Portsmouth, UK
University of Portsmouth: English test requirements
Portsmouth gives one general set of scores for foundation, most Bachelor's and most Master's courses, and says some courses need more; the course page is the final word. Duolingo is accepted but the page gives no score and says the condition is cleared after a credibility interview. India and Pakistan applicants go through a credibility interview.
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
A score of 75% or above in English on the Indian Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard 12 is accepted. The English requirements page excludes Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttrakhand; the India country page names only Punjab and Haryana. After meeting the English condition and paying a deposit, Indian applicants must complete a mandatory credibility interview. The page says: “Once you have met the English language requirement, you must complete a mandatory credibility interview.”
Applicants from Pakistan
All eligible applicants with an offer are invited to an online credibility interview and pre-CAS checks. If you took Duolingo, the English condition is cleared after a successful credibility interview. The page says: “If you have taken the Duolingo English language test, the English language condition will be cleared after a successful credibility interview.”
Applicants from Nigeria
Grade C6 or above in English on the WASSCE (or SSCE/NECO with a scratchcard to verify results) is accepted. The page says: “We accept a Grade C6 or above in English on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)”
IELTS
Foundation 5.5
UG 6.0
PG 6.5 to 7.0
TOEFL iBT
Foundation 72
UG 79
PG 91
PTE Academic
Foundation 59
UG 62
PG 65
Duolingo English Test
Foundation Set by course
UG Set by course
PG Set by course
Foundation and pathway courses
Pre-sessional and foundation applicants who need a visa must take a UKVI-approved test; TOEFL is not recognised by UKVI. TOEFL scores below are as printed; the page does not name the scale; the figures are shown exactly as printed. The PTE paragraph on the page refers to September 2025 entry.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 | no component below 5.5 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 | Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 59 | 59 in each component | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | Not published by the university | Only in some casesAccepted, but the page gives no score; it points to the Duolingo website for equivalencies and says offer conditions are updated after a credibility interview. |
“If you are interested in a Foundation or pathway course you need a minimum of IELTS band 5.5, with no component below 5.5.”
English language requirements (international students)
Undergraduate
These are the scores for most Bachelor's degrees; courses with a high level of discussion and writing ask for more and say so on the course page. The PTE paragraph on the page refers to September 2025 entry.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | no component below 5.5 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 | Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 62 | 59 in each component | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | Not published by the university | Only in some casesAccepted, but the page gives no score; the English condition is updated after a credibility interview. |
“For most of our Bachelor's degrees, you need a minimum of IELTS band 6.0, with no component below 5.5.”
English language requirements (international students)
Postgraduate taught
Scores for most Master's degrees. Some courses and PhDs ask for more: the MA TESOL page asks for IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.5, while MSc Engineering Management asks for 6.5 with no component below 6.0. The PTE paragraph on the page refers to September 2025 entry.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 to 7.0 (most Master's degrees) | no component below 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 91 | Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 21, Writing 20 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 65 | 62 in each component | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | Not published by the university | Only in some casesAccepted, but the page gives no score; the English condition is updated after a credibility interview. |
“For most of our Master's degrees, you need a minimum of IELTS band 6.5–7.0, with no component below 6.0.”
English language requirements (international students)
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (foundation 162; UG 169 with no component below 162; PG 176 with no component below 169)
- Trinity ISE III with a pass in all four components
- LanguageCert Academic SELT (65 for IELTS 6.0, 70 for 6.5, 75 for 7.0)
- Oxford ELLT
- PSI Skills for English SELT (UG B2 Pass; PG B2 Pass with Merit)
- Kaplan Test of English (UG 444; PG 478)
- TOEFL Essentials (Band 8 with interview)
- TOEFL MyBest Scores
- TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- ECPE 750
- Indian Standard XII 75% in English
- WASSCE / NECO C6
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS Academic Online
- IELTS General Training
- 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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