Birmingham, UK
Aston University: English test requirements
Aston sets English scores by school or programme group on one page, with separate tables for undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research, and a full table for each of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo. The page gives group names rather than course lists, and the TOEFL tables show a new 1-6 scale for tests taken from 21 January 2026 beside the old 0-120 scale.
Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
Applicants from India
Postgraduate taught applicants from India (and some neighbouring countries) with a degree wholly taught in English can skip a test if they give a stamped medium of instruction letter and a Standard XII English result in the stated range. The page says: “CBSE/ISC English grade between 65% - 74% in Standard XII OR”
IELTS
UG from 6.0
PG from 6.0
PhD from 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 78 / 4
PG from 78 / 4
PhD from 93 / 4.5
PTE Academic
UG from 64
PG from 64
PhD from 67
Duolingo English Test
UG from 110
PG from 110
PhD Not accepted
Undergraduate
Bands are Aston's own schools and programme groups. The page applies the undergraduate tables to entry into Years 1 and 2. BSc Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biology and Psychology accept one IELTS band at 5.5 with the others at 6.0 or above. TOEFL: the old scale is 0-120 and the new scale (tests from 21 January 2026) is 1-6; Medical School, Pharmacy, Optometry and Nursing new-scale scores are not on the page (contact the Undergraduate Admissions team).
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Medical SchoolSource for this group | 7.0Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Listening 7.0, Speaking 7.0 | 101 (0-120, tests before 21 Jan 2026)Reading 26, Writing 28, Listening 26, Speaking 23For tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 the page says to contact the Undergraduate Admissions team. | Not on the listThe page shows N/A in every column for the Medical School. | 130Reading 130, Writing 145, Listening 130, Speaking 130 |
| Aston Business SchoolSource for this group | 6.5two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 and above | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)The page prints two rows of sub-score figures per scale beside the caption 'No more than 2 bands in red'; which row is the minimum is shown by colour only, so no sub-score is given here. Overall: 93 on the 0-120 scale, 4.5 on the 1-6 scale. | 67two bands at 59 and other bands at 64 and above | 120two bands at 100 and other bands at 110 and above |
| Engineering and Physical SciencesSource for this group | 6.0Reading 5.5, Writing 5.5, Listening 5.5, Speaking 5.5 | 78 (0-120) / 4 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 12, Writing 20, Listening 11, Speaking 17. 1-6: Reading 3.5, Writing 4, Listening 3, Speaking 3 | 6459 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | 110100 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
| Health and Life Sciences: Biomedicine, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Psychology (all programmes)e.g. Biomedicine, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Psychology (all programmes)Source for this group | 6.5Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0 (BSc Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biology and Psychology accept one band at 5.5 with the others at 6.0 or above) | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 18, Writing 23, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6 (Biomedicine, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Psychology joint and single honours, Pharmacology): Reading 4, Writing 4.5, Listening 4, Speaking 3.5 | 6764 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking (the page gives one row for Health and Life Sciences except the Medical School) | 120110 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking (one row for Health and Life Sciences except the Medical School) |
| Health and Life Sciences: Biomedical Science, Healthcare Science (Audiology), Pharmacy, Nursinge.g. Biomedical Science, Healthcare Science (Audiology), Pharmacy, all NursingSource for this group | 7.0Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Listening 6.5, Speaking 6.5 | 93 (0-120) / 5 (1-6, BSc Biomedical Science and Healthcare Science (Audiology), tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 18, Writing 23, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6 for Biomedical Science and Audiology: Reading 4.5, Writing 4.5, Listening 5, Speaking 5For Pharmacy, Optometry and Nursing, the page says to contact the Undergraduate Admissions team for exams taken on or after 21 January 2026. | 6764 in each skill (the page gives one row for Health and Life Sciences except the Medical School) | 120110 in each skill (one row for Health and Life Sciences except the Medical School) |
| Optometrye.g. OptometrySource for this group | 7.0Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Listening 6.5, Speaking 7.0 | 93 (0-120, Health and Life Sciences row)Reading 18, Writing 23, Listening 19, Speaking 19The TOEFL row names Health and Life Sciences except the Medical School, not Optometry alone. For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 the page says to contact the Undergraduate Admissions team. | 6764 in each skill (Health and Life Sciences row)The PTE row names Health and Life Sciences except the Medical School, not Optometry alone. | 120110 in each skill (Health and Life Sciences row)The Duolingo row names Health and Life Sciences except the Medical School, not Optometry alone. |
| School of Law and Social SciencesSource for this group | 6.0Reading 5.5, Writing 5.5, Listening 5.5, Speaking 5.5 | 78 (0-120) / 4 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 12, Writing 20, Listening 11, Speaking 17. 1-6: Reading 3.5, Writing 4, Listening 3, Speaking 3 | 6459 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | 110100 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
“Tests must be taken within the last 2 years from the start date of the course you are applying to study at Aston University.”
