Egham, UK
Royal Holloway, University of London: English test requirements
Royal Holloway sets English scores by subject on one page, with separate undergraduate and taught postgraduate entries for each department. They fall into a few repeating profiles, shown here as bands. The page gives TOEFL iBT on the 0-120 scale only.
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 Pakistan
A Bachelor's or Master's degree from the listed Pakistani universities can be accepted as proof of English (medium of instruction), valid for 3 years from the end of the degree. For postgraduate degrees, a Bachelor's from four named universities may meet the requirement. The page says: “MOI (Medium of Instruction) acceptance is valid for 3 years from the end of your degree.”
Applicants from India
Exemption is available with a degree from the listed Indian universities (medium of instruction, valid 3 years) or with Class 12 English at 70% for undergraduate and taught postgraduate study (valid 2 years for UG) and 80% for research degrees (valid 5 years). The page says: “Class 12 English Language: 70% for UG (valid for 2 years) and PGT study, and 80% for Research Degrees (both valid for 5 years)”
Applicants from Nigeria
For postgraduate degrees, a Bachelor's degree completed in Nigeria may automatically meet the English requirement. The page says: “For postgraduate degrees, if you have completed your bachelors degree in Nigeria you may automatically meet our English language requirement.”
IELTS
UG from 6.5
PG from 6.5
PhD 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 88
PG from 88
PhD 88
PTE Academic
UG from 67
PG from 67
PhD 67
Duolingo English Test
UG from 120
PG from 120
PhD 120
Undergraduate
Every department lists its own scores. Two profiles repeat for undergraduate degrees: IELTS 6.5 with a higher Writing score, and IELTS 6.5 with no subscore below 5.5. BSc Mathematics and Management and BSc Mathematics and Music use the first profile; all other Mathematics programmes use the second. Scores must come from a certificate issued no more than two years before the course starts. The university may ask for further evidence in individual cases.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in Writinge.g. Accounting and Financial Management, Law, English, Psychology, EconomicsSource for this group | 6.56.0 in Writing, no other subscore below 5.5 | 88 (0-120)Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 19 | 6763 in Writing, no other subscore below 59 | 120115 in Literacy, 115 in Production, no sub-score below 100 |
| IELTS 6.5 with no subscore below 5.5e.g. Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Physics, Biological Sciences, GeographySource for this group | 6.5no subscore below 5.5 | 88 (0-120)Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 67no subscore below 59 | 120no sub-score below 100 |
“Our required scores vary depending on the language demands of the subject you wish to study.”
English language requirements for international students (all subjects, UG, PGT, PGR)
Postgraduate taught
All taught postgraduate degrees ask for IELTS 6.5 overall; the subscore rule depends on the department. Most arts, social science, business and law departments ask for no subscore below 6.0. Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Information Security and Mathematics ask for no subscore below 5.5. Biological Sciences and two Geography MRes degrees ask for 7.0 in Writing. Occupational Therapy (pre-registration MSc) asks for IELTS 7.0. Global Health programmes sit in the first band. Physics taught postgraduate degrees also sit in the first band.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.5 with no subscore below 6.0e.g. Accounting and Financial Management, Law, English, Psychology, MusicSource for this group | 6.5no subscore below 6.0 | 88 (0-120)Reading 22, Listening 20, Speaking 22, Writing 24 | 67no other subscore below 63 | 120no sub-score below 115 |
| IELTS 6.5 with no subscore below 5.5e.g. Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Information Security, MathematicsSource for this group | 6.5no subscore below 5.5 | 88 (0-120)Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 67no subscore below 59 | 120no sub-score below 100 |
| IELTS 6.5 with 7.0 in Writinge.g. Biological Sciences, MRes Cultural Geography, MRes Geopolitics, Development, Security and JusticeSource for this group | 6.57.0 in Writing, no other subscore below 5.5 | 88 (0-120)Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 26 | 6771 in Writing, no other subscore below 59 | 120135 in Literacy, 135 in Production, no sub-score below 100 |
| IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in Writing (Social Work)e.g. Social Work (taught postgraduate)Source for this group | 6.56.0 in Writing, no other subscore below 5.5 | 88 (0-120)Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 19 | 6763 in Writing, no other subscore below 59 | 120115 in Literacy, 115 in Production, no sub-score below 100 |
| IELTS 7.0 (MSc Occupational Therapy, pre-registration)e.g. MSc (Pre-Registration) Occupational TherapySource for this group | 7.0no sub-score below 6.5 | 97 (0-120)Reading 25, Listening 25, Speaking 25, Writing 25 | 71no other sub-score below 67 | 130no sub-score below 125 |
“Our required scores vary depending on the language demands of the subject you wish to study.”
English language requirements for international students (all subjects, UG, PGT, PGR)
Postgraduate research (PhD, MRes by research)
One set of scores for all research degrees.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 7.0 in Writing, no other subscore below 5.5 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 (0-120) | Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 26 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 67 | 71 in Writing, no other subscore below 59 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | 135 in Literacy, 135 in Production, no sub-score below 100 | Accepted |
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C, listed for the arts, social science and business departments and some others (not listed for Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or Mathematics undergraduate and taught entries)
- Trinity ISE III or ISE IV depending on the department
- OnCampus Test of English (OCTOE)
- LanguageCert Academic (in person and online)
- Kaplan Test of English
- Oxford ELLT Digital and Global
- Oxford Test of English (Standard and Advanced)
- IELTS indicator
“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 Royal Holloway, University of London or any test owner. University names are used only to identify them. Test names are trademarks of their owners.