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Birmingham City University International College

English Language

English language requirements

The language of instruction at BCUIC is English. To gain entry onto an undergraduate or postgraduate pathway, you must be able to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency.

 

For Foundation or Pre-Master's: IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5.5)

For First Year: IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5)

 

(For Nursing, please check the programme page.) 

Exemptions

Please note that, where appropriate (such as where you have obtained the relevant score), BCUIC will exempt the need for IELTS if you have taken local examinations in English – such as WAEC, CBSE, HKDSE, GCSE or A-level – or if you can demonstrate where you have studied in a majority English language speaking country, as defined by the UKVI. If you have graduated in the UK with a UK Bachelor’s degree, you are also exempt from needing IELTS.

Visit this page for a full list of accepted English language qualifications.

 

Birmingham City University English tests

BCUIC also accepts Birmingham City University English tests in lieu of IELTS and other English qualifications. These tests are cheaper than IELTS and are available throughout the year, both in the UK and overseas.

Visit this page for details about dates and locations.

 

Pre-Sessional English courses

If you have not achieved the required English language scores, you can enrol onto an online Pre-Sessional English course. English language training is delivered by Birmingham City University and is available either online or face-to-face.

February – April 2023 (Online Delivery)
Course duration Required entry level (For exit level of 5.5 (minimum 5.5)) Required entry level (For exit level of 6.0 (minimum 5.5)) Dates Cost

10 weeks PSE

IELTS 4.5 (minimum 4.5)

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5)

February 20 – April 28

£3,250

6 weeks PSE

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 5.0) IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5.0) March 20 – April 28 £1,950

For online delivery, please ensure you have a laptop and stable internet access.

May – August 2023 (Online Delivery)

16 weeks

IELTS 4.0 (minimum 4.0)

IELTS 4.5 (minimum 4.0)

May 8 – 25 August

£6,000

10 weeks(1)

IELTS 4.5 (minimum 4.5) 

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5) 

May 8 – 14 July

£3,250

10 weeks(2)

IELTS 4.5 (minimum 4.5) 

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5) 

June 19 – August 25

£3,250

6 weeks (1)

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 5.0) 

IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5.0) 

June 5 – July 14

£1,950

6 weeks (2)

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 5.0) 

IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5.0) 

July 17 – August 25

£1,950

May- September 2023 (On-Campus Pre-Sessional Delivery) Please note: Secure English Language Test (SELT) required for on-campus PSE

16 weeks

IELTS 4.0 (minimum 4.0)

IELTS 4.5 (minimum 4.0)

May 15- September 1

£6,000

10 weeks

IELTS 4.5 (minimum 4.5) (SELT)

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 4.5) (SELT)

June 26 – September 1

£3,250

6 weeks

IELTS 5.0 (minimum 5.0) (SELT)

IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5.0) (SELT)

July 24 – September 1

£1,950

If you qualify for the 10- or 6-week Pre-Sessional English course and have met all other conditions on your offer, BCUIC will usually be able to issue you with a joint CAS that covers both your Pre-Sessional and your academic course.

If you qualify for the 16-week Pre-Sessional English course, you will be issued with a separate CAS for your Pre-Sessional course and you will need to apply for a new visa for the academic course. Please note that Birmingham City University will assist all students through this process.

 

UK English Levels

We have provided this calculator to help establish the entry level for a student based on their current English Certificate.

It asks for the title and date of the test and uses that information to show the available entry levels for UK study.

 

Calculator