | 140-145 |
| 8.5 | 150-155 |
| 9.0 | 160 |
The English language qualifications we accept
We accept the following internationally-recognised English language qualifications:
- IELTS
- Pearson Test of English
- Cambridge ESOL
- TOEFL iBT
We also accept some local English language qualifications from certain countries. For details, see the information on our Find your country pages.
The scores we require
For IELTS and Pearson Test of English, see the table below for the scores needed by our individual departments. For other English language qualifications, give details in your application of the level you have achieved.
Does my English language qualification need to be a SELT?
A SELT is a Secure English Language Test that is acceptable for UK immigration purposes. It has to be taken at an approved centre.
Your IELTS qualification must be a SELT if one of your IELTS subscores is below 5.5 and you are:
- applying for one of our Pre-sessional English Language Programmes with IELTS
- eligible for a linked Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) covering both your degree and your pre-sessional English language programme.
If all of your IELTS subscores are at 5.5 or above, then we can give you a linked Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) for a non-SELT IELTS.
Please note that TOEFL iBT can not be used as a SELT.
English language requirements for Research degrees
All Postgraduate Research degrees (i.e. PhD and Masters by Research) require:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
English requirements for undergraduate and taught Masters degrees can be found below.
University preparation programmes
School of Business and Management
Accounting and Financial Management
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Reading and writing 6.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Reading and writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 24
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24
Digital Innovation Management
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Reading and writing 6.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Reading and writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 24
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24
Human Resource Management and Organisational Studies
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Reading and writing 6.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Reading and writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 24
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24
Marketing
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Reading and writing 6.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Reading and writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 24
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24
Strategy, International Business and Entrepreneurship
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Reading and writing 6.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Reading and writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 24
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24
School of Engineering, Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Computer Science
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Electronic Engineering
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Physics
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Information Security
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Mathematics
Undergraduate degrees
All programmes except BSc Mathematics and Management and BSc Mathematics and Music
- IELTS: 6.0 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 81 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
BSc Mathematics and Management
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Reading 6.0. Writing 6.0 No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 24
BSc Mathematics and Music
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
School of Humanities
Classics
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
English
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 7.0 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 69 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE IV.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 97 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
History
Undergraduate degrees and Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
School of Law and Social Sciences
Economics
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Reading and writing 6.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Reading and writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 24
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. 6.5 in Writing. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 25
Law
Undergraduate degrees
LLB Law programmes
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 6.0. Reading 6.0. No subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. 54 in writing. 54 in Reading. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24
BSc Criminology and Sociology and BSc Criminology and Psychology
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. 54 in writing. 54 in Reading. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
MSc Consumption, Culture and Marketing (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 6.5. No other subscore lower than 6.0.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 22 Listening 20
Speaking 22 Writing 2
MSc Forensic Psychology (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Politics, International Relations and Philosophy
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Social Work
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 7.0 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 69 overall. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE IV.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 97 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 17
School of Life Sciences and the Environment
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Earth Sciences
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Geography
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
All programmes except MRes Cultural Geography
- IELTS 6.5 overall. Writing 6.5. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 25
MRes Cultural Geography
- IELTS 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0 No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Psychology
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
-
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17
Speaking 20 Writing 17
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
School of Performing and Digital Arts
Drama, Theatre and Dance
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Music
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Media Arts
Undergraduate degrees
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26
Postgraduate degrees (Taught)
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 6.5. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 25
