Academics
A level - A*AA
Specific subjects/grades required for entry: English Literature at grade A or English - Language & Literature at grade A. Specific subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking. Information: Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 38 points
To include 6, 6, 6 from Higher Level subjects to include English Literature or English Language and Literature.
English Language Requirement
Recognised English language tests
If English is not your primary language, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency in both spoken and written English when applying to Durham University. The university accepts various tests and qualifications as proof of meeting their English language prerequisites.
The following are recognised English Language Tests:
- UKVI/SELT Academic IELTS
- Non UKVI/SELT Academic IELTS
- TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home edition
- Cambridge Proficiency (CPE)
- Cambridge Scale (CAE or CPE)
- Cambridge O level English Language (1119-Malaysia; 1120-Brunei; 1125 or 1126-Mauritius; 1128-Singapore and 1123 all other countries)
- Cambridge, Pearson or Oxford AQA iGCSE First Language English
- Cambridge, Pearson or Oxford AQA i GCSE English as a Second Language
- GCSE English Language
- Password Skills (delivered through Durham University)
- Password Skills Plus
- Pearson Academic PTE
- Trinity ISE (revised) Language Tests taken in the UK on the same day
Time limits
You should have passed the test no longer than two years prior to the start of the course. GCSE /iGCSE and Cambridge O level English Language time limits are 4 years apart from iGCSE First Language English which has no time limit.
English Language Levels Required
Direct Entry
Test | Grade or score required |
UKVI/SELT IELTS | 6.5 with no component under 6.0 |
Non UKVI/SELT IELTS | 6.5 with no component under 6.0 |
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home edition | 92 with no component under 23 |
Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) | Grade C |
Cambridge Scale (CAE or CPE) | 176 with a minimum of 169 per component |
Cambridge O level English Language (1119-Malaysia; 1120-Brunei; 1125 or 1126-Mauritius; 1128-Singapore and 1123 all other countries) | Grade C or above |
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English | Grade C or above |
Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language | Grade B or above |
GCSE English Language | Grade C/grade 4 or above |
Password Online (delivered through Durham University) | 6.5 (no component under 6.0) |
Pearson Academic PTE | 62 (with no less than 59 in each Communicative Skill) |
Trinity ISE (revised) Language Tests taken in the UK on the same day | Level III or above (with a pass in both modules) |
Pre-sessional Entry
Note: If you require a student visa and are ineligible for a combined CAS, you must provide a UKVI approved SELT as evidence of English Language. We can only potentially do a combined CAS for the 6 and 10 week courses (not the 20 week course) and you are only eligible if all other non- English language conditions have been met.
Entry with a 6 week pre-sessional
Test | Entry score or grade |
IELTS | 6.5 (no component under 5.5) |
Non UKVI/SELT IELTS | 6.5 (no component under 5.5) |
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home edition | 92 (no component under 17 and with minimum of 20 in speaking and 18 in reading) |
Password Online (offered through Durham University) | 6.5 (no component under 5.5) |
Pearson Academic (PTE) | N/A |
Trinity ISE (revised) Language Tests taken in the UK on the same day | Level II or above (with a distinction in both modules) |
Entry with a 10 week pre-sessional
Test | Entry score or grade |
IELTS | 6.0 (no component under 5.5) |
Non UKVI/SELT IELTS | 6.0 (no component under 5.5) |
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home edition | 72 (no component under 17 and with minimum of 20 in speaking and 18 in reading) |
Password Online (offered through Durham University | 6.0 (no component under 5.5) |
Pearson Academic (PTE) | 59 (with no less than 59 in each Communicative Skill) |
Trinity ISE (revised) Language Tests taken in the UK on the same day | Level II or above (with a merit in both modules) |
Entry with a 20 week pre-sessional
Test | Entry score or grade |
UKVI IELTS | 5.5 (no component under 5.0) |
Trinity ISE (revised) Language Tests taken in the UK on the same day | Level II or above (with a pass in both modules) |
