GCU London minimum scores
From GCU London's [English language requirements page](https://www.gcu.ac.uk/london/study/applications-and-enquiries/english-language-requirements]. Each programme's English level is mapped to an IELTS score on its own page. Tests usually need to be from the last two years.
| Test | Programmes at IELTS 6.0 (5.5) | Programmes at IELTS 6.5 (6.0) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or IELTS for UKVI | 6.0, no element below 5.5 | 6.5, no element below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic, Academic UKVI or Online | 59, 59 in each | Not published |
| TOEFL iBT or Home Edition (old scale) | 78; L17 R18 S20 W17 | 90; L19 R20 S21 W20 |
| TOEFL iBT (tests from 21 January 2026) | 4, no element below 4 | Not published |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65, no element below 60 | Not published |
| Oxford ELLT | B2 overall, B2 in every element | Not published |
| Password Skills Plus | 6.0, no element below 5.5 | Not published |
| Cambridge (CAE / CPE) | 169, no element below 162; or CAE C, CPE C | CAE B, CPE C |
Class 12 and WAEC instead of a test
GCU London accepts Indian XII standard English at 70% or higher, but only from CBSE or CISCE, not state boards or NIOS. West African WAEC English at C6 is accepted from Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia and Liberia, as is NECO English from Nigeria. Kenya KCSE at C also counts.
Nationals of a UKVI majority English-speaking country who were educated there do not generally need further evidence.
Free test: are you at GCU London's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Free test: take an IELTS mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Higher levels and the visa
The page says some programmes ask more than the 6.0 baseline and names MSc Public Health at IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. For Cambridge results older than two years, GCU London wants a bachelor's degree taught in English, with a letter from the institution.
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 GCU London programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where GCU London publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does GCU London need?+
IELTS Academic or IELTS for UKVI 6.0 with no element below 5.5 for most programmes. MSc Public Health asks 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
Does GCU London accept PTE Online?+
Yes. Its page lists PTE Academic, Academic UKVI and Online at 59 overall with 59 in each part.
Does GCU London accept Class 12 English?+
Yes, at 70% or higher from CBSE or CISCE only. State board and NIOS results are not accepted as English evidence.
Does GCU London accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not on GCU London's list of accepted tests.
Keep reading
Related
- Glasgow Caledonian University IELTS requirement
- Queen Mary University of London IELTS requirement
- PTE vs IELTS for a UK visa
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 1288 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy