Entry requirements
Our pre-sessional courses are suitable for international students with a range of language abilities. They will provide both conditional and unconditional students with the best possible preparation for their Bristol studies.
Applicants with an unconditional offer from the University of Bristol
If you have no language conditions and an offer for direct entry to your degree course, you could consider taking a 6-week pre-sessional course. This would offer you the best possible preparation for study at the University of Bristol.
Applicants with a conditional offer from the University of Bristol
If your undergraduate or postgraduate offer letter specifies an English language profile, you should refer to the relevant table below. This table will tell you which pre-sessional course you need to apply for. You will need to fully engage with the course to reach the required English language profile.
If you are applying for an on-campus course, your test must conform to UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT) standards. For further information about SELTs, please read the latest UKVI guidance.
If you have taken an IELTS Academic or IELTS for UKVI Academic test, results including the One Skill Retake (OSR) are acceptable. We will take all scores from one Test Report Form (TRF).
- Table for profile A requirements
- Table for profile B requirements
- Table for profile C requirements
- Table for profile D requirements
- Table for profile E requirements
- Table for profile F requirements
- Table for profile G requirements
- Table for profile H requirements
Profile A requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) |
6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each | 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
|
IELTS Academic (online or test centre) |
6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each | 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 88 overall with R20 L19 S22 W22 | 95 overall with R22, L21, S23, W22 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 67 overall, with no lower than 64 in all skills | 71 overall, with no lower than 67 in all skills | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 67 overall, with no lower than 64 in all skills | 71 overall, with no lower than 67 in all skills | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or Level B2 with 170 in each skill | Grade C, with 176 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each band | 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 70 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | 75 overall, minimum 70 in each skill | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | 70 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | 75 overall, minimum 70 in each skill | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Return to the list of language-profile tables.
Profile B requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | Undergraduate: 6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills. Postgraduate: 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each skill | Undergraduate: 6.5 overall, 6.5 in Writing, 6.0 in remaining skills. Postgraduate: 6.5 overall; minimum 6 in each skill | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | Undergraduate: 6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills. Postgraduate: 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each skill | Undergraduate: 6.5 overall, 6.5 in Writing, 6.0 in remaining skills. Postgraduate: 6.5 overall; minimum 6 in each skill | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | Undergraduate: 80 overall, R18, L17, S20, W19. Postgraduate: 80 overall, R18, L17, S20, W17. | Undergraduate: 88 overall, R20, L19, S22, W22. Postgraduate: 88 overall, R20, L19, S22, W19. | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | Undergraduate: 64 overall, with 64 in writing and no skill lower than 60. Postgraduate: 64 overall, with no lower than 60 in all skills. | Undergraduate: 67 overall, with 67 in writing and no skill lower than 64. Postgraduate: 67 overall, with no skill lower that 64. | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | Undergraduate: 64 overall, with 64 in writing and no skill lower than 60. Postgraduate: 64 overall, with no lower than 60 in all skills. | Undergraduate: 67 overall, with 67 in writing and no skill lower than 64. Postgraduate: 67 overall, with no skill lower that 64. | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 170 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | Undergraduate: 6.0 overall, 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in other skills. Postgraduate: 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each skill | Undergraduate: 6.5 overall, 6.5 in Writing, 6.0 in remaining skills. Postgraduate: 6.5 overall, minimum 6 in each skill | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | Undergraduate: 65 overall, 65 in Writing, 60 in all other skills Postgraduate: 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Undergraduate: 70 overall, 70 in Writing, 65 in all other skills Postgraduate: 70 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | Undergraduate: 65 overall, 65 in Writing, 60 in all other skills Postgraduate: 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Undergraduate: 70 overall, 70 in Writing, 65 in all other skills Postgraduate: 70 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Return to the list of language-profile tables.
Profile C requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | 6 overall, minimum 6 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | 6 overall, minimum 6 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R18, L17, S20, W17 | 80 overall, R20, L19, S22, W19 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall, with no skill below 60 | 64 overall, with no skill below 64 | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall, with no skill below 60 | 64 overall, with no skill below 64 | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 169 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | 6 overall, minimum 6 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | 60 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 65 in each skill | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where option is available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Return to the list of language-profile tables.
