Paisley, UK
University of the West of Scotland: English test requirements
UWS sets one standard IELTS level for bachelor's and taught master's degrees, a lower one for CertHE and a higher one for research, with higher named levels for Nursing and Midwifery, Biomedical Science, Paramedic Science and Social Work.
Checked on 2 Nov 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 5.0
PG from 6.0
PhD 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 4.5
PG from 4.5
PhD 5
PTE Academic
UG 59
PG 59
PhD 66
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
PhD Not on the list
Undergraduate
Standard bachelor's level plus CertHE and four professional course groups with higher IELTS levels. Any English qualification must be taken within two years of the course start. The page lists tests other than IELTS as acceptable for bachelor's study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9) and above.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc)Source for this group | 6.0no sub-test below 5.5 | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | 59no element below 59For degrees needing IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test below 5.5. At-home test not accepted. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| CertHESource for this group | 5.0no sub-test below 4.5 | Not on the listNo separate CertHE figure is given. | Not on the listNo separate CertHE figure is given. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| Nursing and Midwiferye.g. BSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc MidwiferySource for this group | 7.0no less than 7.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking; no less than 6.5 in Writing | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | Not on the listPTE figures are published only for IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 level degrees, not for this course's level. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| Biomedical Sciencee.g. BSc Applied Biomedical Science, BSc Biomedical ScienceSource for this group | 7.0no sub-test below 6.5 | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | Not on the listPTE figures are published only for IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 level degrees, not for this course's level. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| Paramedic Sciencee.g. BSc Paramedic ScienceSource for this group | 7.0no sub-test below 6.5 | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | Not on the listPTE figures are published only for IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 level degrees, not for this course's level. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| Social Worke.g. BA (Hons) Social WorkSource for this group | 7.0no sub-test less than 7.0 | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | Not on the listPTE figures are published only for IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 level degrees, not for this course's level. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
Undergraduate (BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc), other tests: LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator Pass
Nursing and Midwifery, other tests: LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert Pass
“Undergraduate (BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc) - IELTS overall score 6.0 with no sub-test score below 5.5”
English language requirements
Postgraduate taught
Standard taught master's level matches undergraduate; the same professional groups have higher IELTS levels.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Taught (MA, MBA, MSc)Source for this group | 6.0no sub-test below 5.5 | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | 59no element below 59For degrees needing IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test below 5.5. At-home test not accepted. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| Nursing and Midwiferye.g. MSc Adult Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc MidwiferySource for this group | 7.0no less than 7.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking; no less than 6.5 in Writing | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | Not on the listPTE figures are published only for IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 level degrees, not for this course's level. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| Biomedical Sciencee.g. MSc Advanced Biomedical ScienceSource for this group | 7.0no sub-test below 6.5 | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | Not on the listPTE figures are published only for IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 level degrees, not for this course's level. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
| Social Worke.g. MSc Social WorkSource for this group | 7.0no sub-test less than 7.0 | 4.54.5 in each element (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)The page gives this for all taught degree applications; the scale is not named. | Not on the listPTE figures are published only for IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 level degrees, not for this course's level. | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
Postgraduate Taught (MA, MBA, MSc), other tests: LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator Pass or High Pass
Nursing and Midwifery, other tests: LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert Pass
“Postgraduate Taught (MA, MBA, MSc) - IELTS overall score 6.0 with no sub-test score below 5.5”
English language requirements
Research degrees
Applies to MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA and DProf.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | no sub-test below 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 5 | no sub-test less than 5 | AcceptedThe page does not name the scale. |
| PTE Academic | 66 | no element below 66 | AcceptedGiven for degrees needing IELTS 6.5 with no sub-test below 6.0. At-home test not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listDuolingo is not mentioned on the page. |
“For all research degree applications (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), TOEFL iBT: 5; with no sub-test less than 5”
English language requirements
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency (grade C)
- Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (170, no element below 163)
- LanguageCert Academic SELT (60 in each skill)
- Oxford ELLT (B2)
- Password English Language Test (6.0, test centre only, Year 3 and above)
- Skills for English SELT (B2)
- Trinity ISE II (90, minimum 80 in each skill)
- UWS English Language Entry Test
The page says these are not accepted
- PTE Academic at home
- Password at home
“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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