Keele, Staffordshire, UK
Keele University: English test requirements
Keele places each undergraduate and taught postgraduate course in an English Language Group (A to F, plus Group G for the MBA and final-year entry to Group A courses); the course page names the group and one central page gives the scores. Research degrees have a single requirement for all subjects. Duolingo is not among the listed tests.
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 from 6.0
PG from 6.0
PhD 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4
PG from 4
PhD 87
PTE Academic
UG from 59
PG from 59
PhD 62
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
PhD Not on the list
Undergraduate
Each course page lists its English Language Group. Figures are for 2027/28 entry. They do not apply to A100 Medicine, D100 Veterinary Science and their foundation years, which set their own requirements on the course pages. Tests must be within two years of the course start for visa holders and different tests cannot be combined. For final-year entry, Group A courses use Group G; other groups stay the same. Trinity ISE, NCUK English Test and Language Gallery UPP are also listed per group.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group ASource for this group | 6.05.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Listening 3, Writing 3, Speaking 3Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 5954 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group BSource for this group | 6.55.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Listening 3, Writing 3, Speaking 3Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6254 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group CSource for this group | 6.56.0 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Listening 3.5, Writing 3.5, Speaking 4Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6259 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group DSource for this group | 76.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 4, Listening 4.5, Writing 4, Speaking 4.5Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6962 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group ESource for this group | 7.0Reading 7.0, Listening 7.0, Speaking 7.0, Writing 6.5IELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 4.5, Listening 5, Writing 4, Speaking 5Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6969 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group FSource for this group | 8.07.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 6 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 5, Listening 5, Writing 5, Speaking 5.5Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 8275 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group G (MBA and Group A Final Year Entry)Source for this group | 6.0Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 5.5, Listening 5.5IELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Writing 3.5, Listening 3, Speaking 3Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 59Speaking 59, Writing 59, Reading 59, Listening 54Includes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
Group A, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 169; LanguageCert Academic SELT 65
Group B, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 176; LanguageCert Academic SELT 70
Group C, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 176; LanguageCert Academic SELT 70
Group D, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 185; LanguageCert Academic SELT 75
Group E, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 185; LanguageCert Academic SELT 75
Group F, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 200
Group G (MBA and Group A Final Year Entry), other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 169; LanguageCert Academic SELT 65
“Different tests cannot be combined.”
English language entry requirements 2027/28 (undergraduate and postgraduate groups)
Postgraduate taught
The same groups apply to taught postgraduate courses; the course page names the group, and Group G covers the MBA. The groups do not apply to MSc Physician Associate Studies or online-only Master's courses. Applicants from the listed majority English-speaking countries, or with a recent equivalent degree from one of them, and Canadian nationals do not need to provide an English qualification.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group ASource for this group | 6.05.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Listening 3, Writing 3, Speaking 3Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 5954 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group BSource for this group | 6.55.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Listening 3, Writing 3, Speaking 3Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6254 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group CSource for this group | 6.56.0 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Listening 3.5, Writing 3.5, Speaking 4Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6259 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group DSource for this group | 76.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 4, Listening 4.5, Writing 4, Speaking 4.5Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6962 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group ESource for this group | 7.0Reading 7.0, Listening 7.0, Speaking 7.0, Writing 6.5IELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 5 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 4.5, Listening 5, Writing 4, Speaking 5Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 6969 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group FSource for this group | 8.07.5 in all componentsIELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 6 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 5, Listening 5, Writing 5, Speaking 5.5Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 8275 in each componentIncludes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
| Group G (MBA and Group A Final Year Entry)Source for this group | 6.0Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 5.5, Listening 5.5IELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator. | 4 (new 1-6 scale)Reading 3.5, Writing 3.5, Listening 3, Speaking 3Includes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 1-6 scale is shown. | 59Speaking 59, Writing 59, Reading 59, Listening 54Includes the online version. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests. |
Group A, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 169; LanguageCert Academic SELT 65
Group B, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 176; LanguageCert Academic SELT 70
Group C, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 176; LanguageCert Academic SELT 70
Group D, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 185; LanguageCert Academic SELT 75
Group E, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 185; LanguageCert Academic SELT 75
Group F, other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 200
Group G (MBA and Group A Final Year Entry), other tests: Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) 169; LanguageCert Academic SELT 65
“Please note: the English Language test group bands listed on this page relate to Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses.”
English language entry requirements 2027/28 (undergraduate and postgraduate groups)
Postgraduate research
One requirement for all subject areas for research students joining from August 2024 onwards. Trinity ISE, NCUK English Test and Language Gallery UPP (80) are also listed.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 in all components | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 87 (0-120) | Writing 19, Listening 19, Reading 19, Speaking 20 | AcceptedIncludes TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Only the 0-120 scale is shown. |
| PTE Academic | 62 | 59 in each component | AcceptedIncludes the online version. |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the list | |
| Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency) | 176 | 169 in all components | Accepted |
| LanguageCert ESOL (SELT only) | B2 Pass or C1 Pass | B2 Pass with 35 in all components, or C1 Pass with 25 in all components | Accepted |
“for all subject areas, we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any subtest.”
Postgraduate research entry requirements
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge English (scale score by group)
- Trinity ISE II, III or IV (grade by group)
- NCUK English Test
- LanguageCert Academic SELT
- Language Gallery UPP
- GCSE or IGCSE English at C or 4, and a range of school-leaving English qualifications listed on the page
- Keele pre-sessional English course
“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.
Practise for your test, free
Fable Tests is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Keele University or any test owner. University names are used only to identify them. Test names are trademarks of their owners.