Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
The standard Loughborough requirement
London course pages such as MSc Finance and Management (London) say only that applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements, linking to the university-wide rules. Figures below are from Loughborough's English language requirements page, which says all postgraduate taught departments use the standard level except MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology, which is taught at the main campus.
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (including Online and One Skill Retake) | 6.5 overall, not less than 6.0 in each test |
| PTE Academic (centre-based) | 65 overall, not less than 61 in each sub-test |
| TOEFL iBT from 21 January 2026 | 4.5 overall, 4.5 in writing and listening, 4.0 in speaking and reading |
| TOEFL iBT before 21 January 2026 | 88 overall, not less than 21 in each test |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall (speaking 110, writing 115, reading 110, listening 105) |
| Oxford ELLT Global | 7 overall, not less than 6 in each test |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | Grade C/180 / grade C/200 |
Class 12, degree waivers and validity
Indian Class XII English counts at 75% from CBSE and ISCE, and at 80% from the Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal state boards. Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Telangana boards are not accepted, so applicants from those boards need a test.
A degree from a listed majority English-speaking country, or a UK degree studied in the UK, can waive the test. Medium of Instruction letters are not accepted. Tests must be no more than two years old at the start of the course. The university's international English page also lists WAEC WASSCE and NECO English at grade C6.
Free test: are you at Loughborough University London's score yet?
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Pre-sessional and how to check
If you fall short, Loughborough may offer a pre-sessional English programme at the discretion of the department. For 2026 the page lists an 11-week Programme C and a 6-week Programme D, on campus or online; it does not list a separate London-campus pre-sessional.
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, but the level must still be equivalent to B2.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Loughborough London programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Loughborough University 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 Loughborough University London need?+
The university standard of IELTS 6.5 overall with not less than 6.0 in each test. London course pages link to this requirement.
Does Loughborough London accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 120 overall with speaking 110, writing 115, reading 110 and listening 105.
Can I use Class 12 English for Loughborough London?+
Yes, 75% from CBSE or ISCE, or 80% from listed state boards. Gujarat, Haryana, J&K, Punjab and Telangana boards are not accepted.
Does Loughborough accept a Medium of Instruction letter?+
No. Medium of Instruction letters and English proficiency letters are not accepted.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the UK accepting IELTS 6.5
- Loughborough University IELTS requirement
- Henley Business School IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- IELTS for the UK: scores by university and visa
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 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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