Leeds, UK
University of Leeds: English test requirements
Leeds states every course requirement as an IELTS profile and publishes one comparison table giving the matching TOEFL, PTE, LanguageCert, Oxford ELLT and Cambridge scores for each profile. The bands below are those profiles; the course page in the course search says which one applies. The undergraduate minimum is IELTS 6.0 and the masters minimum is IELTS 6.5. Duolingo is not mentioned.
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
PG from 6.5
PhD 6.0
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4 / 80
PG from 4.5 / 88
PhD 4 / 80
PTE Academic
UG from 60
PG from 64
PhD 60
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
PhD Not on the list
Undergraduate
Bands are the IELTS profiles in the Leeds comparison table, from the undergraduate minimum (IELTS 6.0, no less than 5.5 in each component) upwards; each course page states its own profile. The page says some courses need higher scores. TOEFL scores are given for tests before and on or after 21 January 2026. All listed tests must be no more than two years old at the course start, taken in a single sitting (a single test plus One Skill Retake is allowed for IELTS) and at a test centre.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 5.5 in each componente.g. Computer Science BSc, Mathematics BSc, Physics BSc, Data Science BSc, Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering BEngSource for this group | 6.0no less than 5.5 in each component | 4 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 80 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4 in each component. Old scale: no less than 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 19 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 60no less than 59 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other componentsSource for this group | 6.0no less than 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components | 4 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 80 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4 in each component. Old scale: no less than 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 21 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 60no less than 60 in writing and 59 in all other componentsPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in all other componentsSource for this group | 6.0no less than 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in all other components | 4 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 80 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4.5 in writing and 4 in all other components. Old scale: no less than 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 22 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 60no less than 64 in writing and 59 in all other componentsPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 6.0 in each componentSource for this group | 6.0no less than 6.0 in each component | 4 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 80 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4 in each component. Old scale: no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 21 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 60no less than 60 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in each componente.g. Law LLB, Economics BSc, Business Management BA, English Literature BA, Journalism BASource for this group | 6.5no less than 6.0 in each component | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 88 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4 in each component. Old scale: no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 21 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 64no less than 60 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other componentsSource for this group | 6.5no less than 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other components | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 88 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4.5 in writing and 4 in all other components. Old scale: no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 22 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 64no less than 64 in writing and 60 in all other componentsPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other componentsSource for this group | 6.5no less than 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other components | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 88 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 5 in writing and 4 in all other components. Old scale: no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 24 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 64no less than 68 in writing and 60 in all other componentsPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in each componente.g. Nursing (Adult) BSc, Social Work BA, Diagnostic Radiography BSc, Psychology with Education BScSource for this group | 7.0no less than 6.5 in each component | 5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 95 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4.5 in each component. Old scale: no less than 22 in reading, 22 in listening, 24 in speaking and 22 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 68no less than 64 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in speaking and 7.5 in listeningSource for this group | 7.0no less than 6.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in speaking and 7.5 in listening | 5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 95 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4.5 in reading and writing, 5 in speaking and 5.5 in listening. Old scale: no less than 22 in reading, 24 in listening, 25 in speaking and 22 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 68no less than 64 in reading and writing, 68 in speaking and 74 in listeningPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 7.0 in each componentSource for this group | 7.0no less than 7.0 in each component | 5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 95 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 5 in each component. Old scale: no less than 23 in reading, 23 in listening, 25 in speaking and 24 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 68no less than 68 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.5 overall, no less than 7.5 in speakingSource for this group | 7.5no less than 7.5 in speaking | 5.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 103 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 5.5 in speaking. Old scale: no less than 26 in speakingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 74no less than 74 in speakingPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 5.5 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 65; Oxford ELLT Global 6; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 169
IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 65; Oxford ELLT Global 6; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 169
IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in all other components, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 65; Oxford ELLT Global 6; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 169
IELTS 6.0 overall, no less than 6.0 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 65; Oxford ELLT Global 6; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 169
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 70; Oxford ELLT Global 7; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 176
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other components, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 70; Oxford ELLT Global 7; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 176
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other components, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 70; Oxford ELLT Global 7; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 176
IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 75; Oxford ELLT Global 8; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 185
IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in speaking and 7.5 in listening, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 75; Oxford ELLT Global 8; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 185
IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 7.0 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 75; Oxford ELLT Global 8; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 185
IELTS 7.5 overall, no less than 7.5 in speaking, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 80; Oxford ELLT Global 9; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 191
“Some of our courses have higher English language requirements than others.”
