Accepted English tests at Edinburgh
Both the undergraduate and postgraduate English pages send you to the degree finder for scores, because requirements vary between degrees. Edinburgh warns that some degrees ask for more than the standard levels.
For example, the MSc Accounting and Financial Management asks for IELTS Academic 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component, or TOEFL iBT 100 with 20 in each component for tests before 21 January 2026.
| Test | Accepted? | How old it can be |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / IELTS for UKVI / IELTS Academic Online | Yes, single test; no One Skill Retake | 2 years on the 1st of the start month |
| TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition) | Yes, single test; no MyBest; old and new scales in degree finder | 2 years |
| Oxford ELLT / Oxford Test of English Advanced | Yes | 2 years |
| C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | Yes (undergraduate: 176 overall, 162 in each component) | 3.5 years |
| Trinity ISE | 2026 entry only; under review for 2027 | 2 years |
| PTE Academic | Not on Edinburgh's accepted lists | — |
| Duolingo | Not on Edinburgh's accepted lists | — |
Visa: your admission test must be on Edinburgh's list
Edinburgh sets its requirements so the tests it accepts also meet the Home Office minimum for Student visas. If you need a visa, the English qualification you use for admission must be on its accepted list, unless you are a national of a UKVI majority English-speaking country.
IELTS for UKVI from an approved centre is needed only for Edinburgh's own English language programmes and International Foundation Programme. Degree entry accepts the standard IELTS Academic.
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Take a free scored IELTS mock →Pre-sessional English and degree-based routes
Postgraduates can meet the requirement with Edinburgh's English for Academic Purposes pre-sessional or the in-person University of Glasgow Pre-Sessional English programme. The course must finish no more than two years and one month before the 1st of your start month.
Postgraduates may also qualify through a degree taught and assessed in English in a UKVI majority English-speaking country, or at a university on Edinburgh's approved list.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Edinburgh programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Edinburgh accept PTE?+
PTE Academic is not on Edinburgh's undergraduate or postgraduate lists of accepted English tests, which name IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, Oxford Test of English Advanced, Trinity ISE and Cambridge C1/C2.
Is One Skill Retake accepted at Edinburgh?+
No. Edinburgh says English requirements must be met in a single test and it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake.
Does Edinburgh accept IELTS Online?+
Yes. IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic for UKVI and IELTS Academic Online are all accepted.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at Edinburgh?+
It is set per programme in the degree finder. The MSc Accounting and Financial Management, for example, asks for 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
How old can my IELTS be for Edinburgh?+
No more than two years old on the 1st of the month your degree starts, whatever your nationality.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Manchester IELTS requirement
- IELTS for a UK Student visa
- IELTS for UK universities
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
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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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