Edinburgh, UK
Heriot-Watt University: English test requirements
Heriot-Watt gives one table by level (foundation, undergraduate, three postgraduate taught groups, research) with every test, plus named exceptions for Actuarial and Translating and Interpreting programmes. Figures here are for the UK campuses (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney) only; the university's separate Dubai and Malaysia campuses are not covered. Tests must be passed within two years of the start date.
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
For postgraduate taught applicants from India, a Medium of Instruction letter can replace a test if Standard XII was passed within 10 years and the degree was taught in English and completed within 5 years. Otherwise IELTS or equivalent is needed. The page says: “then please provide a Medium of Instruction letter from your university”
Applicants from Nigeria
For postgraduate taught applicants from Nigeria (also Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana), the school English result and a degree from a recognised university in the country can serve as proof, with no time limit on WAEC/WASSCE or NECO. The page says: “There is no time limit to the WAEC/WASSE, NECO, KCSE, UCE or BGCSE qualification for English language purposes.”
IELTS
Foundation from 5.0
UG from 6.0
PG from 6.0
PhD 6.5
TOEFL iBT
Foundation 4 / 72
UG from 4 / 79
PG from 4 / 79
PhD 4.5 / 85
PTE Academic
Foundation from 55
UG from 63
PG from 63
PhD 68
Duolingo English Test
Foundation 100
UG from 120
PG from 120
PhD 125
Foundation
The one-year foundation needs a UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT) result, so only the SELT tests listed are usable for it.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation (one-year)Source for this group | 5.0no score lower than 4.5 (UKVI SELT test only) | Not acceptedPage says N/A, SELT required. | 55minimum 50 (UKVI SELT test only) | Not acceptedPage says not accepted, SELT required. |
| Foundation (four-year)Source for this group | 5.5no score lower than 5.5 | 4 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 72 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4. 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 60minimum 59 | 100100 in each component |
Undergraduate
One standard undergraduate level plus two named exceptions. Translating and Interpreting undergraduate programmes are described only as needing the equivalent of IELTS 6.5, without a full table.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (standard)Source for this group | 6.0no score lower than 5.5IELTS Online and One Skill Retake accepted; IELTS Indicator and General Training are not. | 4 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 79 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4 except Writing at 4.5 minimum. 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21TOEFL iBT Home Edition accepted; MyBest and Superscore results not accepted; minimums must be met in one sitting. | 63minimum 59PTE Academic Online is not accepted. | 120110 in each component |
| Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics programmese.g. Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics programmesSource for this group | 6.5no score lower than 6.0 | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 85 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4 except Writing at 4.5 minimum. 0-120: Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 20, Writing 21 | 68minimum 63 in each component | 125115 in each component |
| Translating and Interpreting (undergraduate)e.g. Translating and Interpreting programmesSource for this group | 6.5The page notes say undergraduate Translating and Interpreting programmes need the equivalent of IELTS 6.5; no component minimum is stated. | Not on the listNo figure for this programme group. | Not on the listNo figure for this programme group. | Not on the listNo figure for this programme group. |
“The test should have been passed within two years of the start date of the degree for which you are applying.”
English language requirements (main page)
Postgraduate taught
Groups are Design and STEM programmes, non-STEM programmes, and Interpreting/Translating programmes; Actuarial programmes have their own, higher level. The page does not list which programmes are STEM or Design.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design and STEM programmes (excluding Actuarial)Source for this group | 6.0no score lower than 5.5 | 4 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 79 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4 except Writing at 4.5 minimum. 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21 | 63minimum 59 | 120110 in each component |
| Non-STEM programmesSource for this group | 6.0no score lower than 5.5, except Writing which must be 6.0 minimum | 4 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 79 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4 except Writing at 4.5 minimum. 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21 | 63minimum 59 for Reading, Listening and Speaking, minimum 63 in Writing | 120Writing 115, 110 in each other component |
| Actuarial programmese.g. Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics postgraduate programmesSource for this group | 6.5no score lower than 6.0 | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 85 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4 except Writing at 4.5 minimum. 0-120: Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 20, Writing 21 | 68minimum 63 in each component | 125115 in each component |
| Interpreting and Translating programmese.g. Interpreting and Translating programmesSource for this group | 7.0no score lower than 6.5 | 5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 90 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4.5. 0-120: Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 23, Writing 23 | 73minimum 67 | 135125 in each component |
“The test should have been passed within two years of the start date of the degree for which you are applying.”
English language requirements (main page)
Postgraduate research
Research applicants can alternatively meet the requirement by nationality, an English-taught degree from a listed country, or a Heriot-Watt pre-sessional course at grade C. The scores below are for those relying on a test; the page says to reach CEFR B2. IELTS Online and One Skill Retake are accepted, IELTS Indicator and General Training are not.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate researchSource for this group | 6.5no individual score lower than 6.0 | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 85 (before, 0-120)1-6: no score lower than 4 except Writing at 4.5 minimum. 0-120: Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 20, Writing 21 | 68minimum 63 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | 125115 in each component |
Other tests the university lists
- Oxford ELLT Global and Digital (undergraduate 6 with no score below 5; postgraduate taught 6 with no score below 5; research 7 with no score below 6)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (169-175 undergraduate and most postgraduate taught; 176-184 research)
- Trinity ISE II
- LanguageCert Academic SELT
- PSI Skills for English SELT
- Password Skills Plus
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS Indicator
- IELTS General Training
- TOEFL MyBest and Superscore results
- PTE Academic Online
- LanguageCert International and General tests, and the non-SELT LanguageCert Academic
“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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