Loughborough, UK
Loughborough University: English test requirements
Loughborough has one standard English set for almost all courses (IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each skill), with a short list of undergraduate courses at a higher level and one postgraduate exception. The offer letter confirms the course requirement.
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 All applicants
The university does not accept medium of instruction letters or English language proficiency letters, which matters for applicants from all three countries. The page says: “We do not accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters or English Language proficiency letters to meet our English Language requirements.”
Applicants from India
Standard XII is accepted as an alternative at set marks (CBSE and ISCE 75 percent, listed state boards 80 percent on the standard page) but not from five named state boards. The page says: “The Senior School Certificate or Standard XII is not accepted from the following State Boards.”
Applicants from Nigeria
WASSCE (WAEC) and NECO Senior School Certificate English at C6 are listed, under West Africa, as school-based qualifications on the standard page (B3 on the Higher page; NECO is also listed under Nigeria there), and must have been taken within ten years. The page says: “Where a school-based qualification is used to meet the English language requirement, this should have been taken within the past ten years.”
IELTS
UG 6.5
PG from 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 88
PG 4.5 / 88
PTE Academic
UG 65
PG 65
Duolingo English Test
UG 120
PG 120
Undergraduate
One standard university set of test scores for all undergraduate courses. The test scores for the courses on the Higher page (BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics; LLB Law; BSc Psychology, Psychology with Criminology and Psychology of Sport and Exercise; BSc Sport and Exercise Science, Sport Management, and Sport Science, Coaching and Physical Education) are printed identically; only the school qualifications are higher (for example GCSE English B/6 instead of C/4, and Indian CBSE or ISCE 80 percent instead of 75 percent). Schools may also ask for more, so check the offer. Tests must be within two years.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StandardSource for this group | 6.5not less than 6.0 in each testIELTS Academic including Online and One Skill Retake. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)1-6: not less than 4.5 in Writing and Listening and not less than 4.0 in Speaking and Reading; 0-120: not less than 21 in each testHome Edition included. | 65not less than 61 in each sub-testCentre-based test. | 120Speaking 110, Writing 115, Reading 110, Listening 105 |
“Some Schools/Departments may require higher levels of English language than those specified.”
English Language requirements for international applicants
Postgraduate taught
Every School uses the standard university set except MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology. Research degrees may ask for more, shown in the offer letter. Tests must be within two years.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standarde.g. All taught postgraduate courses except the one belowSource for this group | 6.5not less than 6.0 in each testIELTS Academic including Online and One Skill Retake. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (tests before 21 Jan 2026, 0-120)1-6: not less than 4.5 in Writing and Listening and not less than 4.0 in Speaking and Reading; 0-120: not less than 21 in each testHome Edition included. | 65not less than 61 in each sub-testCentre-based test. | 120Speaking 110, Writing 115, Reading 110, Listening 105 |
| MSc Clinical Exercise Physiologye.g. MSc Clinical Exercise PhysiologySource for this group | 6.5no element below 6.5 for Reading and Writing and 6.0 for Speaking and Listening | Not on the listThe page says "or equivalent" without giving figures. | Not on the listThe page says "or equivalent" without giving figures. | Not on the listThe page says "or equivalent" without giving figures. |
“all Schools/Departments require the University standard IELTS or equivalent English Language qualification”
English Language requirements for international applicants
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced (180) / C2 Proficiency (200)
- LanguageCert Academic SELT and Online
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT C1
- Oxford ELLT Global (7 with 6)
- ONCAMPUS Test of English
- Trinity ISE III (96 with 90)
- University of Warwick International Foundation Programme EAP
- GCSE / IGCSE English (standard C/4; higher courses B/6)
“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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