The minimum score requirements may differ depending on the university, course, or program level. For admission in graduate level courses, the universities in UK generally asks for test scores like GMAT, GRE or MAT exams. Additionally, test scores like UKCAT, LNAT etc are required for undergraduate admissions.
Submission of subject-specific exams is quite beneficial for international students. It will not only strengthen their profile but will also increase their chances of admission in UK. Read further to understand more about exams to study in UK including courses they are applicable with and minimum scores required in top UK universities.
English Proficiency Exams to Study in UK
To get into most UK universities, a minimum B2 level English language proficiency is required. International students may choose to appear in tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or ISE exams with a minimum validity of 2 years. The below table shows the minimum ELP scores required in top universities based on program level:
| Institution | IELTS Requirement (Bachelors) | IELTS Requirement (Masters) | PTE Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 7.0 | 7.0 | N/A |
| University of Cambridge | 7.0 | 7.0 | N/A |
| Imperial College London | 6.0 | 6.0 | 62-69 |
| University College London | 5.5 | 5.5 | 62/75 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 7.0 | 7.0 | 69 |
| University of Edinburgh | 6.5 | 6.5 | N/A |
| King's College London | 6.0 | 6.0 | N/A |
| University of Manchester | 5.5 | 5.5 | 43-74 |
| University of Glasgow | 6.5 | 6.5 | 68 |
| University of Warwick | 5.5 | 5.5 | 62 |
| Durham University | 6.5 | 6.5 | 62 |
| University of Bristol | 6.0 | 6.0 | 60-64 |
Now we have discussed the minimum scores required in each university, let’s learn more about the exams accepted in UK.
IELTS
The IELTS test is preferred by many universities and colleges in UK as part of ELP as well as UK immigration and Visa requirements. It costs around 15,500 - 15,750 INR for Indian students. For a UK student visa, a minimum score between 4.0 - 5.5 is required.
However, the minimum IELTS score requirements can be higher than visa requirements in each university. In top universities like University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, the minimum IELTS score is recorded to be around 7.0 - 7.5 with an average score of 6.0.
TOEFL
The TOEFL generally acts as an alternative to IELTS scores in the UK. IELTS may be highly preferred in the UK but students who failed to appear in the test may consider taking the TOEFL exam. Submission of TOEFL allows international students to obtain Tier 4 visa. The cost of TOEFL in UK is 167 GBP(15,611 INR)
Below are the TOEFL iBT requirements set by UK Home Office for Visa and immigration process:
- Overall Score: 72
- Reading: 18
- Listening: 17
- Writing: 17
- Speaking: 20
The minimum TOEFL score required in top universities is between 100-110. In lesser-ranked universities, the minimum required score can be lower than 70.
PTE Academic
Pearson Test of English is accepted in nearly 98% of UK universities. The minimum PTE score required for a UK visa is 43 - 59. Though, a higher score may be required in various institutions. A non-refundable registration fee of 12,400 INR is required for appearing in the PTE exam.
Cambridge English Language Assessments
Cambridge English Language Assessment is one of the few tests that generally don’t have an expiry date. However, some institutions in UK may consider these scores invalid after two years
Unlike other ELP exams, Cambridge English follows a grading system with a minimum cut-off range as A, B, or C. To appear in this test, the students are required to pay the registration cost of 6,000 - 7,000 INR at least 24 hours from the exam date.
Below are the different levels of Cambridge English that can be taken for obtaining Tier 4 visas:
- B2 First (FCE)
- C1 Advanced (CAE)
- C2 Proficiency (CPE)
Most universities in the UK accept Cambridge test scores, but for institutions the requirement will be either CAE or CPE, depending on your course.
ISE
Trinity College London offers an Integrated Skills in English test that can be accepted to obtain a student visa if B2 or higher level is achieved. Depending on the university, the candidate may be asked to clear ISE II, ISE III, or ISE IV.
Admission Tests to Study in UK
As discussed earlier, there are certain exams that are required for admission in particular courses. Some popular courses to study in UK include business, law, medicine and mathematics. Below are some popular exams to study in UK.
GRE
GRE is widely accepted in UK universities but is generally not required, though it is recommended to make the candidate's profile stand out.
The GRE scores are mostly submitted by students applying for MBA or JD programs in the UK. It can also be taken if an applicant is applying for courses like science, mathematics or literature.
A minimum score of 150 is considered descent in both verbal and quantitative sections. The cost of attending the GRE exam is around 15,800 INR.
| University | GRE Score Required |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | Verbal: 160 | Quantitative: 160 | Analytical Writing: 4.0 |
| University of Manchester | Verbal: 170 | Quantitative: 165 | Analytical Writing: 3.5 |
| Durham University | Verbal: 150 | Quantitative: 161 | Analytical Writing: 0 - 6 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | Verbal: 170 | Quantitative: 130 - 170 |
| Lancaster University | Verbal: 130 - 170 | Quantitative: 130 - 170 | Analytical Writing: 0 - 6 |
| University of Sunderland | Verbal: 160 | Quantitative: 145 |
GMAT
Applicants applying for business schools in the UK may consider taking the GMAT test. At present, nearly 200 universities in the UK accept GMAT scores. Indian students planning to take the GMAT test may require an approximate cost of 18,500 INR.
| University/Business Schools | GMAT Score Required |
|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | 690 |
| University of Oxford | 690 |
| Imperial College London | 600 |
| University of Edinburgh | 600 |
| London Business School | 708 |
| University of Warwick | 660 |
| University of Manchester | 600 |
| University of Leeds | 600 |
| University of London | 630 |
MAT
The Mathematics test or MAT is a general admission test required for undergraduate or graduate courses in mathematics. The test is jointly administered by the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. The test is mostly preferred by Imperial College of London and University of Warwick for undergraduate mathematics courses.
