Birmingham, UK
University of Birmingham: English test requirements
Birmingham puts every undergraduate degree into Group A, B, C or D and every postgraduate area into one of three tables, so one page shows the scores for each. Some courses ask for more, and the offer letter decides. Duolingo is listed only for the integrated foundation year.
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.
IELTS
UG from 6.0
Foundation from 5.5
PG from 6.0
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4.5 / 80
Foundation from 4 / 72
PG from 4.5 / 80
PTE Academic
UG from 64
Foundation from 59
PG from 64
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
Foundation from 105
PG Not on the list
Undergraduate
Each degree sits in Group A, B, C or D; the page has a list matching degrees to groups. Only your most recent test counts, and tests are normally valid for two years at the programme start. Some degrees ask for more than the stated minimum.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Ae.g. Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, BiosciencesSource for this group | 6.0no band below 5.5 | 4.5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (before, 0-120)1-6: no skill below 4; 0-120: Reading 19, Listening 19, Speaking 21, Writing 19 | 64no skill below 59 | – |
| Group Be.g. Law, Education, Psychology, Biomedical Science, Sociology, Political Science and International RelationsSource for this group | 6.5no band below 6.0Business School courses ask for 6.5 with 6.5 in Writing and Speaking. | 4.5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (before, 0-120)1-6: 4.5 in two skills and 4 in the other two; 0-120: Reading 21, Listening 20, Speaking 22, Writing 21Business School: 88 with at least 22 in Writing and Speaking. | 67no skill below 64Business School: 67 with 67 in Writing and Speaking. | – |
| Group Ce.g. Dental Hygiene and Therapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Social WorkSource for this group | 7.0no band below 6.5 | 5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 95 (before, 0-120)1-6: no skill below 4.5; 0-120: no band below 22 | 76no skill below 67 | – |
| Group De.g. Dentistry (BDS), Medicine (MBChB), NursingSource for this group | 7.0no band below 7.0 | 5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 95 (before, 0-120)1-6: no skill below 5; 0-120: no band below 23 | 7676 in all four skills | – |
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listListed only for the four-year Bachelor's with Integrated Foundation Year (105 in all skills, or 115 overall with 105 in each skill for Law and English Literature). Not listed for direct entry to Groups A to D. |
“Please note that the grades stated above are the University minimum and some degree programmes will have higher requirements.”
Undergraduate international entry requirements (2027 entry)
Integrated Foundation Year (four-year Bachelor's)
For the four-year Bachelor's with an Integrated Foundation Year. The separate one-year foundation programmes at Birmingham International Academy do not accept TOEFL.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most pathwayse.g. All pathways except progression to Law or English LiteratureSource for this group | 5.5at least 5.5 in each band | 4 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 72 (before, 0-120)1-6: no skill below 4; 0-120: Listening 18, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 5959 in all skills | 105105 in all skills |
| Law or English Literaturee.g. Progression to Law or English LiteratureSource for this group | 6.0at least 5.5 in each band | 4.5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (before, 0-120)1-6: no skill below 4; 0-120: Reading 19, Listening 19, Speaking 21, Writing 19 | 64no skill below 59 | 115no skill below 105 |
Postgraduate
Three academic areas, each with its own scores. Some programmes require higher or lower grades, and some Business programmes ask for more, so check the course entry. The page was headed 2026 entry when read. Birmingham also offers its own pre-sessional English courses for applicants who do not yet have the required level.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScienceSource for this group | 6.0no band below 5.5 | 4.5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (before, 0-120)1-6: no skill below 4; 0-120: Reading 19, Listening 19, Speaking 21, Writing 19 | 64no skill below 59 | – |
| Arts, Business Economics, Computer Science, International Business, Metallurgy and Materials, Dentistry, Education (taught), Engineering, Health Sciences, Law (LLM), Medicine, Social Sciencese.g. Computer Science, Engineering, Law (LLM), MedicineSource for this group | 6.5no band below 6.0 | 4.5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (before, 0-120)1-6: 4.5 in any two skills and 4 in the other two; 0-120: Reading 21, Listening 20, Speaking 22, Writing 21 | 67no skill below 64 | – |
| ClinPsyD, Education (research), Managemente.g. ClinPsyD, Education (research), ManagementSource for this group | 7.0no band below 6.5 | 5 (from Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 95 (before, 0-120)1-6: no skill below 4.5; 0-120: no band below 22 | 76no skill below 67 | – |
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot mentioned on the postgraduate page. |
“IELTS tests must be the Academic version, we cannot accept the General test.”
International postgraduate entry requirements (page headed 2026 entry)
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency (undergraduate Group A 169, Group B 176, Groups C and D 185; postgraduate matching tiers)
- LanguageCert Academic
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI)
- Trinity ISE II and III
- Oxford ELLT Global or Digital
- IELTS One Skill Retake
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS General Training
“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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