Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Cumbria London: who can apply
From the MBA (London) course page, which states that international students who need a Student visa are not eligible for London-campus courses because of UKVI licence restrictions.
| Course or route | IELTS | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (London) | 6.5, minimum 6 in each component | Not open to Student visa applicants |
| Undergraduate, university-wide | 6.0, 5.5 in each component | Cumbria's English requirements page |
| Postgraduate, university-wide | 6.5, 5.5 in each component | Cumbria's English requirements page |
University-wide tests and country routes
Cumbria's English language requirements page accepts IELTS or Cumbria's own Password test at 6.0 (5.5) for undergraduate and 6.5 (5.5) for postgraduate. It lists TOEFL iBT 4 (4 each) for undergraduate and 4.5 (4 each) for postgraduate, LanguageCert B2 at 65 or 70 per skill, and Oxford ELLT Digital 6 (5) or 7 (5).
Indian Class XII English at 65% meets the 6.0 (5.5) level and 70% meets 6.5 (5.5), and WAEC or NECO at C6 meets 6.0 (5.5), with no validity limit on either. SELTs are valid for two years. These university-wide levels differ from the London MBA page, which asks for 6.0 in each component.
Free test: are you at the University of Cumbria London'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.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
How to check
If you are already in the UK on another visa, confirm with Cumbria that your status lets you study at the London campus before you book a test.
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 Cumbria programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Cumbria 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 the University of Cumbria London MBA need?+
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in each component.
Can I study at Cumbria London on a Student visa?+
No. The MBA (London) page says international students who need a Student visa are not eligible for London-campus courses.
Does Cumbria accept Class 12 English?+
University-wide, yes: 65% for the 6.0 (5.5) level and 70% for 6.5 (5.5).
Does Cumbria have its own English test?+
Yes. The university-wide page accepts Cumbria's Password test at the same levels as IELTS.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the UK accepting IELTS 6.0
- University of Cumbria IELTS requirement
- Bath Spa University London IELTS requirement
- DMU London IELTS requirement
- 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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