Guildford, UK
University of Surrey: English test requirements
Surrey expresses every English requirement as an IELTS level (from 7.5 down to 5.5) and prints the equivalent in each other test; the course page says which level applies. Most tests must be within two years (Oxford ELLT 18 months; Cambridge and LanguageCert within five years).
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 Nigeria
The West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) at grade C6 can be considered for programmes needing GCSE English C/4 or IELTS 6.5 with no lower than 6.0 in any component; higher levels may need a test. The page says: “West African Senior School Certificate or Senior School Certificate at grade C6”
Applicants from India
Twelfth board English can be considered for programmes needing GCSE English C/4 or IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component: 70 percent for CBSE and ISC, 80 percent for most state boards. The page says: “70% in 12th board exam English from CBSE/ISC boards”
IELTS
UG from 5.5
PG from 5.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4 / 72
PG from 4 / 72
PTE Academic
UG from 59
PG from 59
Duolingo English Test
UG from 100
PG from 100
Undergraduate
Surrey writes every requirement as an IELTS level and the page gives the equivalent score in each other test. The course page states the IELTS level. The page covers undergraduate, taught and research postgraduate courses together.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each bandSource for this group | 7.5no band below 7.0IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 5.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 101 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 5, Listening 5, Speaking 5, Writing 5; 0-120: Reading 24, Listening 22, Speaking 25, Writing 24TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 7976 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 140130 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each bandSource for this group | 7.0no band below 6.5IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 95 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4.5, Listening 4.5, Speaking 4.5, Writing 4.5; 0-120: Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 23, Writing 22TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 7667 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 130120 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each bande.g. NutritionSource for this group | 6.5no band below 6.0IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4; 0-120: Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 22, Writing 19TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 6764 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 120110 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (6.0 in writing)e.g. Law, Business Management, Psychology, Economics, English Literature and FrenchSource for this group | 6.5Writing 6.0, 5.5 in each other bandIELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 19TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 67Reading 59, Speaking 59, Listening 59, Writing 64Online test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 120Reading 100, Speaking 100, Listening 100, Writing 110Figures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each componente.g. Computer Science, Mechanical EngineeringSource for this group | 6.0no component below 5.5IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 6459 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 110100 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.0 in each componentSource for this group | 5.5no component below 5.0IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 72 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 3.5, Listening 3.5, Speaking 3.5, Writing 3.5; 0-120: Reading 13, Listening 15, Speaking 18, Writing 16TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 5954 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 10085 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each band, other tests: Cambridge English 191; LanguageCert Academic 80; Oxford ELLT 9
IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each band, other tests: Cambridge English 185; LanguageCert Academic 75; Oxford ELLT 8
IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band, other tests: Cambridge English 176; LanguageCert Academic 70; Oxford ELLT 7
IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (6.0 in writing), other tests: Cambridge English 176; LanguageCert Academic 70; Oxford ELLT 7
IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component, other tests: Cambridge English 169; LanguageCert Academic 65; Oxford ELLT 6
IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.0 in each component, other tests: Cambridge English 162; LanguageCert Academic 60; Oxford ELLT 5
“The score or level of English language required varies between courses.”
International English language requirements
Postgraduate
The same IELTS-level scheme and equivalents apply to postgraduate courses; each course page states the level. A test is not needed for nationals of majority English-speaking countries and for qualifying degrees studied there.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each bandSource for this group | 7.5no band below 7.0IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 5.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 101 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 5, Listening 5, Speaking 5, Writing 5; 0-120: Reading 24, Listening 22, Speaking 25, Writing 24TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 7976 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 140130 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each bandSource for this group | 7.0no band below 6.5IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 95 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4.5, Listening 4.5, Speaking 4.5, Writing 4.5; 0-120: Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 23, Writing 22TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 7667 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 130120 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each bandSource for this group | 6.5no band below 6.0IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4; 0-120: Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 22, Writing 19TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 6764 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 120110 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (6.0 in writing)e.g. Data Science MSc, Artificial Intelligence MScSource for this group | 6.5Writing 6.0, 5.5 in each other bandIELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 19TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 67Reading 59, Speaking 59, Listening 59, Writing 64Online test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 120Reading 100, Speaking 100, Listening 100, Writing 110Figures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each componentSource for this group | 6.0no component below 5.5IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 4, Listening 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 6459 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 110100 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
| IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.0 in each componentSource for this group | 5.5no component below 5.0IELTS Academic or IELTS Online; One Skill Retake accepted. | 4 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 72 (old 0-120 system)1-6: Reading 3.5, Listening 3.5, Speaking 3.5, Writing 3.5; 0-120: Reading 13, Listening 15, Speaking 18, Writing 16TOEFL iBT and Special Home Edition. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 5954 in each componentOnline test not accepted. The page labels these as equivalent scores to the IELTS level. | 10085 in each componentFigures for a Duolingo result with speaking, writing, reading and listening scores; the page gives a separate table for the older literacy, comprehension, conversation and production result. Results must be shared with the university. |
IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each band, other tests: Cambridge English 191; LanguageCert Academic 80; Oxford ELLT 9
IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each band, other tests: Cambridge English 185; LanguageCert Academic 75; Oxford ELLT 8
IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band, other tests: Cambridge English 176; LanguageCert Academic 70; Oxford ELLT 7
IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (6.0 in writing), other tests: Cambridge English 176; LanguageCert Academic 70; Oxford ELLT 7
IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component, other tests: Cambridge English 169; LanguageCert Academic 65; Oxford ELLT 6
IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.0 in each component, other tests: Cambridge English 162; LanguageCert Academic 60; Oxford ELLT 5
Other tests the university lists
- GCSE English Language C/4 and other school qualifications
- A University of Surrey or British Council UK pre-sessional English course
- National qualifications listed on the page for several countries
The page says these are not accepted
- PTE Academic Online
- LanguageCert Academic online test
“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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