Cardiff's English levels by test
From Cardiff's English language requirements page and postgraduate equivalents. IELTS for UKVI is not required for undergraduate or postgraduate courses. Tests are valid for two calendar years, and the Oxford ELLT for 18 months.
| Test | IELTS 6.5 (5.5) | IELTS 6.5 (6.0) | IELTS 7.0 (6.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (incl. One Skill Retake) | 6.5, min 5.5 in each subskill | 6.5, min 6.0 in each subskill | 7.0, at least 6.0 in each subskill |
| PTE Academic | 69, min 59 in all communicative skills | 69, min 62 in all communicative skills | 76, no less than 62 in all communicative skills |
| TOEFL iBT incl. Home Edition (post-January 2026) | 4.5, min 4.0 in each subskill | 4.5, min 4.5 in each subskill | 5.0, min 4.5 in each subskill |
| LanguageCert Academic (in person) | 70, min 60 in each subskill | 70, min 65 in each subskill | 75, min 65 in each subskill |
| Oxford ELLT (Digital and Global) | 7, no less than 5 | 7, no less than 6 | 8, no less than 6 |
Cardiff course examples
Course pages read on 6 October 2026. Cardiff's undergraduate page sets higher levels for Law, healthcare, Pharmacy, Medicine and Dentistry. The Computer Science BSc page lists TOEFL iBT 90 with 17 to 20 per skill, while the central table lists 88 with 20 in each for the same level, so check TOEFL scores with admissions.
| Course | Level | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science BSc | Undergraduate | 6.5, min 5.5 in each subskill | 69, min 59 |
| LLB Law programmes | Undergraduate | 6.5, min 6.0 in all subskills | 69, min 62 |
| MBBCh Medicine and BDS Dentistry | Undergraduate | 7.0, 7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in others | 76, 76 in speaking, 69 in others |
| Data Science and Analytics MSc | Postgraduate | 6.5, 5.5 in all subskills | Not stated on the course page |
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Cardiff accepts Indian Standard XII English (Core English, English Elective and similar, but not Functional English) and West African results. Its tables say Standard XII English from Punjab, Gujarat or Haryana states is not accepted, yet its list of accepted boards includes the Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab boards. The two statements conflict, so confirm with Cardiff admissions before relying on these boards.
Cardiff's Nigeria page says WAEC or IGCSE can be considered for undergraduate entry instead of IELTS, but Foundation applicants must sit IELTS. School routes for Pakistan and Nepal are not stated by Cardiff.
| Qualification | IELTS 6.5 courses | IELTS 7.0 courses | IELTS 7.5 courses (postgraduate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Standard XII English | 70% or 140 out of 200 | 70% or 140 out of 200 | 75% or 145 out of 200 |
| Tamil Nadu Board Standard XII English (post-2018) | 70 out of 100 | 70 out of 100 | 75 out of 100 |
| WAEC or WASSCE, any subject except local languages | C6 | B3 | B2 |
Pre-sessional English and the Student visa
Cardiff's pre-sessional courses for summer 2026 run 6 to 20 weeks, online, combined or on campus, for offer holders with IELTS 5.0 or above. For a course needing 6.5, the 12-week course takes 5.5 (5.0 in writing and speaking, 4.5 elsewhere) and the 20-week takes 5.0. The 6-week course is for 6.0 into a 6.5 course or 6.5 into a 7.0 course. Pre-sessional and Foundation students usually need IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI.
For a Student visa, UK Visas and Immigration asks for English at CEFR B2 for degree-level study and B1 below degree level, per gov.uk. At degree level, gov.uk adds, your university can assess your English itself and may ask you to take a different test.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Cardiff programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cardiff University accept PTE?+
Yes: 69 with 59 in all communicative skills for the standard IELTS 6.5 (5.5) level, 69 with 62 for 6.5 (6.0), and 76 with 62 for 7.0 (6.0).
Does Cardiff accept IELTS Online?+
No. Cardiff accepts IELTS Academic from any test centre, including One Skill Retake, but does not currently accept the online IELTS test.
Does Cardiff accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo does not appear on Cardiff's lists of accepted English language tests.
Can Indian students study at Cardiff without IELTS?+
Yes, with 70% or 140/200 in Standard XII English for IELTS 6.5 and 7.0 courses. Cardiff's pages conflict on the Punjab, Gujarat and Haryana boards, so confirm with admissions.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI for Cardiff?+
Not for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. Cardiff usually asks for IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI for Foundation and pre-sessional courses.
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Verified against the linked official sources on 6 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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