English Language Requirements (all levels, all tests)
Postgraduate taught
Bands are Aston's schools and programme groups. For Aston Business School, Engineering Systems and Management programmes and the Master of Public Health, the page also allows IELTS 6.0 overall (no more than two bands at 5.5, others 6.0 or above) if you take a mandatory in-sessional English module. IELTS overall 6.5 with no more than two bands at 6.0 and the others 6.5 or above means no module is needed. Evidence of a UK degree or a degree from a majority English speaking country can replace a test.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Business Schoole.g. MBA (listed as a separate row with the same scores)Source for this group | 6.51 band at 5.5 as a minimum, other bands at 6.0 and above | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)The page prints two rows of sub-score figures per scale beside the caption 'Only 1 band in red'; which row is the minimum is shown by colour only, so no sub-score is given here. Overall: 93 on the 0-120 scale, 4.5 on the 1-6 scale. | 671 band at 59 as a minimum, other bands at 64 and above | 1201 band at 100 as a minimum, other bands at 110 or above |
| School of Law and Social SciencesSource for this group | 6.51 band at 5.5 as a minimum, other bands at 6.0 and above | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)The page prints two rows of sub-score figures per scale beside the caption 'Only 1 band in red'; which row is the minimum is shown by colour only, so no sub-score is given here. Overall: 93 on the 0-120 scale, 4.5 on the 1-6 scale. | 671 band at 59 as a minimum, other bands at 64 and above | 1201 band at 100 as a minimum, other bands at 110 or above |
| Engineering and Physical SciencesSource for this group | 6.0Reading 5.5, Writing 5.5, Listening 5.5, Speaking 5.5 | 78 (0-120) / 4 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 12, Writing 20, Listening 11, Speaking 17. 1-6: Reading 3.5, Writing 4, Listening 3, Speaking 3 | 6459 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | 110100 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
| Engineering and Physical Sciences: Engineering Systems and Management programmese.g. Engineering Systems and Management programmesSource for this group | 6.5Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 18, Writing 23, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6: Reading 4, Writing 4.5, Listening 4, Speaking 3.5 | 6764 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | 120110 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
| Health and Life SciencesSource for this group | 6.5Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 18, Writing 23, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6: Reading 4, Writing 4.5, Listening 4, Speaking 3.5 | 6764 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | 120110 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
| Health and Life Sciences: OSPAPe.g. OSPAP (the page does not spell the name out)Source for this group | 7.0Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Listening 7.0, Speaking 7.0 | 101 (0-120) / 5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 26, Writing 28, Listening 26, Speaking 23. 1-6: Reading 5, Writing 5.5, Listening 5.5, Speaking 4.5 | 7676 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | 130Reading 130, Writing 145, Listening 130, Speaking 130 |
“Students with an overall 6.0, with no more than two bands at 5.5 and other bands at 6.0 or above are required to take and pass the English for Postgraduate Studies in-sessional English module.”
English Language Requirements (all levels, all tests)
Postgraduate research
Bands are Aston's schools. Duolingo, Oxford ELLT and Kaplan KTE are not accepted for research degrees.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Business SchoolSource for this group | 6.5Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 22, Writing 26, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6: Reading 4.5, Writing 5, Listening 4, Speaking 3.5 | 67Reading 67, Writing 67, Listening 64, Speaking 64 | Not acceptedThe page says Duolingo is not accepted for postgraduate research programmes. |
| School of Law and Social SciencesSource for this group | 6.5Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 22, Writing 26, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6: Reading 4.5, Writing 5, Listening 4, Speaking 3.5 | 67Reading 67, Writing 67, Listening 64, Speaking 64 | Not acceptedThe page says Duolingo is not accepted for postgraduate research programmes. |
| Engineering and Physical SciencesSource for this group | 6.5Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 18, Writing 23, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6: Reading 4, Writing 4.5, Listening 4, Speaking 3.5 | 6764 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | Not acceptedThe page says Duolingo is not accepted for postgraduate research programmes. |
| Health and Life SciencesSource for this group | 6.5Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | 93 (0-120) / 4.5 (1-6, tests from 21 Jan 2026)0-120: Reading 18, Writing 23, Listening 19, Speaking 19. 1-6: Reading 4, Writing 4.5, Listening 4, Speaking 3.5 | 6764 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | Not acceptedThe page says Duolingo is not accepted for postgraduate research programmes. |
“Please note: Duolingo test is not accepted for postgraduate research programmes”
English Language Requirements (all levels, all tests)
Other tests the university lists
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- IELTS Academic Online
- Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital; undergraduate and taught postgraduate only)
- Kaplan Test of English (KTE; not for research degrees)
- Password Test (NCUK centres only)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- Online versions of the listed tests unless the page specifies otherwise
- Tests with components taken separately instead of in one sitting
- Duolingo, Oxford ELLT and KTE for postgraduate research
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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