Durham, UK
Durham University: English test requirements
Durham puts every subject and study level into Direct Entry Band A+, A, B or C, and one page per band gives the scores for each test. Most undergraduate subjects are Band B, postgraduate taught subjects are mostly A or B, and Law postgraduate taught direct entry is A+.
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.
IELTS
UG from 6.5
PG from 6.0
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4.5 / 80
PG from 4 / 72
PTE Academic
UG from 62
PG from 59
Duolingo English Test
UG from 120
PG from 110
Undergraduate
The subject list says which band applies to each undergraduate subject. Tests must be passed no longer than two years before the course starts. Law School is Band A; most other undergraduate subjects listed are Band B. The same band tables serve undergraduate and postgraduate study.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Entry Band Ae.g. Law SchoolSource for this group | 7.0no component under 6.5Same score for UKVI/SELT and non-UKVI IELTS. | 5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 90 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)no component under 20 (before 21 Jan 2026); no component under 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026)Home Edition accepted. | 68no less than 62 in each communicative skillOnline PTE is not accepted. | 130no less than 120 in any individual subscore (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Direct Entry Band Be.g. Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology, Business School, ChemistrySource for this group | 6.5no component under 6.0Same score for UKVI/SELT and non-UKVI IELTS. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)no component under 20 (before 21 Jan 2026); no component under 4 (from 21 Jan 2026)Home Edition accepted. | 62no less than 59 in each communicative skillOnline PTE is not accepted. | 120no less than 110 in any individual subscore (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
“Find your subject to find the level you will need to achieve.”
English language levels required (subject to band list)
Postgraduate taught
The subject list gives a band for each postgraduate taught subject. Law School direct entry is A+, Archaeology, Classics, English Studies, History, Philosophy, Theology and Modern Languages are A, and Business School (MBA included), Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology and Sciences are B. For MBA programmes only the 6-week pre-sessional or direct entry can be used. Some foundation programmes are Band C.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Entry Band A+e.g. Law School postgraduate taught (direct entry)Source for this group | 7.07.0 in writing and no other component under 6.5Same score for UKVI/SELT and non-UKVI IELTS. | 5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 90 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)no component under 20 (before 21 Jan 2026); no component under 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026)Home Edition accepted. | 68no less than 68 in Writing and 62 in each other communicative skillOnline PTE is not accepted. | 130130 in writing and no less than 120 in any other subscore |
| Direct Entry Band Ae.g. Archaeology, Classics and Ancient History, English Studies, History, PhilosophySource for this group | 7.0no component under 6.5Same score for UKVI/SELT and non-UKVI IELTS. | 5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 90 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)no component under 20 (before 21 Jan 2026); no component under 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026)Home Edition accepted. | 68no less than 62 in each communicative skillOnline PTE is not accepted. | 130no less than 120 in any individual subscore (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Direct Entry Band Be.g. Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology, Chemistry, Business School (MBA programmes: direct entry or the 6-week pre-sessional only)Source for this group | 6.5no component under 6.0Same score for UKVI/SELT and non-UKVI IELTS. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)no component under 20 (before 21 Jan 2026); no component under 4 (from 21 Jan 2026)Home Edition accepted. | 62no less than 59 in each communicative skillOnline PTE is not accepted. | 120no less than 110 in any individual subscore (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Direct Entry Band Ce.g. Other Foundation Programmes (Foundation Centre)Source for this group | 6.0no component under 5.5Same score for UKVI/SELT and non-UKVI IELTS. | 4 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 72 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)0-120 scale: Speaking 20, Reading 18, Writing 17, Listening 17 (before 21 Jan 2026); no component under 4 (from 21 Jan 2026)Home Edition accepted. | 59no less than 59 in each communicative skillOnline PTE is not accepted. | 110no less than 100 in any individual subscore (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
“Find your subject to find the level you will need to achieve.”
English language levels required (subject to band list)
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency / C1 Advanced (Band A+ 185 with writing 185 and 176 elsewhere; Band A 185 with 176 per component; Band B 176 with 169 per component; Band C 169 with 162 per component)
- Password Skills Plus (same numbers as IELTS)
- Trinity ISE (taken in the UK on the same day; ISE III 105 for A+ and A, ISE II 96 for B and ISE II 90 for C)
- IELTS One Skill Retake, Password One Skills Retake
- Indian Standard XII English (80% at first attempt; Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, CBSE, Goa, ISC, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu boards only; postgraduate also needs a degree from a recognised English medium university)
- NECO/WAEC/WASSCE English from Nigeria and other listed countries (C6 for IELTS 6.5 courses, C4 for IELTS 7.0 courses; postgraduate also needs a degree from a recognised English medium university)
The page says these are not accepted
- Online PTE
“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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