Acceptable English Language tests
This page contains a guide to the only acceptable English language tests that can be used to meet a condition of offer (normally made in terms of IELTS scores) made by the University of Reading.
If the test you are intending to take is not listed, please contact the Admissions Team for advice using the details on the right.
Please note that this information may change as rules on acceptability change so please do keep checking back.
Tests acceptable for entry onto a Pre-sessional English programme
Test provider |
Test name |
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT |
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI |
Cambridge |
IELTS Online |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards. |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced Note: Name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards. |
Duolingo |
Duolingo English - please note that for 2023/4 programmes we accept 'Integrated' sub scores but for 2024/5 programmes onward we only accept 'Individual' sub scores. |
ETS |
TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) |
ETS |
TOEFL at homeiBT |
LanguageCert |
LanguageCert Academic SELT |
LanguageCert |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) |
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) |
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) UKVI |
Trinity |
Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III |
Tests acceptable for entry onto The International Foundation Programme
Test provider |
Test name |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Business English Higher (BEC Higher)/C1 Business Higher- For Business, Economics and Related programmes only. Note: Name change to C1 Business Higher from 2018 onwards. |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English:Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced Note: name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards. |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards. |
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT |
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) non-UKVI |
Cambridge |
IELTS Online |
ETS |
TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) |
ETS |
TOEFL at homeiBT |
LanguageCert | LanguageCert Academic SELT (test needs to have been taken at a UKVI approved centre) |
LanguageCert |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B1 level or above) |
Trinity |
Integrated Skills in English (ISE) I, II, III |
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) |
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) UKVI |
ONCAMPUS |
ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE) |
Various |
GCE English O level (from Cambridge Examinations) |
Various |
GCSE English |
Tests acceptable for entry onto an Undergraduate/ Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research programme
Test provider |
Test name |
BGCS |
Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education |
Brit Language Centre Thailand | Heriot Watt University PSE Course |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Business English Higher (BEC Higher)/C1 Business Higher - For Business, Economics and Related programmes only. Note: Name change to C1 Business Higher from 2018 onwards. |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)/C1 Advanced Note: Name change to C1 Advanced from 2018 onwards. |
Cambridge |
Cambridge English:Proficiency (CPE)/C2 Proficiency Note: Name change to C2 Proficiency from 2018 onwards. |
Cambridge |
GCE O Level English Language 1119 Malaysia (Awarded up to 2020) |
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) |
Cambridge |
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI SELT |
Cambridge |
IELTS Online |
CBSE/ ICSE/ State boards |
Indian Standard XII English (English Core/ English Elective/ Functional English) |
CSE |
National Examinations Council of Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (or Secondary Leaving Certificate) |
Duolingo |
Duolingo English please note that for 2024/5 programmes we accept 'Integrated' sub scores but for 2025/6 programmes onward we only accept 'Individual' sub scores. |
ETS |
TOEFL: Internet (our DI code is 0769) |
ETS |
TOEFL at home iBT |
French Ministry for National Education |
Baccalauréat |
Germany |
Abitur |
Hong Kong diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) |
A score of 4 or 5* in English depending on programme applied for |
International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) |
International Baccalaureate Diploma |
KCSE |
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education |
LanguageCert | LanguageCert Academic (SELT and Online versions) |
LanguageCert |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (B2 level or above) (SELT and Online versions) |
Malawi SCE | Malawi School Certificate of Education |
Malaysian SPM1119 awarded 2021 onward | English (Bahasa Inggeris) |
Mauritius (awarded by Cambridge) |
Mauritian School Certificate in English (awarded by Cambridge) |
NECO (verified) |
Senior School Certificate (only verified NECO results can be accepted) |
National Examinations Council of Tanzania |
Certificate of Secondary Education/ Secondary School Leaving Certificate |
ONCAMPUS |
ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE) |
Oxford International Education Group | Oxford ELLT |
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) |
Pearson |
PTE (Academic) UKVI |
South Africa |
National Senior Certificate/ Senior Certificate |
Swaziland GCSE |
Swaziland General Certificate of Secondary Education |
Trinity |
Integrated Skills in English (ISE)II, III, IV |
UCE |
Uganda Certificate of Education |
University of Reading |
Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP) |
Various |
GCE English O level (from Cambridge Examinations) |
Various |
GCSE English |
Various |
IGCSE English as a first language. |
Various |
IGCSE English as a Second language(grade B minimum). |
WAEC (verified) |
Year 12 certificate in English (only verified WAECs are accepted) |
Zambia |
School Certificate/ General Certificate of Education |
Zimbabwe |
GCE O level |
My offer asks for an overall score of 7.5 in IELTS
My offer asks for an overall score of 7.0 with no element less than 6.5 in IELTS
My offer asks for an overall score of 7.0 with no element less than 6.0 in IELTS
My offer asks for an overall score of 6.5 with no element less than 6.0 in IELTS
My offer asks for an overall score of 6.5 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS
My offer asks for an overall score of 5.5 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS
My offer asks for an overall score of 6.0 with no element less than 5.5 in IELTS
My offer asks for an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS