UCL English levels 1 to 5: IELTS and PTE
The same five levels appear on UCL's undergraduate and graduate English language pages. Level 1 used to be called "Standard", Level 2 "Good" and Level 4 "Advanced". Each programme page says which level you need. UCL calls IELTS Academic its preferred English qualification.
| UCL level | IELTS Academic (overall / each) | PTE Academic (overall / each skill) | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 6.5 / 6.0 | 75 / 67 | 176 / 169 |
| Level 2 | 7.0 / 6.5 | 76 / 75 | 180 / 172 |
| Level 3 | 7.0 / 7.0 | 76 / 76 | 185 / 180 |
| Level 4 | 7.5 / 7.0 | 80 / 76 | 191 / 180 |
| Level 5 | 8.0 / 8.0 | 88 / 80 | 210 / 200 |
TOEFL iBT at UCL (old and new scale)
UCL still accepts TOEFL iBT after the 21 January 2026 format change, and the Home Edition counts. Tests from that date must meet the new 1–6 requirements in full; older tests are judged on the old scale while still within two years. MyBestScores are not accepted.
| UCL level | TOEFL before 21 Jan 2026 | TOEFL from 21 Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 92 (R/W 24, S/L 20) | 4.5 (4.0 each) |
| Level 2 | 96 (R/W 24, S/L 22) | 4.5 (4.5 each) |
| Level 3 | 100 (R/W 25, S/L 23) | 5.0 (5.0 each) |
| Level 4 | 109 (R/W 27, S/L 23) | 5.5 (5.0 each) |
| Level 5 | 110 (R/W 29, S/L 23) | 5.5 (5.5 R/W/L, 6.0 speaking) |
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Your test or qualification must be no more than two years old at enrolment. For September 2026 entry, that means sat on or after 1 September 2024. UCL accepts IELTS Academic Online and says it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake. Undergraduates must meet the overall and every component score in the same test.
UCL's pre-sessional English courses also meet the requirement: 65% overall with 60% in each component for Level 1, rising to 80% across the board for Level 5. Undergraduate offer holders had until 17:00 UK time on 3 September 2026 to meet their conditions.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UCL programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does UCL accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic from 75 overall with 67 in each communicative skill (Level 1) up to 88 with 80 in each (Level 5).
Is One Skill Retake accepted at UCL?+
No. UCL states it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake, though it does accept the IELTS Academic Online test.
Does UCL accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not on either of UCL's lists of accepted English tests.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at UCL?+
It depends on the programme's level: 6.5 (6.0 each) at Level 1, 7.0 (6.5 each) at Level 2, up to 8.0 (8.0 each) at Level 5.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI for UCL?+
UCL's pages list IELTS Academic, including the online version, and do not ask for the UKVI version for degree study.
Keep reading
Related
- King's College London IELTS requirement
- Imperial College IELTS requirement
- TOEFL to IELTS converter
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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