Profile D requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 in Reading and Writing, minimum 5 in Listening and Speaking | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Writing, 5.5 Listening and Speaking | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 in Reading and Writing, minimum 5 in Listening and Speaking | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Writing, 5.5 Listening and Speaking | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R20, L15, S19, W19 | 80 overall, R22, L17, S20, W22 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall, with 64 in reading and writing, and 46 in listening and speaking | 64 overall, with 67 in reading and writing, and 60 in speaking and listening | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall, with 64 in reading and writing, and 46 in listening and speaking | 64 overall, with 67 in reading and writing, and 60 in speaking and listening | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 170 in reading and writing, no score below 168 | Grade C, or level B2 with 176 in reading and writing, no score below 168 | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 in Reading and Writing, minimum 5 in Listening and Speaking | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Writing, 5.5 Listening and Speaking | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Reading and Writing, minimum 54 in Listening and Speaking | 65 overall, minimum 70 in Reading and Writing, minimum 60 in Listening and Speaking | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Reading and Writing, minimum 54 in Listening and Speaking | 65 overall, minimum 70 in Reading and Writing, minimum 60 in Listening and Speaking | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Return to the list of language-profile tables.
Profile E requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R14, L15, S19, W16 | 80 overall, R18, L17, S20, W17 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall, with no skill lower than 46 | 64 overall, with no skill lower than 60 | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall, with no skill lower than 46 | 64 overall, with no skill lower than 60 | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 160 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 54 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | 60 overall, minimum 54 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Return to the list of language-profile tables.
Profile F requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.0 overall, minimum 5.5 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.0 in each other band | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.0 overall, minimum 5.5 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.0 in each other band | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 63 overall, R14, L17, S20, W16 | 72 overall, R18, L18, S22, W17 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 46 overall, with 60 in listening or speaking, and no other skill below 46 | 60 overall, with 64 in speaking or listening, and no other skill below 60 | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 46 overall, with 60 in listening or speaking, and no other skill below 46 | 60 overall, with 64 in speaking or listening, and no other skill below 60 | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 160 in listening or speaking, no score below 168 | Grade C, or level B2 with 172 in listening or speaking, no score below 168 | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.0 overall, minimum 5.5 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.0 in each other band | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Listening or Speaking, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 54 overall, minimum 60 in Listening or Speaking, minimum 54 in all other skills | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Listening or Speaking, minimum 60 in all other skills | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | 54 overall, minimum 60 in Listening or Speaking, minimum 54 in all other skills | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Listening or Speaking, minimum 60 in all other skills | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Return to the list of language-profile tables.
Profile G requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Reading and Listening, minimum 5 in each other band | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Listening, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Reading and Listening, minimum 5 in each other band | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Listening, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R20, L19, S19, W16 | 80 overall, R22, L21, S20, W17 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall, with 64 in reading and listening, and no other skill below 46 | 64 overall, with 67 in reading and listening, and no other skill below 60 | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall, with 64 in reading and listening, and no other skill below 46 | 64 overall, with 67 in reading and listening, and no other skill below 60 | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 170 in reading and listening, no score below 155 | Grade C, or level B2 with 178 in reading and listening, no score below 162 | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 6 Reading and Listening, minimum 5 in each other band | 6.0 overall, minimum 6.5 Reading and Listening, minimum 5.5 in each other band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Reading and Listening, minimum 54 in Speaking and Writing | 65 overall, minimum 70 in Reading and Listening, minimum 60 in Speaking and Writing | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | 60 overall, minimum 65 in Reading and Listening, minimum 54 in Speaking and Writing | 65 overall, minimum 70 in Reading and Listening, minimum 60 in Speaking and Writing | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |
Return to the list of language-profile tables.
Profile H requirements
| Test taken | Apply for our 10-week programme | Apply for our 6-week programme | Study options you are eligible for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI Academic (SELT) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| IELTS Academic (online or test centre) | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| TOEFL iBT (online or test centre) | 72 overall, R14, L15, S19, W16 | 80 overall, R18, L17, S20, W17 | Online only |
| Pearson PTE Academic UKVI (SELT) | 60 overall, with no skill below 46 | 64 overall, with no skill below 60 | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Pearson PTE Academic (test centre only) | 60 overall, with no skill below 46 | 64 overall, with no skill below 60 | Online only |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | Level C1 | Level C1 | Online only |
| C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Grade C, or level B2 with 160 in each skill | Grade C, or level B2 with 162 in each skill | Online only |
| NCUK English Test | 5.5 overall, minimum 5 in each band | 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each band | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic | 60 overall, minimum 54 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Online only |
| LanguageCERT Academic SELT | 60 overall, minimum 54 in each skill | 65 overall, minimum 60 in each skill | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level IV | PASS | PASS | Online only |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III SELT | PASS | PASS | Online or on-campus (where available) |
| Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III | PASS | PASS | Online only |