London, UK
Birkbeck, University of London: English test requirements
Birkbeck has one standard requirement for its taught programmes (IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each sub-test) and lists the matching score for each accepted test on one page. Each course page states its own minimum IELTS score, and research degrees can ask for more (for example IELTS 7.0). Duolingo is not listed.
Checked on 2 Nov 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.
IELTS
UG 6.5
PG 6.5
PhD Set by course
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 79
PG 4.5 / 79
PhD Set by course
PTE Academic
UG 62
PG 62
PhD Set by course
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
PhD Not on the list
Undergraduate
The standard requirement covers taught programmes; the course page gives the IELTS minimum for each course and the scores below are the standard equivalents. Tests with two-year validity must be no older than two years on 1 June for October starts or 1 September for January starts. Nationals of listed majority English-speaking countries meet the requirement.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 in each sub-test | AcceptedMust be no more than two years old. IELTS Academic One Skill Retake accepted; IELTS Academic Online and the IELTS Indicator are not. |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, from January 2026) / 79 (0-120, before January 2026) | New scale: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4.5. Old scale: Reading 18, Listening 19, Speaking 19, Writing 23 | AcceptedNo more than two years old. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not accepted. |
| PTE Academic | 62 | 60 in each sub-test | AcceptedNo more than two years old. PTE Academic Online is not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listDuolingo does not appear in the list of accepted tests. | |
| Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) | 176 | 169 in each sub-test | Accepted |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 | 65 in each sub-test | AcceptedIn-person and online accepted. |
“Our taught programmes require applicants to demonstrate their proficiency in English to the level of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-test.”
Approved tests and qualifications for English language ability
Postgraduate taught
Same standard requirement as undergraduate; each course page states its minimum IELTS score. A degree comparable to RQF 6 from a listed majority English-speaking country, awarded within three years, also meets the requirement. Previous UK study visa holders at CEFR B2 are referred to an Admissions Tutor.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 in each sub-test | AcceptedMust be no more than two years old. IELTS Academic One Skill Retake accepted; IELTS Academic Online and the IELTS Indicator are not. |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, from January 2026) / 79 (0-120, before January 2026) | New scale: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4.5. Old scale: Reading 18, Listening 19, Speaking 19, Writing 23 | AcceptedNo more than two years old. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not accepted. |
| PTE Academic | 62 | 60 in each sub-test | AcceptedNo more than two years old. PTE Academic Online is not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listDuolingo does not appear in the list of accepted tests. | |
| Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) | 176 | 169 in each sub-test | Accepted |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 | 65 in each sub-test | AcceptedIn-person and online accepted. |
“Standard requirement: 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in sub-tests”
Approved tests and qualifications for English language ability
Postgraduate research
Research course pages give minimum IELTS scores; the English and Humanities MPhil/PhD page, for example, asks for IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each sub-test. The page asks applicants to get in touch if their course needs IELTS 7.0 and their test is not shown.
The scores for this level are set course by course. The tests below are the ones the university lists; check the exact scores on your course page (course finder).
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Not published by the university | AcceptedMinimum set on each research course page, e.g. 7.0 with 6.0 in each sub-test for English and Humanities. | |
| TOEFL iBT | Not published by the university | AcceptedListed on the approved tests page at the standard (IELTS 6.5) level; no figure is given for IELTS 7.0 courses. | |
| PTE Academic | Not published by the university | AcceptedListed on the approved tests page at the standard (IELTS 6.5) level; no figure is given for IELTS 7.0 courses. | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the list |
“If your course requires IELTS 7.0 and the test or qualification you hold is not shown above, please get in touch.”
Approved tests and qualifications for English language ability
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency (176 with 169)
- LanguageCert Academic (in-person and online)
- Trinity ISE II
- Password Skills Plus at-home test
- PSI Skills for English
- INTO Test of English / IELA and INTO EAP
- OnCampus Test of English (AELD, OCTOE)
- GCSE, IGCSE, A-level and IB English
- Birkbeck eight-week Pre-Sessional and In-Sessional English Programme
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS Academic Online
- IELTS Indicator
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- PTE Academic Online
“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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