University English requirements

What IELTS score do you need for Northeastern University London?

Northeastern University London asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in listening, speaking, reading and writing, for both undergraduate and master's study. PTE Academic is 60 with 55 in each component, Duolingo 115 with 105 in each, and TOEFL iBT 4.5 with 4 in each. Results must be from within two years of your start date.
  • Checked against official sources · 13 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

NU London accepted tests and scores

From NU London's entry requirements page, which sets one English level for undergraduate and master's study. These are the London campus's own requirements; Northeastern's US campuses publish separate ones.

TestMinimum (undergraduate and master's)
IELTS Academic6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component
PTE Academic60 overall, 55 in each component
Duolingo English Test115 overall, 105 in each component
TOEFL iBT (MyBest scores not accepted)4.5 overall, 4 in each component
LanguageCert Academic (SELT, in person or online)70 overall, 65 in each component
Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency176 overall, no component below 169
GCSE or IGCSE EnglishGrade 4 or C

Exemptions and what Indian applicants need

NU London says undergraduate applicants who took higher-level English in their secondary school examinations may be exempt, with details in its academic handbook. It does not publish a Class 12 English mark that replaces IELTS, so plan on a test unless admissions confirm the exemption for your board.

On the requirements by country page, Indian applicants are considered with Standard XII at 85% or above for undergraduate entry, and Data Science applicants also need GCSE Maths at 4/C or the equivalent. Master's offers normally go to applicants with an upper second-class degree or the equivalent.

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Before you apply

Every test result must have been obtained within two years before your course starts. NU London requires undergraduates to be at least 18 by the last date of the spring semester in their year of entry.

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 NU London programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.

Minimum vs competitive score

Where Northeastern 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 score does Northeastern University London require?+

IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each of the four components, for both undergraduate and master's degrees.

Does NU London accept PTE?+

Yes. PTE Academic 60 overall with at least 55 in each component.

Does Northeastern University London accept Duolingo?+

Yes. Duolingo 115 overall with at least 105 in each component.

Does NU London accept the new TOEFL scale?+

Its page lists TOEFL iBT at 4.5 overall with 4 in each component, on the 1 to 6 scale, and says MyBest scores are not accepted.

Keep reading

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Verified against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.

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