To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for.
Download our English Language Requirements PDF
We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.
Graduated from a UK university?
If you studied for a minimum period of one year in the UK and achieved at least a 2:2 within the last two years then we will consider you to have met Aston’s English language requirements for Postgraduate study.
National of a majority English Speaking Country
If you have one of the following nationalities then you will be exempt from the English Language requirements:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago United States of America.
Academic qualification equivalent to a UK Degree - Taught in majority English Speaking Country
If you have a qualification from overseas and it is deemed to be equivalent to a UK degree. The degree must have been taught in one of the following majority English speaking countries:
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, United States of America.
Students will also have to provide provide official documentation produced by UK NARIC which confirms the evaluation that the overseas academic qualification is equivalent to a UK degree (does not include professional or vocational qualifications).
Exemptions for Undergraduate applicants
If you have studied or are studying recognised qualifications in English, such as GCSE English or IB, an IELTS qualification is not required provided you meet our minimum requirements.
Unfortunately this does not apply to any courses below degree level.
These don't apply to me
If you don't meet the above criteria you will need to meet our English language requirements as listed below.
For applicants whose English falls short of our minimum entry requirements we provide a range of Pre-sessional English Language programmes which aim to enable our applicants to reach our requisite levels of English and help them to become more confident about studying in English in the UK.
See pre-sessional dates and costs here
Which English Language test should I take?
IELTS
If you have been asked to provide evidence of an IELTS Academic test (not the IELTS General test) at a certain level, there are now two to choose from.
- A standard IELTS Academic test
- IELTS Academic test from a UKVI approved test centre.
The following applies to those who need a Tier 4 visa and have been made an offer based on an IELTS score:
- If you have a direct entry unconditional offer for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme, you can take any IELTS Academic test, whether from a UKVI approved centre or not.
- If you require a CAS for a single Pre-sessional course, or have been made an unconditional offer for a Foundation year you must take your IELTS Academic test from a UKVI approved test centre.
- If you are not sure which to choose, we strongly recommend that you take the UKVI approved test.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Visa Compliance Team or alternatively please contact the International Office.
TOEFL
We will only accept TOEFL for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes, and will be able to issue your CAS to support your overseas Tier 4 Visa application (if you hold a suitable level). However we will not be able to accept TOEFL for programmes below degree level, including Foundation and pre-sessional programmes.
If you have been made an offer for direct entry on to an undergraduate or postgraduate programme, then we will still accept a range of qualifications as evidence of your English Language ability, and you are NOT required to provide evidence of these for a Tier 4 visa application.