University English requirements

What IELTS score do you need for the University of Hertfordshire?

The University of Hertfordshire asks most applicants for IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for undergraduate courses, and 6.5 with no band below 5.5 for postgraduate. PTE Academic is 59 with no band below 59 at both levels, and Duolingo is 105 or 120. Some courses, including nursing, physiotherapy and dietetics, ask for more. Indian Standard XII English is also accepted.
  • Checked against official sources · 4 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

Hertfordshire's standard scores by test

These are the scores on Hertfordshire's international application requirements page for the majority of courses taught on its UK campus or at partner institutions. Duolingo is listed against IELTS equivalents rather than by level of study.

TestUndergraduate (IELTS 6.0 level)Postgraduate (IELTS 6.5 level)
IELTS6.0, no band below 5.56.5, no band below 5.5
PTE Academic59, no band below 5959, no band below 59
Duolingo English Test105, no band below 95120, no band below 95
TOEFL iBT4, with 4 in each band4.5, with 4 in each band
LanguageCert Academic65, no band below 6070, no band below 60
Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced169, no band below 162176, no band below 162

Courses that need a higher score

Course pages state each programme's requirement. Hertfordshire's list of higher requirements, with minimum band scores also applying:

IELTSCourses Hertfordshire names
6.5All postgraduate Business; all Humanities; postgraduate Art, Design, Film, Music and Media; all Nursing and Social Work; most School of Health and Emergency Professions courses; BSc Nutrition; MPharm; MSc Psychology; all postgraduate education
7.0BSc Physiotherapy; BSc Dietetics; MSc Social Work; MSc Advancing Pharmacy Practice; MSc Organisational Psychology; Clinical MD Pathway 1
7.5Clinical MD (General Internal Medicine) Pathway 2

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Indian applicants, validity and pre-sessional

Hertfordshire accepts Indian Standard XII English: 65% for undergraduates and 70% to 75% for postgraduates on the main page. Its India page gives 65% for undergraduate and 70% for postgraduate taught entry. That page also lists postgraduate IELTS as 6.0 or 6.5 depending on the course, with no band below 5.5. Rules for Pakistani and Nigerian school qualifications are not stated on the pages read.

IELTS, PTE and TOEFL results are valid for two years and must still be valid on the date your CAS is issued. Some courses accept only IELTS, and your offer will say so. One Skill Retake, IELTS Online and PTE Academic Online are not stated by Hertfordshire.

To join a pre-sessional English course you need an offer for a Hertfordshire degree and a UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT), Academic IELTS, or a Trinity College test taken in the UK. Hertfordshire International College runs pathway courses.

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

Frequently asked questions

Does the University of Hertfordshire accept PTE?+

Yes. PTE Academic 59 with no band below 59, for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Does Hertfordshire accept Duolingo?+

Yes. 105 overall with no band below 95 matches IELTS 6.0, and 120 with no band below 95 matches IELTS 6.5 (5.5).

Can Indian students study at Hertfordshire without IELTS?+

Yes, with Standard XII English at 65% for undergraduate entry. For postgraduate entry the India page says 70%, and the main requirements page says 70% to 75%.

What IELTS do I need for a master's at Hertfordshire?+

Usually 6.5 with no band below 5.5. Some courses need 7.0, such as MSc Social Work and MSc Organisational Psychology.

How long is IELTS valid for Hertfordshire?+

Two years, and the result must still be valid on the date your CAS is issued.

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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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