A new name, the same university
The Office for Students approved the new name for Bishop Grosseteste University in 2025, and it now trades as Lincoln Bishop University. Older documents, including parts of its English policy, still sit under the bishopg.ac.uk address.
Lincoln Bishop minimum scores
From Lincoln Bishop's English language requirements page. The test must be a SELT taken within two years of your start. TOEFL and Duolingo are not listed. Undergraduates with IELTS 5.5 in every section may be admitted with compulsory in-sessional support, which carries a further fee.
| Test | Undergraduate | Taught postgraduate | PGCE (QTS) teacher training |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0, 5.5 in each section | 6.5, 6.0 in each section | 6.5; 6.5 in reading and writing, 6.0 in speaking and listening |
| PTE Academic for UKVI | 59, 59 in each skill | 59, 59 in each skill | Not accepted |
| Oxford ELLT | 6, minimum 5 | 7, minimum 6 | 7; 7 in reading and writing, 6 in speaking and listening |
| LanguageCert | 65, 60 in each | 70, 65 in each | Not accepted |
| Trinity ISE II | 90, 80 in each skill | 90, 80 in each skill | Not accepted |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass in each | B2 Pass with Merit | Not accepted |
Free test: are you at Lincoln Bishop University'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.
WAEC, NECO and degree exemptions
Instead of a SELT, Lincoln Bishop accepts WAEC WASSC (post 1998) or NECO Senior School Certificate (post 2000) English at A1 to C6, within ten years, from Nigeria, and WAEC WASSC (post 2005) from Ghana. These do not apply to PGCE or PGDE, which need both GCSE-level English and a SELT.
You do not need a test if you hold a qualification equivalent to a UK degree from a Home Office majority English-speaking country. A UK postgraduate diploma or certificate is not enough; only a full master's from a UK university waives the condition. The page does not list an Indian Class 12 or degree waiver.
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 Lincoln Bishop programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Lincoln Bishop University 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
Is Lincoln Bishop University the same as Bishop Grosseteste University?+
Yes. The Office for Students approved the change of name from Bishop Grosseteste University in 2025.
What IELTS does Lincoln Bishop need for a master's?+
IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening for taught postgraduate courses.
Does Lincoln Bishop accept PTE?+
Yes, PTE Academic for UKVI at 59 overall with 59 in every skill, for undergraduate and postgraduate courses but not PGCE.
What do I need for a PGCE at Lincoln Bishop?+
IELTS Academic for UKVI at 6.5 with 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in speaking and listening, or Oxford ELLT 7 with matching minimums, plus GCSE-level English.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Lincoln IELTS requirement
- University of Hull IELTS requirement
- IELTS for UKVI vs IELTS Academic
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- 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