We welcome applications from all over the world. On this page, you'll find out more about the entry requirements for the University of Cumbria, including country-specific academic qualifications and English language requirements.
If you have any questions about the entry requirements listed below, please don't hesitate to contact our international team at international@cumbria.ac.uk
You may be asked for a recognised English language qualification (SELT – Secure English Language Test).
The level of English you will be asked for depends on the degree you are applying for.
| Recognised Qualification | Grade / Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each component) |
| GCSE / IGCSE / O level English / IGCSE English as a first language | Grade C |
* For BSc Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Therapy and Social Work, the following scores are required within the IELTS qualification:
Please note that in order to be eligible for registration with the HCPC, all test certificates must have been achieved within two years of the date that they receive your application.
If you need a tier 4 visa, you must check the Home Office acceptable SELT listing to ensure acceptability.
In addition to the overall score, we will require minimum scores for each part of the IELTS Academic test.
The University may make changes to the above requirements at any time.
| Course | IELTS Score |
|---|---|
| Masters, PgC or PgD | 6.5 (with at least 5.5 in each component)* |
| MSc Occupational Therapy, MSc Physiotherapy and MA Social Work | 7.0 (with no less than 6.5 in any one section) |
| PhD | 6.0 in the 4 areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing with an overall score of 6.5 |
Please note that in order to be eligible for registration with the HCPC, all test certificates must be dated within two years of the date that they receive your application.
If you need a tier 4 visa, you must check the Home Office acceptable SELT listing to ensure acceptability.
The University also accepts the English language component examination from some school-leaving group qualifications. Please see the international qualification equivalences for a full list of accepted group qualifications.
We offer pre-sessional and in-sessional English language courses.
The programmes are designed to help you to improve your English language ability and increase your current English test score level to at least the minimum entry requirement of your degree programme.
The programme content includes:
The international admissions team will automatically consider you for a pre-sessional programme as part of the decision on your course application. You will be sent full information and application details with your course offer.
To assist you we have prepared some specific information for individual countries that will help you check whether you meet the university entry requirements. These are minimum requirements; some programmes may require higher grades and some programmes may have specific subject requirements that need to be met.
If you do not see your country listed here or want further clarification on entry requirements, please contact our International Admissions team who will be pleased to help you.
Undegraduate
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education - TER/UAI: Pass School Certificate and achieve high Tertiary Entrance Rank or Universities Admissions Index score. Please ask Admissions for in-year cut off scores.
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Maturazeugnis
Pass Matura or Reifeprüfung with average mark between 1,0 (sehr gut) and 3,0 (befriedigend) depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Grade 12 (scale 1-20) or 60% with ‘mention’ in the Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire, Diploma Secundair Onderwijs or in the Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass the Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with an overall average of 4+, depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
High School Diploma: Pass with specific number of Grade 12 courses at the appropriate level (typically 'U') and percentage score. For individual provincial requirements please contact the Admissions Office.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass a UK foundation or year 1 of a degree or diploma or equivalent in China. Chinese University/College Entrance examination (A-Level equivalent) over 60% High School year 12 with marks over 80 will be considered.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass the Svjedodžba o Maturi (Matura Certificate) with overall average of 3+ depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Apolyterion: 14+/70% Apolyterion and 1 A level: 13+/ 65%+ in Apolyterion AND grade C in A level in relevant area (NOT modern Greek)
Apolyterion and 2 A levels: 12+/ 60% in Apolyterion AND 2 Cs in A levels in relevant areas (NOT modern Greek)
North Cyprus: Devlet Lise Diplomasi/ Bitirme Lise Diplomasi with 4 or above
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass the Gumnaasiumi Loputunnistus with overall average of 3.0+ depending on degree scheme. PLUS at least 2 state Riigieksamitunnistus (National Examinations) passed with minimum 50% in each.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Average grade of C/3 or above in Ylioppilastutkinoto/ Studentenexamen (Matriculation Examination Certificate) Or, an average grade of 7 or more in Lukion päätötodistus (High School Leaving Certificate).
