Sheffield, UK
University of Sheffield: English test requirements
Sheffield uses the same four-level scale (Standard, Good, Advanced, Proficiency) for undergraduate and postgraduate study, defined by IELTS with matching scores for other tests. Each course states its IELTS level in the prospectus or course listing. The general international page gives IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component for both levels, and notes some departments need more.
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 6.5
PG from 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4.5 / 88
PG from 4.5 / 88
PTE Academic
UG from 61
PG from 61
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Undergraduate
The IELTS requirement of each course is in the online prospectus; the other tests are matched to that IELTS level. Tests must be completed no more than two years before the course starts. The international page states IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component as the general minimum.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standarde.g. Computer Science BSc, Civil Engineering BEng, Economics BA, Biochemistry BSc, Business Management BASource for this group | 6.5no less than 6.0 in each component | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, from January 2026) / 88 (0-120)New scale: 4.5 in Listening and Speaking, 4.0 in Reading and Writing. Old scale: Listening 19, Reading 20, Speaking 22, Writing 19 | 61no less than 56 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
| Goode.g. Law LLB, History BA, English Literature BA, Pharmacy MPharm, Dental Surgery BDSSource for this group | 7.0no less than 6.5 in each component | 5.0 (new 1-6 scale) / 95 (0-120)New scale: 5.0 in Listening, 4.5 in all other components. Old scale: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 22 | 67no less than 61 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
| Advancede.g. Medicine MBChB, Graduate Entry Medicine MBChB, Journalism Studies BASource for this group | 7.5no less than 7.0 in each component | 5.5 (new 1-6 scale) / 103 (0-120)New scale: 5.0 in each component. Old scale: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24 | 72no less than 67 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
| Proficiencye.g. Speech and Language Therapy BMedSciSource for this group | 8.0no less than 7.5 in each component | 6.0 (new 1-6 scale) / 110 (0-120)New scale: 5.5 in each component. Old scale: Listening 24, Reading 26, Speaking 27, Writing 26 | 76no less than 72 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
“The IELTS requirements for individual courses are published in our online prospectus.”
English language requirements for undergraduates
Postgraduate
Same table as undergraduate. Taught course IELTS requirements are in each course listing; research degree requirements are on the PhD pages. Tests must be completed no more than two years before the course starts.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standarde.g. Advanced Computer Science MSc, Artificial Intelligence MSc, Business Analytics MSc, Biomedical Science MSc, Astrophysics MScSource for this group | 6.5no less than 6.0 in each component | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, from January 2026) / 88 (0-120)New scale: 4.5 in Listening and Speaking, 4.0 in Reading and Writing. Old scale: Listening 19, Reading 20, Speaking 22, Writing 19 | 61no less than 56 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
| Goode.g. History MA, Law MA, Philosophy MA, Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA, Social Research MASource for this group | 7.0no less than 6.5 in each component | 5.0 (new 1-6 scale) / 95 (0-120)New scale: 5.0 in Listening, 4.5 in all other components. Old scale: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 22 | 67no less than 61 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
| Advancede.g. English Literature MA, Journalism MASource for this group | 7.5no less than 7.0 in each component | 5.5 (new 1-6 scale) / 103 (0-120)New scale: 5.0 in each component. Old scale: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24 | 72no less than 67 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
| Proficiencye.g. Speech and Language Therapy MMedSciSource for this group | 8.0no less than 7.5 in each component | 6.0 (new 1-6 scale) / 110 (0-120)New scale: 5.5 in each component. Old scale: Listening 24, Reading 26, Speaking 27, Writing 26 | 76no less than 72 in each component | Not on the listNot on the page. |
“For postgraduate taught courses, the IELTS requirements are published in each course listing.”
English language requirements for postgraduates
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency)
- LanguageCert Academic SELT or Academic Online
- Oxford ELLT Global
- Oxford Test of English Advanced
- Trinity ISE III and IV
- NCUK English for Academic Purposes
- Occupational English Test (Faculty of Health courses only)
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS Life Skills
- IELTS General Training
- PTE Academic Online
- TOEFL paper-based test
- TOEFL MyBest scores
“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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