Swansea, UK
Swansea University: English test requirements
Swansea states its English requirement as an IELTS score on each course page, usually 6.0 for undergraduate and 6.5 for postgraduate degrees, and publishes one table converting IELTS 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 into other tests. Check the course page for the exact overall and component scores.
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
Indian Standard XII English marks can replace a test: for undergraduate entry from CBSE, CISCE, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal boards 70% matches IELTS 6.0, 75% matches 6.5 and 80% matches 7.0; Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (2018 onwards) boards need 75%, 80% and 85%. Boards not listed need an IELTS test. Postgraduate applicants can alternatively use a medium of instruction letter from a listed institution. The page says: “refer to the India section for details of CBSE, CISCE and State Board examination scores accepted at XII standard within 10 years”
Applicants from Nigeria
WAEC WASSC English at C6, C5 or C4 matches IELTS 6.0, 6.5 or 7.0; NECO SSC at C5, C4 or B3. A Nigerian degree or diploma taught in English can be accepted (postgraduate: Bachelor's or post-school diploma within 10 years).
IELTS
UG from 6.0
PG from 6.0
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4.5 / 79
PG from 4.5 / 79
PTE Academic
UG from 64
PG from 64
Duolingo English Test
UG Set by course
PG Set by course
Undergraduate
Swansea does not group courses; each course page states the IELTS score. Most undergraduate degrees ask for IELTS 6.0, with exceptions. The bands below are the three IELTS levels the university converts into other tests. Pearson and TOEFL component equivalents at IELTS 5.5 are Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17 (TOEFL) and 59 (PTE) in each; at IELTS 6.0 they are Listening 19, Reading 20, Speaking 22, Writing 20 (TOEFL) and 64 (PTE). Tests are valid for 2.5 years (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL).
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.0 levele.g. Computer Science BSc, Economics and Business BScSource for this group | 6.0at least 5.5 in each component (as stated on the Computer Science and Economics and Business course pages) | 4.5 (post 26 Jan 2026) / 79 (pre 26 Jan 2026, 0-120)component equivalents at IELTS 5.5: Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17 (0-120 scale) | 6459 in each component at the IELTS 5.5 level | Only in some casesAccepted for entry to pre-sessional programmes only. For a course requiring IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in all components the page gives DET 85+ for the 8-week and 80-85 for the 10-week pre-sessional. |
| IELTS 6.5 levelSource for this group | 6.5component minimum set on each course page | 4.5 (post 26 Jan 2026) / 88 (pre 26 Jan 2026, 0-120)component equivalents: at IELTS 6.0 Listening 19, Reading 20, Speaking 22, Writing 20; at IELTS 6.5 Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 22 | 69component equivalents: 59 at IELTS 5.5, 64 at IELTS 6.0, 69 at IELTS 6.5 | Only in some casesPre-sessional entry only. For IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in all components the page gives DET 90+ (8 weeks) or 80-90 (10 weeks); with 6.0 in all components 95+ or 85-95; with 6.5 in all components 100+ or 90-100. |
| IELTS 7.0 levelSource for this group | 7.0component minimum set on each course page | 5.0 (post 26 Jan 2026) / 96 (pre 26 Jan 2026, 0-120)component equivalents at IELTS 7.0: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24 | 7676 in each component at the IELTS 7.0 level | Only in some casesPre-sessional entry only. For IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in all components the page gives DET 110+ (8 weeks) or 100-110 (10 weeks). |
“Most academic departments will ask for an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) for undergraduate degrees, but there are exceptions”
Approved tests for nationals of any country (equivalence and component tables)
Postgraduate taught
Most postgraduate departments ask for IELTS 6.5, with exceptions, and the course page states the component minimum (6.0 on the LLM LegalTech page, 5.5 on the MSc Civil Engineering page). Bands below are the university's IELTS levels. A Bachelor's or higher from listed countries (including Nigeria, within 10 years) can remove the need for a test.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.0 levelSource for this group | 6.0component minimum set on each course page | 4.5 (post 26 Jan 2026) / 79 (pre 26 Jan 2026, 0-120)component equivalents at IELTS 5.5: Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 6459 in each component at the IELTS 5.5 level | Only in some casesPre-sessional entry only (see undergraduate). |
| IELTS 6.5 levele.g. LegalTech and Commercial Law LLM (6.0 in each component), Civil Engineering MSc (5.5 in each component)Source for this group | 6.56.0 in each component (LLM LegalTech); 5.5 in each component (MSc Civil Engineering) | 4.5 (post 26 Jan 2026) / 88 (pre 26 Jan 2026, 0-120)component equivalents: at IELTS 6.0 Listening 19, Reading 20, Speaking 22, Writing 20; at IELTS 6.5 Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 22 | 69component equivalents: 59 at IELTS 5.5, 64 at IELTS 6.0, 69 at IELTS 6.5 | Only in some casesPre-sessional entry only (see undergraduate). |
| IELTS 7.0 levelSource for this group | 7.0component minimum set on each course page | 5.0 (post 26 Jan 2026) / 96 (pre 26 Jan 2026, 0-120)component equivalents at IELTS 7.0: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24 | 7676 in each component at the IELTS 7.0 level | Only in some casesPre-sessional entry only (see undergraduate). |
“Most academic departments will ask for an IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for postgraduate degrees, but there are exceptions”
Approved tests for nationals of any country (equivalence and component tables)
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency (since 2015): 169 for IELTS 6.0, 176 for 6.5, 185 for 7.0
- LanguageCert Academic: 65, 70, 75 for IELTS 6.0, 6.5, 7.0
- Oxford ELLT Global and Digital: 6.0, 7, 8 for IELTS 6.0, 6.5, 7.0
- Swansea ELTS test (SWELT)
- IELTS Online
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- Pearson Test of English General level 4 pass (IELTS 6.0 and 6.5) and level 5 pass (7.0)
- CaMLA ECPE 650
- Euroexam C1 academic
- QA Higher Education English Language Test
- TOEFL at-home test and IELTS Indicator (pre-sessional programmes only)
“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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