English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we may ask you to provide evidence of your English language abilities when you apply to study at Edinburgh Napier University.

Contact us

Contact our International Team if you have questions about your English language requirements.

Accepted English language tests

We accept the following English language tests. The grades below are the minimum requirements and some courses require a higher level. Visit our course listings for further information. If you hold a language certificate that is not listed below, please get in touch with us.

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You’re very welcome to apply before taking an English language test. If your application is successful, but we need further evidence that you meet our English language requirements, an English language test will likely be a condition of your offer. The test would need to be completed less than 2 years before your course start date. 

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees 

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5

TOEFL Internet Based Test

80 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

Pearson’s Test of Academic English

56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each component

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE))

169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Cambridge B2 First (formerly Cambridge English First (FCE))

169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English Advanced (CAE))

169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Trinity Integrated Skills Test (ISE)

ISEII, ISEIII, ISEIV with a pass in each component

LanguageCert English language qualification

B2 Communicator Test with overall 39 or above, and 25 or above in all skills

Research degree programmes

The University accepts the following English language tests for entry purposes. If you want to study a DBA please contact thePostgraduate Research Admissions Team.

IELTS (Academic)

6.5 overall with no component less than 6.0

TOEFL Internet Based Test

88 overall with a minimum of 19 in listening, 20 in reading, 22 in speaking and 19 in writing

Pearson’s Test of Academic English

60 overall with a minimum of 55 in each component

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE))

176 overall with a minimum of 169 in each component

Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English Advanced (CAE))

176 overall with a minimum of 169 in each component

Trinity Integrated Skills Test (ISE)

ISEIII, ISEIV with a pass in each component

LanguageCert English language qualification

B2 Communicator Test with overall 39 or above, and 33 or above in all skills

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you have not met the minimum English language requirement, we offer a number of courses to help you achieve the required level.