STEP
STEP is yet another admission test that can be taken for mathematics courses. The exam has two papers named STEP 2 and STEP 3. The prospective students may either appear in any one of the papers or in both. This test is accepted at the prestigious University of Oxford and University of Warwick. The cost of the STEP mathematics exam is 93 GBP(~8,679 INR).
Test of Mathematics for University Admissions in UK
The test is conducted by the University of Cambridge and is meant for students applying to undergraduate courses in mathematics. Some of the prominent institutions that require the mathematics score are:
- Durham University
- University of Warwick
- University of Bath
- University of Cambridge
- University of Nottingham
- University of Sheffield
- Lancaster University
- Cardiff University
- University of Southampton
- London School of Economics and Political Science.
LNAT
Law National Aptitude Test or LNAT is an admission test that costs around 11,200 INR, meant for undergraduate programs in law that is required to be taken by applicants to get into:
- University of Bristol
- Durham University
- University of Glasgow
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- SOAS, University of London
- University College London
It is only an aptitude test that checks general skills and candidates need not have prior knowledge of law.
CLT
The Cambridge Law Test or CLT is to be taken if you are called for an interview at a college under the University of Cambridge for a program in law, and you will not be required to register or pay any fees for the test.
BMAT
BioMedical Admissions Test or BMAT is an admissions test for programs in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Dentistry. The UK universities that ask for BMAT are:
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School
- Imperial College London
- Lancaster University
- University College London
- University of Cambridge
- University of Manchester Medical School
- University of Leeds
- University of Oxford
- Keele University.
Candidates can, upon the announcement of results, choose which colleges to send them to. On a scale of 1 to 9, 5.0 - 6.0 is considered a good score by most schools. The test costs around INR 8,853, but there is an option of reimbursement for students who have difficulty affording it. The validity of the test score expires after the completion of the year in which the test is taken.
GAMSAT
Initially used in Australia, GAMSAT has been used as an admissions test to UK medical schools since 2000, for students applying to courses in medicine. Graduate Medical School Admissions Test or in short GAMSAT scores are accepted by the following institutes in UK:
- St George’s Medical School, University of London
- University of Nottingham
- University of Liverpool
- Swansea University
- Cardiff University
- University of Plymouth
- University of Exeter
- University of St Andrews (ScotGEM)
- University of East Anglia
- Ulster University
On an average, 61 - 66 is a good GAMSAT score, though some schools may have higher cutoffs. The test will cost you INR 26,675.
HPAT Ulster
Health Professions Admission Test or HPAT is an admissions test for students applying to Allied Health Professional programs at Ulster University, that is, for the following courses:
- BSc Hons Dietetics
- BSc Hons Occupational Therapy
- BSc Hons Physiotherapy
- BSc Hons Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging
- BSc Hons Radiotherapy and Oncology
- BSc Hons Speech & Language Therapy
Students must apply through UCAS as well, and may only receive the offer from a university where they qualify the set score requirements. It will cost INR 13,138 to sit for the exam.
UKCAT
UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or UCAT is another entrance test in the UK for students applying to medical and dental degree programs. The exam costs INR 11,446. After your results are announced, the universities in the UCAT Consortium, which you have applied to through UCAS, will be notified.
It is definitely not easy to get admission to UK universities and programs of your liking, especially with the eligibility requirements set by the Home Office and the different institutions. Universities in the UK try to make the admission process as easy as possible for foreign students but oftentimes it may get confusing. Therefore, prospective students are advised to decide exactly which tests they should write by consulting the preferred university’s official page.
FAQS
Ques. What exams are required to study in the UK for international students?
Ans. There are a range of exams accepted in UK universities with each of them having different purposes. The exams such IELTS, TOEFL etc are required as a part of ELP requirements exams like GMAT, MCAT, GRE, LNAT etc are required for admission to specific programs.
Ques.Is GRE accepted for MBA in UK?
Ans.Like top study abroad destinations such USA and Canada, the UK also admits students in MBA programs based on the GRE scores. However, some universities may still require GMAT scores if the candidate has attempted.
Ques.Which English language test is required in UK?
Ans.Majority of the UK universities accept IELTS scores from international students to prove their English language proficiency. Other English tests like TOEFL, PTE and ISE are also accepted.
Ques.Does UK universities require SAT scores?
Ans.SAT scores are generally not required in UK universities. Though, it does help students to demonstrate their skills and interest for a particular undergraduate major. Hence, candidates are advised to submit SAT results only if they have earned high scores.
Ques.Is PTE accepted in UK universities?
Ans.Around 98% - 99% universities in the UK accept PTE scores as a part of ELP requirements and immigration process. Though, the candidates are still advised to check the University's official website including program page before applying.
Comments
1 Comment
Yes, SAT is accepted by several universities in the UK. The admission requirement differ from one program to another and from one university to another. You must take the required tests for the program you are applying for to secure your admission.