English language requirements
All students must provide evidence of a recognised qualification in English Language, such as IELTS, PTE Academic or Cambridge English.
If you have taken a school qualification in English we may be able to accept this. Please email admissions@keele.ac.uk for advice.
If you do not meet the required English Language level for undergraduate study, you have the opportunity to attend a summer Pre-sessional course offered by our Keele Language Centre.
Pre-Sessional English Language Programmes for Entry to Keele University
If you have taken an IELTS English language qualification but did not achieve the grade you needed, you may be able to study on a pre-sessional course before you start your degree studies. Full details on the Pre-sessional Courses available at Keele can be found here.
If you require a longer pre-sessional English course, Keele has a link with the following college: English in Chester.
In order to obtain a Tier 4 Visa to study a Pre-Sessional English programme you must have a SELT (Secured English Language test) as defined by the UKVI (UK Home office). When selecting and booking an IELTS test you must ensure that you select an IELTS SELT, which are only offered at a limited number of test centres. For a detailed list of UKVI SELT approved test centres please click here.
If you require a Visa to study at Keele it will be sponsored by the University and issued by the UK Home Office (UKVI) on the basis of you achieving the required language competencies by the end of the pre-sessional course, this will be withdrawn if you fail to make satisfactory progress and do not achieve the required language competency.
Preparation programmes
Alternatively, if you do not meet the required English Language level for undergraduate study, you have the opportunity to complete an International Foundation Year or an International Year One at the Keele University International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to a Bachelor's degree at Keele University.
Undergraduate English Language Requirements
| Course | IELTS | PTE Academic | Cambridge English First(foundations) and Advanced |
| International Foundation Year | 5.0 (subtests 5.0) | ||
| International Degree Programme | 5.5 (subtests 5.5) | 42 (components 42) | 162 (subtests 162) |
|
International Year One |
4 term: 5.0 (subsets 5.0) 3.5 or 3 term: 5.5 |
||
|
Undergraduate Year 1 (except for the courses listed below) |
6.0 (subtests 5.5) | 50 (components 42) | 169 (subtests 162) |
|
Undergraduate Law, Film Studies (SH) and Film Studies with Creative Writing Year 1 |
6.5 (subtests 5.5) | 58 (components 42) | 176 (subtests 162) |
|
Undergraduate Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences |
6.5 (subtests 6.0) | 58 (components 50) | |
|
Undergraduate Pharmacy Year 1 |
7.0 (subtests 6.5) | 65 (components 58) | 185 (subtests 176) |
|
Undergraduate Physiotherapy Year 1 |
7.0 (subtests 6.5) | 65 (components 58) | 185 (subtests 176) |
|
Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Year 1 |
7.0 (subtests 7.0) | 65 (components 65) | 185 (subtests 176) |
|
Undergraduate Year 2 entry (except for Law courses) |
6.0 (Reading and Writing 6.0, Listening and Speaking 5.5)* | 50 (Reading and Writing 50, Listening and Speaking 42) | 169 (Reading and Writing 169, Listening and Speaking 162) |
|
Undergraduate Year 2 entry (Law courses) |
6.5 (Reading and Writing 6.0, Listening and Speaking 5.5) | 58 (Reading and Writing 50, Listening and Speaking 42) | 176 (Reading and Writing 176, Listening and Speaking 169) |
*students may be allowed to enter year 2 with a lower component score at the discretion of the University
Postgraduate English Language Requirements
If you are interested in applying for a Postgraduate course, information regarding English Language requirements can be found under 'Entry Requirements' on the information page of your chosen course. You can view Keele's postgraduate course list here.
If you have studied your first degree from one of the following countries, we may be able to accept this in lieu of an English language qualification -
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK
- USA
Your first degree must have been completed within the last 2 years. If you have taken an English language qualification since completing your first degree, your most recent qualification will be taken into consideration.
If you are applying for a Postgraduate Research course, please click here to view the English Language requirements for this level of study.
English Language Support
When you start your studies at Keele we will assess your English language standard so that we can recommend language modules for you to take in Year 1 as part of your degree course. You do not pay any additional fees for these. You can also speak to staff in the Language Centre.