English language requirements for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and MSts

General

All teaching and assessment on ICE's postgraduate-level programmes is in English. As a student, you should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

The University of Cambridge believes that it is in the student's interest that their language skills are at a very high level before they embark on a course, and adherence to this requirement is strict.

Students must be able to communicate in English at a level and in an idiom suitable to the subject.

For Undergraduate students:

If you are applying to study an Undergraduate Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma and your first language is not English, you will be required to take a language proficiency test. The minimum requirements are described below.

They must be achieved in the same sitting and no more than two years before the start of the course.

For Postgraduate students:

If you are applying to study a postgraduate-level course, you will be required to pass a language proficiency test at a high level before your admission can be confirmed.

IELTS

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the University's preferred test. Details can be obtained from your local British Council office.

There are two different types of IELTS test: Academic and General Training.

You should choose the Academic test if you wish to study at ICE.

The minimum requirement is an overall band score of 7.0 with not less than 7.0 in speaking, listening and writing, and 6.5 in reading.

Other English Language Tests:

To study on courses at undergraduate level ICE will also accept the following as proof of English language skills:

• TOEFL paper-based (PBT): 600, with 5.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE)
• TOEFL internet-based (iBT): Overall score of 100, with no less than 25 in each element
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185, plus an assessment by the English Language Centre.
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency: Overall score of 200, with no element lower than 185.

Additional information

The English language requirements for certain courses may be higher than those noted above. This will be stated in the course information.

To improve your English language skills, please see the intensive English language training course run by the ADTIS (Academic Development and Training for International Students) section of the University’s Language Centre.

If you do not meet the Language requirements through an approved test, you may be referred for an additional assessment at the University of Cambridge Language Centre.

There is a fee of £96.00 for the assessment, which is to be paid directly to the Language Centre.

For more details, you can visit the Language Centre’s website. If you are referred for the assessment our Admissions team will contact you with further information.