To join us at Durham University International Study Centre, you need to meet the minimum academic and English language entrance requirements.Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are now able to accept a wider range of English tests for entry in 2022.
Joining us on campus
You can start your studies with a UKVI- approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), provided you have met all the programme entry requirements.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
Starting your studies virtually from home and coming to campus at a later date.
You can start your studies virtually with a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) as above or you can provide proof of your English language proficiency with an alternative test. This is possible because you do not need a Student Visa to start virtually from your home country.
You will need to obtain a SELT with the required minimum score in order to make a Student Visa application in order to come to campus.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme
Alternative tests accepted include:
You can start your studies in September 2021 with either a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), or an accepted alternative equivalent assessment, provided you meet all the programme entry requirements.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
This applies if you:
UKVI-approved SELTS include:
Alternative tests accepted include:
Study Group is permitted to assess students’ suitability for entry onto programmes which are degree level and above under the registration for the UK Office for Students. You are therefore not required to have a UKVI SELT to obtain a Student Visa when you come to campus.
A CAS for a Student Visa will only be issued if you have met the minimum language requirement of CEFR B2 in all skills, and the academic entry requirements for your chosen programme.
*The IELTS Indicator test will not be accepted for on campus study for the Pre-Masters Programme.
To apply for the International Foundation Year, you need to meet the following entry requirements.
Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent, with relevant subjects
English language:
IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (5.5 in reading and writing, minimum of 5.0 in all other skills)*
Age: 17+
*We accept equivalent proof of English if you do not need a Student visa, or are exempt in another way.
IGCSE / GCSE / O-Level: 5 passes at A-C in relevant subjects (excluding native language). New grades 9 - 4 in English and Maths
IB Diploma Programme: 26 points (IB Certificate accepted, 26 points) (Subject pass level is 3)
A levels: 84 UCAS points (formerly 240) no E grades at A level counted towards UCAS points total, combinations of A and AS levels accepted
24 UCAS points from AS only (native language accepted) (formerly 80 UCAS points)
| Country | Qualification |
| Angola | Successful completion of Certificado de Habilitação Literária (grade 12) with overall GPA at least 14 |
| Azerbaijan | Successful completion of 11th grade - Grades 4 and 5 |
| Australia | Successful completion of year 11 with equivalent grades to the GCSE/IGCSE requirements. Minimum 60% achieved. |
| Bahrain | Successful completion of Tawjihiyaa (School Leaving Certificate) with 80% |
| Bangladesh | HSC with overall GPA 3.25 or 55%, with 55% or above in Maths and English |
| Belarus | Successful completion of Attestat (11th grade) - Min. 7.0 + |
| Botswana | Successful completion of Cambridge Overseas School Certificate - Grade 1-6 in 4+ subjects |
| Brazil | Successful completion of Certificado de Ensino Medio - 6.9-5.0 in 5 subjects |
| Brunei | Successful completion of Brunei-Cambridge Certificate of Education Ordinary Level - Grades 1-6 in 5 subjects |
| Cameroon | Successful completion of Baccalaureat or Certificat de Probation - grade 13+ |
| Canada | Successful completion of year 11 with equivalent grades to the GCSE/IGCSE requirements - minimum 60% achieved |
| China (mainland) | Successful completion of Senior High 2 (80% in at least 5 academic subjects) or Senior High 3 (75% in at least 4 academic subjects) |
| Egypt | Successful completion of Thanaweya - 75% |
| Ethiopia | Successful completion of Grade 12 HE Entrance Qual Cert - over 301 |
| Gambia | Successful completion of West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) - Grades 1-6 (A-C) |
| Hong Kong | Successful completion of Form 5 (2C & 2D) or HKDSE (332 in 3 relevant subjects, including 3 for Maths for Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance pathway or 3 Maths or Science for Science and Engineering pathway) |
| India | Successful completion of HSE/Standard 11 (70%, including 50% for Maths and Science) or HSE Year 12 (55%, including 50% for Maths and Science) |
| Indonesia | Successful completion of SMU 3 (Grade 6.5) or SMU2 (Grade 7.0) |
| Iran | Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) - 14/20 |
| Ireland | Successful completion of Irish Leaving Certificate - 300 points |
| Japan | Successful completion of Upper Sec Sch Cert. Kotogakko (12th Grade) - 70% or 3/5 |
| Jordan | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi) - 80% |
| Kazakhstan | Successful completion of Attestat (11th grade) - Grades 4 and 5 |
| Kenya | Successful completion of East African/O'seas Sch/Kenyan Cert (KCSE) - Grades 1-6 (A-C) in 4+ subjects |
| Korea | SH3: 5th Grade average in rank, with at least 5th grade in relevant subjects SH2: 4th Grade average in rank with at least 4th grade in relevant subjects |
| Kuwait | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate - 80% |
| Lebanon | Successful completion of Baccalaureat - Min 12 points |
| Macau | Successful completion of Form 5 / Senior Middle 2 - 70%, including C+ in relevant subjects |