Entry requirements for international applicants (English language requirements by level)
Masters
Bands are the IELTS profiles in the Leeds comparison table from the masters minimum (IELTS 6.5, no less than 6.0 in each component) upwards; each course page states its own profile. Same test-age and test-format rules as undergraduate.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in each componente.g. English Literature MA, Data Science MSc, Aerospace Engineering MSc, Transport Planning MSc, International History MASource for this group | 6.5no less than 6.0 in each component | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 88 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4 in each component. Old scale: no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 21 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 64no less than 60 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other componentsSource for this group | 6.5no less than 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other components | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 88 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4.5 in writing and 4 in all other components. Old scale: no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 22 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 64no less than 64 in writing and 60 in all other componentsPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other componentsSource for this group | 6.5no less than 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other components | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 88 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 5 in writing and 4 in all other components. Old scale: no less than 20 in reading, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 24 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 64no less than 68 in writing and 60 in all other componentsPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in each componente.g. Systemic Family Therapy MSc, Oral Surgery MScSource for this group | 7.0no less than 6.5 in each component | 5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 95 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4.5 in each component. Old scale: no less than 22 in reading, 22 in listening, 24 in speaking and 22 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 68no less than 64 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in speaking and 7.5 in listeninge.g. Conference Interpreting and Translation Studies MASource for this group | 7.0no less than 6.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in speaking and 7.5 in listening | 5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 95 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 4.5 in reading and writing, 5 in speaking and 5.5 in listening. Old scale: no less than 22 in reading, 24 in listening, 25 in speaking and 22 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 68no less than 64 in reading and writing, 68 in speaking and 74 in listeningPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 7.0 in each componentSource for this group | 7.0no less than 7.0 in each component | 5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 95 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 5 in each component. Old scale: no less than 23 in reading, 23 in listening, 25 in speaking and 24 in writingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 68no less than 68 in each componentPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| IELTS 7.5 overall, no less than 7.5 in speakingSource for this group | 7.5no less than 7.5 in speaking | 5.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 January 2026) / 103 (0-120, tests before 21 January 2026)New scale: no less than 5.5 in speaking. Old scale: no less than 26 in speakingTest centre only, single sitting. MyBest scores and the Paper Edition are not accepted. | 74no less than 74 in speakingPTE Academic Online is not accepted. | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 70; Oxford ELLT Global 7; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 176
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other components, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 70; Oxford ELLT Global 7; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 176
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other components, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 70; Oxford ELLT Global 7; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 176
IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 75; Oxford ELLT Global 8; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 185
IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in speaking and 7.5 in listening, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 75; Oxford ELLT Global 8; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 185
IELTS 7.0 overall, no less than 7.0 in each component, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 75; Oxford ELLT Global 8; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 185
IELTS 7.5 overall, no less than 7.5 in speaking, other tests: LanguageCert Academic or Academic SELT 80; Oxford ELLT Global 9; Cambridge English (qualification depends on the grade needed) 191
Research degrees
Research degrees use the same scores as undergraduate degrees (the page also lists LanguageCert, Oxford ELLT Global, Oxford Test of English Advanced, Cambridge English, Trinity ISE and Study Group AES at those levels). Courses may set higher scores.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / IELTS for UKVI (Academic) | 6.0 | no less than 5.5 in each component | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 4 (new 1-6 scale) / 80 (0-120) | New scale: no less than 4 in each component. Old scale: reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20, writing 19 | AcceptedSame TOEFL equivalence as the undergraduate row on the page. |
| PTE Academic / PTE Academic UKVI | 60 | no less than 59 in each component | AcceptedSame PTE equivalence as the undergraduate row on the page. |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot mentioned on the entry requirements page. |
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge English (B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)
- LanguageCert Academic / Academic SELT
- Oxford ELLT Global
- Oxford Test of English Advanced
- Trinity ISE II
- NCUK English for Academic Purposes
- Study Group Academic English Skills
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL MyBest scores
- TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
- PTE Academic Online
“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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