Frequently asked questions - English language requirements
What are the English language requirements?
Most of our courses will ask you to have a minimum of the following IELTS or TOEFL scores:
- IETLS 6.0 (with no contributing band at less than 5.5)
- TOEFL paper based 550
- TOEFL computer based 213
- TOEFL internet based 79
In certain circumstances we can accept other English language examinations and you should contact us for details or see non-standard and standard equivalences tables below.
My IELTS score is 5.5 can you help me?
We offer a 7-week Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes course if you have attained an IELTS score of 5.5. This course is free of charge to you as long as you subsequently enrol on a taught undergraduate or postgraduate course at Ulster.
My IELTS score is 4.5 - can you help me?
We offer a 9-month Diploma in Foundation English for Academic Purposes (DipFEAP). The DipFEAP is one of the few foundation courses, in the UK or Ireland, which offers you the opportunity to obtain a university award. If you wish to improve your English language ability in order to meet university English language requirements then this may be the course for you! You can find out more information here.
Can I improve my English language ability when I am studying at the University of Ulster?
When you are a student at Ulster you will be able to participate in English language workshops that are designed to help you to improve your academic writing, reading and listening skills.
Non-standard requirements
| IELTS score | IELTS details | TOEFL score | TOEFL details | |
| MA Journalism | 7.5 | a minimum of 7.5 in each individual band score | ||
| PgDip/MSc Political Lobbying and Public Affairs | 7 | |||
| PgDip/MSc Nursing | 6.5 | a minimum of 5.5 in each individual band score | 600 | paper-based |
| PgDip/MSc Communication, Advertising and Public Relations | 7 | with a score of 6.0 on each subscale | 600 | paper-based |
| PgDip/MSc Palliative Care | 6.5 | with a score of 5.5 on each subscale | ||
| PgDip/MSc Specialised Midwifery Practice | 6.5 | with a score of 5.5 on each subscale | ||
| PgDip/MSc Interdisciplinary Dementia Studies | 6.5 | with a score of 6.0 on each subscale | ||
| PgDip/MSc Community and Public Health Nursing | 6.5 |
Standard requirements
| Test | Score |
| IELTS | 6.0 - no less than 5.5 in any one band |
| TOEFL Internet Based Test: | 80.0 |
| TOEFL Computer Based Test: | 213 and 4.0 Essay Rating |
| TOEFL Paper Based Test: | 550.0 |
| Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | D |
| Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) | C |
| Cambridge ESOL BEC Higher | C |
| Michigan (MELAB) | 80.0 |
| University of Reading TEEP | 6.0 |
| UCL Graduate Preparatory Course | 6.0 |
| WELT - Warwick English Language Test | CCC |
| International Baccalaureate | 5.0 |
| Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) - Use of English | D |
| HKEAA - Syllabus B | C |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) International Qualifications - English for Business (EfB) Level 3 | Pass |
| LCCI International Qualifications - English for Commerce (EfC) Level 3 | Pass |
| City & Guilds International ESOL (IESOL) + International Spoken ESOL (ISESOL) | IESOL "Pass" or above at Expert level + ISESOL "Pass" or above at Expert level (must have both) |