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Baccalauréat or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat with an overall score of 11 out of 20 or more Brevet de Technicien (BT) with an overall grade of ‘11’ or above Brevet Professionnel (BP) with an overall grade of ‘11’ or above Diplome d’Etat de Technicien with an overall
grade of ‘12’ or above
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Students with an aggregate mark of 3.0 (befriedigend) out of 5 in one of the following exams: Abitur Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife Zeugnis der Fachgebundenen Hochschulreife Zeugnis der Fachhochschulreife.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Apolyterion with a minimum overall mark of 13.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Hong Kong A-levels and new Diploma qualification: Please contact Admissions Office for updated information about A-level and Diploma requirements.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Evretsegi: Pass with minimum grade of 3 or 4 in all H Level subjects.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Standard X & XII) 60% plus in 10th AND in 12th grade or 50% plus in 10th AND 65% plus in 12th.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass the Diploma de Esame di Stato with an overall mark of at least 60% (out of 100).
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību (Certificate of Secondary Education) with an average grade 5 (out of 10) in at least 12 subjects in the final year assessment, PLUS grade C or higher in at least two valsts centralizētajos eksāmenos (national centralised examinations)
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass the Brandos Atestatas with an overall grade of 6 (out of 10) or above in the final assessment PLUS: at least 2 Valstybinis (state level
examinations) with 50% in each.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Diplome de fin d'etudes secondaires: Pass with overall grade ranging from 30/60 to 47/60, depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
High School Certificate STPM with three Principal passes Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) Senior Middle Level Grades A1 - C7 including English A1-B6 (usually with SPM or UEC Junior Middle Level above). Matrikulasi (Matriculation Certificate) with CGPA of 2.0 meets general requirements.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs eindexamen (VWO) overall with 6+ depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Ordinary National Diploma (OND) with at least a lower credit Students who have completed year 1 (Level 100) of a Nigerian University can be considered for year 1 entry to a Bachelors degree. West African Senior School Certificate Examination: WASSCE is not accepted. Applicants must complete an additional qualification, such as our International Foundation Programme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Vitnemal: Pass with overall grade of 3-4, depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Higher Secondary School Certificate: HSSC is not accepted. Applicants must complete an additional qualification, such as our International Foundation Programme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Świadectwo dojrzałości (Maturity Certificate/ Certificate of Completion of Secondary Education) with pass grades in the final classification PLUS Egzamin Maturalny/ Dojrzałości (maturity examination) with an average score of 60% or above in Basic level subjects AND at least two subjects at Extended/Advanced level with A minimum 40% if Sciences/Maths subjects A minimum of 50% if Humanities/Social Sciences subject.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Diploma de Ensino Secundario: Pass with overall grade ranging from 14 to 17, depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass the Diplomă de Bacalaureat with a grade 6 or higher depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Average grade 3.5 or above in Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Singapore/Cambridge A-levels: Pass at least three H2 A-levels with grades A or B, depending on degree scheme. Applicants must complete an additional qualification, such as our International Foundation Programme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Maturita or Vysvedcenie o Maturitnej Skuske with an aggregate score of either vyborny (1)= excellent, velmi dobry (2) = very good or dobry (3) good.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
An overall average of 7+ in one of the following: Título de Bachillerato, Curso de Orientación Universitaria (COU), Selectividad (also known as PAU: Preueba de aceceso a la universidad) Técnico Especialista (Formación Profesional - segundo grado) Técnico Superior (new system).
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Pass Fullståndigt Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan with average grades of 15+, depending on degree scheme.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Grade 4 or Genügend/Suffisant in Maturitatszeugnis, Certificat de Maturité, Baccalauréat or Attestato Di Maturità
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
Lise Bitirme Diplomasi: Accepted from selected schools only. Pass with overall average grade ranging from 80% to 85% depending on degree scheme. Please contact Admissions Office for schools listing.
English Language: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (or equivalent).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).
Undergraduate
High School Diploma: The High School Diploma is not accepted on its own; applicants must hold additional qualifications such as two Advanced Placements (AP) with grades of 3.0 or higher. SATS/ACTs are accepted as supplementary evidence only.
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
