International
English language requirements
As an international student, you need to demonstrate an adequate standard of English as part of your application. This is so you can successfully engage with and complete your chosen course, and also for visa and immigration reasons where applicable.
UKVI exemptions
Nationals of majority-English-speaking countries as defined by UKVI are typically exempt from this requirement, the countries specified by the UKVI include:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- The British Overseas Territories
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you're a national of Canada.
For those not from one of the countries specified as Majority English-speaking by UKVI, the university currently accepts the following qualifications with the noted grades as proof of meeting English language requirements.
Accepted English language tests
The below table shows all English language tests accepted for most Leeds Trinity University courses.
For specific English requirements for BSc Nursing, FDa Nursing, BSc Biomedical Science, MA Social Work, MA Creative Writing and MA TESOL, please view the second table on this page.
| English Language Test | Minimum score required | Validity period |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall and no component score below 5.5 | Two years |
| Pearson PTE Academic | Total score of 59-75 with no component score below 59 | Two years |
| iGCSE English as a Second Language | Overall Grade C and Grade 2 in Speaking | 15 years |
| iGCSE English - First Language | Overall Grade C and Grade 2 in Speaking and Listening | 15 years |
| GCSE or A level English language when awarded by an Ofqual (or SQA,Qualifications Wales or CCEA) regulated awarding body and which must have been undertaken in a UK Based school and teaching begun while under the age of 18 | Overall Grade C or 4 | 15 years |
| TOEFL IBT | Exams taken before 21 January 2026 Total = Minimum 79 Minimum: Reading – 18 Listening – 17 Speaking – 20 Writing – 17 Exams taken after 21 January 2026 Minimum overall grade 4 with minimum 4 in each component. |
Two years |
| LanguageCert Academic SELT (in person) | Reading – 60 Listening – 60 Speaking – 60 Writing – 60 |
Two years |
| LanguageCert General SELT (in person) | Reading – 60 Listening – 60 Speaking – 60 Writing – 60 |
Two years |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (in person) | Minimum: Reading – 33 Listening – 33 Speaking – 33 Writing – 33 |
Two years |
| Skills for English UKVI B2 or C1 (4 component) through PSI Service (UK) Ltd | Listening – Pass Reading – Pass Speaking – Pass Writing – Pass |
Two years |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) | Minimum overall score of 169, with no component score below 162 | Two years |
| International Baccalaureate | Grade 5 in Higher level or Standard level English B (most subject areas will accept English A Language and Literature or English A Literature, there are exceptions for certain regulated programmes, contact admissions to discuss) | 15 years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | Overall score of 90, with no component below 80 All components must have been studied on the same day as each other | Two years |
| Oxford Test of English | Minimum overall score of 126 with no component below 111 | Two years |
| Duolingo Test of English (DET) | Overall score of 105 with no component below 100 | Two years |
| WAEC (awarded up to and including 1998) WASSCE (awarded from 1999 onwards) |
Grades A1 – C6 in English where given GCSE equivalence by ECCTIS | 15 years |
| NECO Senior School Certificate | Overall grade of C6 | 15 years |
| English from Class XII (India) Senior School Certificate Examination Indian School Certificate Only when awarded by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) |
65% in English | 15 years |
| English from Class XII (India) Senior School Certificate Examination Indian School Certificate When awarded by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or one of the following State Boards: – Maharashtra – Telangana – Andhra Pradesh – Kerala – Delhi – Tamil Nadu – Karnakata |
65% in English | 15 years |
| Bachelor degree or Postgraduate qualifications achieved either at a university in the UK or at a university in a majority English speaking country as per UKVI list. | Indefinite | |
| Bachelor degree or Postgraduate qualifications achieved through TNE delivery from a UK Recognised institution which are taught in English Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is required in this instance |
15 years from date of completion | |
| Bachelor degree or Postgraduate qualifications taught in English at one of the following universities in Nepal: – Far Western University – Kathmandu University – Lumbini Buddhist University – Mid-West University – Pokhara University – Purbanchal University – Tribhuvan University A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is required in this instance. Note that this must be from a campus of the university which must be evidenced on the university website. |
15 years from date of completion | |
| Bachelor degree or Postgraduate qualifications taught in English at an affiliated college of one of the following universities in Nepal: – Far Western University – Kathmandu University – Lumbini Buddhist University – Mid-West University – Pokhara University – Purbanchal University – Tribhuvan University A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter and class XII English in Nepal are required in this instance. Note that this must be from an affiliated college which must be evidenced on the university website. |
65% in English | 15 years |
| Bachelor degree or Postgraduate qualifications achieved at an Ecctis recognised degree awarding institution in either Nigeria or Ghana. | 15 years from date of completion | |
Accepted English Qualifications for specific programmes
Below are the English language tests accepted for BSc Nursing, FDa Nursing, BSc Biomedical Science, MA Social Work, MA Creative Writing and MA TESOL
| English Language Test | Minimum Score BSc Nursing or FDa Nursing Associate programmes | Minimum Score BSc Biomedical Science, MA Social Work and MA Creative Writing | Minimum Score MA TESOL | Validity period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and 6.5 in writing | 7.0 overall with no component score below 6.5 | 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, listening and speaking and 6.5 in writing | Two years |
| TOEFL IBT | N/A | N/A | Exams taken before 21 January 2026 Total = Minimum: 87 Minimum: Reading – 21 Listening – 21 Speaking – 21 Writing – 23 Exams taken after 21 January 2026 Minimum overall grade 4.5 with minimum 4.5 in each component. |
Two years |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) | N/A | N/A | Minimum score=176 Minimum: Reading – 169 Listening – 169 Speaking – 169 Writing – 176 |
Two years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | N/A | N/A | Overall score of 105, with no component below 96. All components must have been studied on the same day as each other. |
Two years |