Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Northumbria University: English test requirements
Northumbria publishes no score table. Each course page gives an IELTS Academic requirement (for example 6.0, 6.5 or 7.0 overall with a per-component minimum) 'or approved equivalent', and the university sets the equivalent scores for other tests itself. The general page only lists which tests are recognised.
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 Nigeria
The university does not accept study in English medium as proof of English for Nigerian applicants. You need an approved test such as WAEC or NECO (typically C6), or another approved test. Some courses, such as Nursing, may accept only specific tests such as IELTS or OET. The page says: “We do not accept studying in English Medium as evidence of English Language”
Applicants from India
On the acceptable-qualifications page, Indian Standard 12th English is listed for most boards, but for Punjab, Gujarat and Haryana state boards IELTS is mandatory. The page says: “IELTS Mandatory”
IELTS
UG Set by course
PG Set by course
TOEFL iBT
UG Set by course
PG Set by course
PTE Academic
UG Set by course
PG Set by course
Duolingo English Test
UG Set by course
PG Set by course
Undergraduate
No university-wide scores are published. Each course page states an IELTS Academic figure; the page we read for English Language BA (Hons) asked 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component 'or an approved equivalent'. Recognised tests include PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT (test centre only) and Duolingo, but equivalent scores are not on the page. Offers are at the discretion of the admissions team.
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.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | – | AcceptedScore set on each course page; English Language BA (Hons) asks 6.0 overall, 5.5 in each component. | |
| TOEFL iBT | – | Only in some casesListed as accepted, test centre only. Equivalent scores are not published on the general page; they follow from the IELTS figure on the course page. | |
| PTE Academic | – | Only in some casesListed as accepted, test centre only. Equivalent scores are not published on the general page. | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Only in some casesListed as a recognised test, but no scores or course limits are given on the page. Check the course and your visa route. |
“International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).”
Acceptable English qualifications
Postgraduate taught (MSc)
Course pages differ. MSc pages we read: Electrical and Electronic Engineering 6.0 with 5.5 in each component; Accounting and Finance 6.5 with 5.5 in each; Sport, Exercise and Nutrition 6.5 with 6 in each; Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) 7 with 6.5 in each. All say 'or approved equivalent'.
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.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | – | AcceptedScore set on each course page (6.0 to 7.0 overall on the pages read). | |
| TOEFL iBT | – | Only in some casesListed as accepted, test centre only. Equivalent scores are not published on the general page. | |
| PTE Academic | – | Only in some casesListed as accepted, test centre only. Equivalent scores are not published on the general page. | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Only in some casesListed as a recognised test, but no scores or course limits are given. Check the course and your visa route. |
“International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).”
Acceptable English qualifications
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge Advanced English
- LanguageCert Academic (in-person, online and SELT)
- Trinity College Integrated Skills in English
- PSI Skills for English
- Kaplan KIC/KEELT
- QAHE English Language Test
- Password
- INTO English
- International Baccalaureate Literature / Language and Literature
- GCSE / International GCSE English
- WAEC / NECO (Nigeria; typically C6 for most courses)
- Indian Standard 12th English (most boards)
“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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