Nottingham IELTS levels and their PTE and TOEFL equivalents
Nottingham's English language requirements page says the IELTS score for each course is in the course listing. Its English language equivalencies tables then show the matching score in other tests. The table below covers the three columns on that page, plus the 7.5 level noted under PTE and Cambridge.
| IELTS on your course listing | IELTS Academic or IELTS for UKVI | PTE Academic or PTE Academic UKVI | TOEFL iBT (tests after January 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 level | 6.0, no element below 5.5 | 65 (minimum 59) | 4.5, no element below 4.0 |
| 6.5 level | 6.5, no element below 6.0 | 71 (minimum 65) | 4.5, no element below 4.5 |
| 7.0 level | 7.0, no element below 6.0 | 76 (minimum 65) | 5.0, no element below 4.5 |
| 7.5 level | 7.5, no element below 7.0 | 79 (minimum 76) | Not stated by Nottingham |
Which tests and versions Nottingham accepts
IELTS for UKVI Academic and standard IELTS Academic appear at the same scores. Both must have been taken within the last two years, and both accept One Skill Retake. The standard IELTS row also says IELTS Online is accepted.
PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI must be within two years, and Nottingham does not combine best scores across several sittings. Its requirements page excludes PTE Online. TOEFL iBT and the Home Edition are accepted. Tests taken up to January 2026 need 80, 90 or 100 on the old scale. Duolingo does not appear on the equivalencies page.
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Take a free scored IELTS mock →Minimum policy, foundation entry and pre-sessional
Nottingham's minimum English entry requirements policy sets IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any element as the minimum for its other undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It adds that many subjects require more.
One-year foundation courses need IELTS 5.5 (no element below 5.0) or PTE 59 (no element below 53). Applicants who need a visa and apply from outside the UK must take IELTS for UKVI or PTE for UKVI for these courses. If you are short, a pre-sessional course at Nottingham's Centre for English Language Education (CELE) can meet the condition.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Nottingham programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Nottingham accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic or PTE Academic UKVI: 65 (minimum 59) for 6.0-level courses, 71 (65) for 6.5, 76 (65) for 7.0 and 79 (76) for 7.5. PTE Online is not accepted.
Does Nottingham accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Yes. Its equivalencies page accepts One Skill Retake for both IELTS Academic and IELTS for UKVI Academic.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI for Nottingham?+
Not for most degree courses, where standard IELTS Academic and IELTS for UKVI are listed at the same scores. Nottingham's policy names IELTS for UKVI or PTE for UKVI for one-year foundation applicants who apply for a visa from outside the UK.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at Nottingham?+
The course listing sets it. Nottingham's policy minimum for postgraduate programmes is IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5, and many subjects ask for 6.5 or 7.0.
Does Nottingham accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not on Nottingham's English language equivalencies page.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Birmingham IELTS requirement
- IELTS for UKVI vs IELTS Academic
- PTE to IELTS score 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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