Edinburgh, UK
University of Edinburgh: English test requirements
Edinburgh lists accepted tests on general pages but puts the scores in the degree finder, so each programme has its own figures. Example degrees are shown below. PTE and Duolingo do not appear on either general page.
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 Set by course
PG Set by course
TOEFL iBT
UG Set by course
PG Set by course
PTE Academic
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Undergraduate
English requirements vary between degrees and the test scores are in the undergraduate degree finder; two example degrees are shown below. IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, Oxford ELLT and Oxford Test of English Advanced results must be no more than two years old on the first of the month the degree starts, whatever your nationality; other qualifications (including Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency) may be up to three and a half years old. Trinity ISE was accepted for 2026 entry only and was under review for 2027.
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 (course finder).
| Example course | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example degree: Ancient History MA (Hons)e.g. Ancient History MA (Hons)Source for this group | 6.5at least 5.5 in each componentIELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted. | 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 92 (before, 0-120)0-120: 20 in each component; 1-6: 4.0 in each componentMyBest Score is not accepted. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. |
| Example degree: Accounting and Finance MA (Hons)e.g. Accounting and Finance MA (Hons)Source for this group | 7.0at least 6.0 in each componentIELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted. | 5.0 (from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 100 (before, 0-120)0-120: 20 in each component; 1-6: 4.0 in each componentMyBest Score is not accepted. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. |
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / UKVI / Academic Online | – | AcceptedOne test must meet all requirements. IELTS One Skill Retake and General Training are not accepted. | |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and Paper Edition) | – | AcceptedThe degree finder shows both the old and the new scale (tests from 21 January 2026). MyBest Score is not accepted. | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the listNot on the general page; check the degree finder for your degree. | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot on the general page; check the degree finder for your degree. | |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | – | AcceptedScore set per degree; the general page gives none. May be up to three and a half years old. | |
| Oxford ELLT Global and Digital; Oxford Test of English Advanced | – | AcceptedOxford ELLT Skill Retake is not accepted. |
Example degree: Ancient History MA (Hons), other tests: Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 176; Oxford ELLT 7
Example degree: Accounting and Finance MA (Hons), other tests: Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 185; Oxford ELLT 8
“English language requirements vary between degrees.”
Undergraduate English language requirements
Postgraduate
Scores are set per programme in the degree finder. Three example courses are shown below (MSc Computer Science, Analytical Chemistry and Accounting and Financial Management); each page gives its own figures on both TOEFL scales. IELTS One Skill Retake and Oxford ELLT Skill Retake are accepted for online programmes only.
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 (course finder).
| Example course | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example course: MSc Computer Science (2027 start)e.g. MSc Computer ScienceSource for this group | 7.0at least 6.5 in three components and 6.0 in the remaining one | 5.0 (from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 100 (before, 0-120)0-120: 23 in three components and 20 in the other; 1-6: 4.5 in three components and 4.0 in the otherMyBest Score not accepted. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. |
| Example course: Analytical Chemistry MSce.g. Analytical Chemistry MScSource for this group | 6.5at least 6.0 in each componentIELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted. | 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 92 (before, 0-120)0-120: 23 in each component; 1-6: 4.5 in each componentMyBest Score is not accepted. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. |
| Example course: Accounting and Financial Management MSce.g. Accounting and Financial Management MScSource for this group | 7.0at least 6.0 in each componentIELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted. | 5.0 (from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 100 (before, 0-120)0-120: 20 in each component; 1-6: 4.0 in each componentMyBest Score is not accepted. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. | Not on the listNot in the list of accepted tests on this course page. |
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / UKVI / Academic Online | – | AcceptedScores per programme. General Training and IELTS for UKVI General are not accepted. | |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | – | AcceptedScores per programme, both scales shown in the degree finder. MyBest Score is not accepted. | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the listNot on the general page; check the degree finder. | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot on the general page; check the degree finder. | |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | – | AcceptedMay be up to three and a half years old. | |
| Oxford ELLT Global and Digital; Oxford Test of English Advanced | – | Accepted |
Example course: MSc Computer Science (2027 start), other tests: Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 185; Oxford ELLT 8
Example course: Analytical Chemistry MSc, other tests: Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 176; Oxford ELLT 7
Example course: Accounting and Financial Management MSc, other tests: Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 185; Oxford ELLT 8
“You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study your degree programme.”
Postgraduate English language requirements
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency
- Oxford ELLT Global and Digital
- Oxford Test of English Advanced
- A degree taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country or at an approved university (postgraduate)
- University pre-sessional programmes (postgraduate)
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS General Training
- IELTS One Skill Retake (undergraduate; postgraduate online programmes only)
- IELTS Life Skills for UKVI
- TOEFL MyBest Score
- Oxford ELLT Skill Retake (postgraduate online 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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