Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Les Roches English thresholds
From the Les Roches admissions procedure (September 2026), linked from its admission requirements page. It applies at Marbella, Crans-Montana and Abu Dhabi.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | 5.5, no band below 5.0 | TOEFL iBT 70 (new scale 3.5), PTE 48, Cambridge 160 |
| Postgraduate, Advanced Studies, Executive | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 80 (new scale 4), PTE 53, Cambridge 180 |
| English Support + Bachelor | 5.0, no band below 4.5 | TOEFL 60, PTE 44 |
| Intensive English Support + Bachelor | 4.5, no band below 4.0 | TOEFL 50, PTE 40 |
| English Support + Postgraduate | 5.5, no band below 5.0 | TOEFL 70, PTE 48 |
| Bilingual Spanish-English Bachelor (Marbella only) | 4.0, no band below 3.5 | TOEFL 30, PTE 36 |
Exemptions and validity
Tests must be issued within 24 months of your intended intake. Native speakers, or applicants with at least two years of full-time upper-secondary or higher education in English, may be exempted with documented evidence. Executive programme applicants can also be exempted with two years of verified work in an English-speaking environment and an interview.
Duolingo is not in the document.
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English Support courses
English Support courses are non-degree and non-credit. You move on to the degree only once you meet your programme's English threshold. Les Roches may issue a conditional or a full offer.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Les Roches programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Les Roches Marbella 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 Les Roches Marbella need?+
IELTS Academic 5.5 with no band below 5.0 for the Bachelor; 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for postgraduate programmes.
Can I join Les Roches with IELTS 5.0?+
Yes, on the English Support + Bachelor route, which needs 5.0 with no band below 4.5.
Does Les Roches accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE 48 for the Bachelor and 53 for postgraduate study.
How old can my IELTS be for Les Roches?+
It must be issued within 24 months of your intended intake.
Does Les Roches accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not listed in the Les Roches admissions procedure.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Spain
- EU Business School IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- How long is IELTS valid?
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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