The College has established minimum English language requirements for all international students. But if you need to obtain a Tier 4 (General) student visa prior to enrolment, the UKVI has placed restrictions on the type of test you can take, and it has approved a very limited range of test providers.
This page lists our generic English language requirements for EU students, and the English language requirements for students applying for a Tier 4 (General) student visa and a Tier 4 (Child) student visa. There is also a list of country nationals who do not need to take an English language test for visa purposes.
Academic entry requirements for a range of countries are outlined in the Your Country pages of this website.
English language requirements for EU students
EU students with a GCSE grade C in English will normally have the required English language skills for entry onto courses at Sparsholt College; otherwise, the following general requirements may apply.Â
Level 3 Diploma
IELTS (Academic) 5.5 overall, with a minimum 5.0 in any band; Pearson (PTE) 51; Cambridge English Scale Score 162-168 (FCE grade C; CAE level B2).
FdSc foundation degree
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, with a minimum 5.5 in any band; Pearson (PTE) 56; Cambridge English Scale Score 169-175 (FCE grade B; CAE level B2).
We also accept the following qualifications from EU students: GCSE English Language grade C; IGCSE English (as a first or second language) at grade C; AS or A level English Language or English Literature; International Baccalaureate (English A or B syllabus or English Literature Standard or Higher level) grade 4.
BSc(Hons) undergraduate degree
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, with a minimum 5.5 in any band; Pearson (PTE) 56; Cambridge English Scale Score 169-175 (FCE grade B; CAE level B2).
We also accept the following qualifications from EU students: GCSE English Language grade C; IGCSE English (as a first or second language) at grade C; AS or A level English Language or English Literature; International Baccalaureate (English A or B syllabus or English Literature Standard or Higher level) grade 4.
MSc postgraduate degree
IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall, with a minimum 6.0 in any band; Pearson (PTE) 61; Cambridge English Scale Score 176-185 (FCE grade A; CAE level B2).
We also accept the following qualifications from EU students: GCSE English Language grade C; IGCSE English (as a first or second language) at grade C; AS or A level English Language or English Literature; International Baccalaureate (English A or B syllabus or English Literature Standard or Higher level) grade 4.
English language requirements for Tier 4 (General) student visa and Tier 4 (Child) student visa applications
Please note that unless you are from one of the Exception countries listed on the UKVI website and below, only a Secure English Language Test (SELT) is valid for a Tier 4 (General) student visa for study at Sparsholt College. The location of your nearest SELT provider is listed here.
Level 3 Diploma
IELTS (Academic) 5.5 overall, with a minimum 5.0 in any band; please see here for the list of approved English language tests.
FdSc foundation degree
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, with a minimum 5.5 in any band; please see here for the list of approved English language tests.
BSc(Hons) undergraduate degree
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, with a minimum 5.5 in any band; please see here for the list of approved English language tests.
MSc postgraduate degree
IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall, with a minimum 6.0 in any band; please see here for the list of approved English language tests.
Do I need to take an English language test?
You will not need to take an approved English language test if you are a national of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, and a range of other countries whose first language is English. But you will need to satisfy that you have achieved the College’s minimum English language requirements.