Stirling's three levels by test
From Stirling's English language requirements page, which accepts the same tests for undergraduate and postgraduate study if taken within two years of your course start, and does not require a SELT for degree-level study. Duolingo is not on the list, and whether Stirling accepts IELTS One Skill Retake or IELTS Indicator is not stated.
| Test | IELTS 6.0 level | IELTS 6.5 level | IELTS 7.0 level |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic for UKVI or IELTS Academic Online | 6.0, no sub-skill below 5.5 | 6.5, no sub-skill below 6.0 | 7.0, no sub-skills below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic (in-centre test only) | 60, 59 in each sub-skill | 62, 60 in each sub-skill | 67, 60 in each sub-skill |
| TOEFL iBT, centre or Home Edition (from 21 January 2026) | 4, no less than 4 in any band | 4.5 | 5 |
| Oxford ELLT Digital or Global | 6, no sub-skill below 5 | 7, no sub-skill below 6 | 8, no sub-skill below 6 |
| LanguageCert Academic SELT | 65, 60 in each skill | 70, 65 in each skill | 75, 65 in each skill |
Stirling IELTS and PTE on course pages
These course pages were read on 8 October 2026. Stirling's MBA page says the course is no longer available to study.
| Course | Level | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computing Science BSc | Undergraduate | 6.0, minimum 5.5 in each sub-skill | 60, minimum 59 in each sub-skill |
| Nursing (Adult) BSc | Undergraduate | 7.0; writing 6.5, other skills 7.0 | 67; writing 62, other skills 67 |
| Big Data MSc | Postgraduate | 6.0, minimum 5.5 in each sub-skill | 60, minimum 59 |
| Human Resource Management MSc | Postgraduate | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each sub-skill | 62, 60 in each sub-skill |
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Stirling's undergraduate waiver applies only to courses needing IELTS 6.0 or 6.5, and its postgraduate waiver excludes courses such as Human Resource Management MSc, TESOL and any course needing 7.0. School results must be from the last five years, except Nigerian WAEC, accepted indefinitely. Its South Asia pages list no waiver for Nepal or Bangladesh, and Bangladeshi school leavers usually take a Foundation Year.
| Qualification | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard XII English: CBSE/ISC/ICSE or Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal | 70% | 70%, plus an MOI letter from the last five years |
| Standard XII English: other boards | 80% (a SELT may be required depending on the board) | 80%, plus an MOI letter (a SELT may still be required) |
| Pakistan High School Certificate English | Not accepted; an English qualification is needed | 60%, plus an MOI letter from a listed university, within five years |
| WAEC or WASSCE English (Nigeria) | C6 or above | C6 or above |
Pre-CAS interviews, deposit, pre-sessional and the Student visa
Stirling's CAS page says it may request a pre-CAS interview: about 20 minutes of recorded answers on CAS Shield, reviewed by admissions staff who recommend whether a CAS is issued. Its admissions policy asks applicants who need a Student visa for a tuition fee deposit on accepting an offer; the amount is given in the offer and not stated publicly.
Stirling's pre-sessional courses, run with INTO for students at IELTS 5.0 to 6.5, cost £5,150 for 12 weeks or £3,605 for 8 weeks online in summer 2027, and £5,250 for 10 weeks or £3,350 for 6 weeks on campus. On-campus courses accept only IELTS UKVI Academic or PTE UKVI Academic.
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 Stirling programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Stirling accept PTE?+
Yes, in a test centre only: 60 with 59 in each sub-skill for IELTS 6.0 courses, 62 with 60 for 6.5 courses and 67 with 60 for 7.0 courses.
Does Stirling accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo does not appear on Stirling's list of accepted English language tests.
Does Stirling accept IELTS Online?+
Yes. Stirling lists IELTS Academic for UKVI, IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic Online for both undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Can Indian students study at Stirling without IELTS?+
Yes, for courses needing IELTS 6.0 or 6.5: 70% in Standard XII English from CBSE, ISC/ICSE or seven named state boards, or 80% from other boards. Postgraduates also need an MOI letter.
Does Stirling interview students before the CAS?+
It may. Stirling's CAS page describes a roughly 20-minute recorded pre-CAS interview on CAS Shield, reviewed by admissions staff who recommend whether to issue a CAS.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Strathclyde IELTS requirement
- Edinburgh Napier University IELTS requirement
- PTE vs IELTS for a UK visa
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Verified against the linked official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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