| Malaysia | SPM school: Form 5, Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths |
| Mexico | Successful completion of Certificado de Bachillerato - 75+, including C+ in relevant sbujects |
| Morocco | Diplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 12 |
| New Zealand | Successful completion of NCEA Level 2 - 80 credits with no fewer than 60 from level 2 and no fewer than 12 level 2 credits in relevant subjects |
| Nigeria | Successful completion of West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) - Grades 1-6 (A-C) in 4+ subjects |
| Oman | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate - 80% from level 2 (majority merits/excellent) |
| Pakistan | Successful completion of High Secondary Certificate (HSC) - Grades 3-5 (60%) |
| Qatar | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Al-Thanawaya Al-Amah) - 80% |
| Russia | Successful completion of Attestat (11th grade) - Grades 4+ |
| Saudi Arabia | Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihayah) - 80% |
| Singapore | Secondary 4: Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths |
| South Africa | Successful completion of National Senior Certificate (Grades 3+ in 5 or more subjects) or High School Certificate Year 3 (5th grade average) |
| Sri Lanka | Successful completion of General Certificate of Education - 6 subjects grade B+ |
| Taiwan | Successful completion of Senior High School Leaving Certificate (60%) or Senior High Year 2 (75%) |
| Tanzania | Successful completion of East African School Certificate - Grades 1-6 (A-C) in 4 or more subjects |
| Thailand | Successful completion of Matayom 5 (GPA 2.5) or Matayom 6 (GPA 2.0) |
| Turkey | Successful completion of Devlet Lise Dipl (High School Completion) - GPA 3.0 (60%) |
| Ukraine | Successful completion of Attestat - 11 years at school - GPA 7.0+ |
| United Arab Emirates | Successful completion of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Tawjihayya) - 80% |
| United States of America | Successful completion of USA High School Diploma: Minimum GPA 2.75 (grade C+, 77%) with minimum 4 academic subjects |
| Vietnam | Secondary School Graduation - Year 12 - 7.0+, including 7.0 for Maths and Science |
If your qualification or country is not listed then please contact us for more information.
To apply for the Pre-Masters programme you need to meet the following entry requirements.
Academic
You need a good first degree or diploma in a relevant subject.
English language
Age: 20+
* We accept equivalent proof of English if you do not need a Student visa, or are exempt in another way.
^ Please note: the Pre-Masters in Law and Social Science programme is not available as a two-term option.
| Country | Qualification |
| Azerbaijan | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Bangladesh | Recognised first degree |
| Belarus | Bakalavr GPA 7.0 |
| Botswana | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| China (mainland) | Full time studies Bachelor's degree : 65%+ overall Full time studies Undergraduate Graduation Certificate/Full time studies Junior College Diploma (1 semester/term internship accepted only): 70% overall |
| Egypt | Recognised first degree GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale |
| Gambia | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Hong Kong | Recognised first degree, Higher Diploma (GPA 3+) or equivalent |
| India | Recognised three or four year undergraduate degree (Honors or Regular pass) |
| Indonesia | D3/D4 Diploma - A-4 excellent/ B-3 good |
| Iran | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Japan | 4 year Gakushi |
| Jordan | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Kazakhstan | Bakalavr 3.0 |
| Korea | Bachelor’s degree with grade average 70%+. Grade C or of 2.0 on the 4.5 scale or 2.0 on the 4.3 scale |
| Kuwait | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Macau | Recognised first degree or equivalent GPA 2.5 |
| Malaysia | Advanced Diploma 2.0 or recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Nigeria | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Oman | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Pakistan | Bachelors Degree (Hons) - 3 Year (50%) |
| Qatar | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Russia | Specialist Diploma (4/5 years) - 4.0 |
| Saudi Arabia | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Singapore | Advanced Diploma (A, B & C/2.0+) or recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Sri Lanka | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Taiwan | Recognised first degree 2.0+ |
| Thailand | Recognised first degree GPA 2.3+ or equivalent |
| Turkey | Undergraduate Degree (Lisans Diplomasi or Muhendis Diplomasi 2.1) |
| Ukraine | Recognised first degree GPA 7.0 or Ukrainian Diploma GPA 7.0 |
| United Arab Emirates | Recognised first degree or equivalent |
| Vietnam | Higher Diploma GPA 7.0 or recognised first degree GPA 6.5 |
If your qualification or country is not listed then please contact us for more information.
English Language Preparation
If you do not meet the English language entry requirements for the International Foundation Year, you can join our English Language Preparation course first. This course is for one term.
IELTS for UKVI 5.0 (5.0 in reading and writing, minimum of 4.5 in all other skills)
Age: 17+
English for Pre-Masters
If you do not meet the English language entry requirements for the Pre-Masters, you can join our English for Pre-Masters course first. This course is for one term. You can study English for Pre-Masters and the Pre-Masters Programme with one visa.
One term: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 (5.0 in all other skills)*
Age: 20+
Find out the grades required for progression to your chosen degree.
