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English Language Requirements

All International Students seeking entry to the University are required to demonstrate their English Language proficiency in line with the University’s admissions requirements and English Language policy.

In addition, the University is required to formally assess the English Language ability of any student it wishes to sponsor under the Student Visa route. Any applicant requiring sponsorship will be required to meet both the UKVI and the University’s own English language entry requirements. 

Each course offered by the University will set out the required English Language level required to gain admission to the course. This is generally higher than that required by UKVI for Immigration purposes.

Please note that the University reserves the right to request any applicant undertakes an English Language assessment with one of its own English Language assessors regardless of the evidence provided of English Language proficiency. The University reserves the right on the basis of this assessment not to grant entry where it has reasons to doubt the applicant is at the appropriate overall English language proficiency. 

The English language entry requirements are as follows:

  • An overall English language level equivalent to an IELTS score of 5.0 with no lower than 4.5 in reading, speaking, listening and a minimum score of 5.0 in writing.

  • An overall English Language level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no lower than 5.5 in reading writing, listening and speaking.

  • An overall English Language level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no lower than 6.5 in reading and writing, and with no lower than 5.5 in listening or speaking.

  • Applicants may automatically satisfy the English language entry requirements of the University for academic study for all courses if they are considered to be native English speakers through citizenship of the following majority English speaking countries:

    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Australia
    • Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Canada
    • Dominica
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Ireland
    • Jamaica
    • Malta
    • New Zealand
    • St Kitts and Nevis
    • St Lucia
    • St Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • United Kingdom
    • United States of America
  • In addition to the above, applicants may also provide the following evidence to meet the relevant English Language requirements for their course:

    • International Foundation Programme, Cert HE and HND courses
    • A UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test.
  • If an applicant has:

    • Successfully completed a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, at a recognised institution based in one of the above majority English speaking countries (certificates, transcripts and/or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
    • Successfully completed within the last two years a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification at a recognised institution that has been certified as being taught in the medium of English (certificates, transcripts and / or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
    • A UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University.
    • One of the following English Language Test documents awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University: 
    Name of Qualification Score Required
    IELTS (Academic) for UKVI Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
    Cambridge English: C1 Advanced.  Minimum score of 169 overall with at least 162 in each component part.
    Cambridge English: B2 Business Vantage
    (BEC Vantage)
    – for Business courses only.
    Minimum score of 169 overall with at least 162 in each component part.
    Cambridge English: C1 Business Higher
    (BEC Higher)
    – for Business courses only
    Minimum score of 169 overall with at least 162 in each component part.
    Language Cert International ESOL SELT B2 or C1. Must be taken at a UKVI recognised test centre Minimum score all four component 33/50 required.
    TOEFL iBT taken at an authorised test centre only Reading minimum 18, Listening minimum 17, Writing minimum 17, Speaking Minimum 20, TOEFL MyBest scores not accepted.
    Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency A pass is acceptable at all levels of entry.
    Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) taken at UKVI test centre. Minimum Score of 59 required in all four components.
    University of Wales Trinity Saint David: Wales Academic Language Test Minimum overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
    Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II or III undertaken within the UK at a UKVI approved test centre Pass
    International Baccalaureate   Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 5 Language A or Higher Level 5 or Standard Level 5 Language B
    Cambridge IGCSE Minimum Grade C (grade 4) in IGCSE in English as a Second Language satisfy the English language proficiency requirements for undergraduate study
  • If an applicant has:

    • One of the following country specific qualifications awarded within two years of applying to the University: 
    Name of Qualification Score Required
    SQA HND Business Pass plus successful pass of Interview with UWTSD English Language Assessor
    Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Level 4 in English Language (with a minimum of level 3 in each skill) plus successful pass of interview with UWTSD English Language Assessor.
    Indian Standard XII, English Language with the exception of Punjab and Haryana boards 70% or above in English Language component
    Malaysian 1119 syllabus (UCLES) For courses with an IELTS equivalent requirement of 6.0 overall or lower: Grade C or above For courses with an IELTS requirement of 6.5 overall: Grade B or above
    Ugandan Certificate of Education (UCE) Grade 6 or above
    Nigerian and Ghana WAEC Grade C6 English or above
    Norway Vitnemal Grade 4 in English
  • Postgraduate Research courses

    If an applicant has:

    1. Successfully completed within the last two years a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, at a recognised institution based in one of the above majority English speaking countries (certificates, transcripts and/or other documents stating language of delivery and assessment may be required by the University prior to an offer being made).
    2. A UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test awarded within 2 years of applying to the University.
    3. One of the following English Language Test documents awarded within 2 years of applying for entry to the University: 
    Name of Qualification Score Required
    IELTS (Academic) for UKVI Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no lower than 6.5 in Reading and Writing, and no lower than 5.5 in Listening or Speaking.
    Cambridge English: C1 Advanced Minimum score of 176 above with no lower than 162 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
    Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency  Minimum score of 176 above with no lower than 162 in Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.
    Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) taken at a UKVI test centre Minimum score of 62 required in all four components.
    University of Wales Trinity Saint David: Wales Academic Language Test Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no lower than 6.5 in Reading and Writing and no lower than 5.5 in Listening and Speaking.
    Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) ll Distinction in each component
    Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) lll Pass or above overall, with Passes or above in each component

Pre-sessional English Language Courses

Pre-sessional English Language Courses are for students who have been offered a place on a degree programme at University of Wales Trinity Saint David but need to improve their English Language proficiency and/or Study Skills before studying their chosen subject.

All 2024 Pre-sessional courses will take place on campus.

  • All our pre-sessional courses are intensive, consisting of a minimum of 16 hours contact time per week and regular periods of self-study, weekly meetings with a personal tutor and access to a digital support programme.
  • All of our courses are delivered by a team of highly qualified English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Teachers.
  • All course materials are included in the cost.
  • Progress on pre-sessional courses is closely monitored and assessment is both formative and summative.

You will need to show evidence of meeting the English Language entry requirements via a valid Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate at the point of application.

2nd August 2024 to 13th September 2024

Tuition fee: £2,200

Minimum entry requirement:
SELT 5.5 or above with Speaking, Listening and Reading scores of 5.0 or above and a Writing score of 5.5 or above.

Application deadline: 5th July 2024

8th July 2024 to 13th September 2024

Tuition fee: £3,900

Minimum entry requirement:
SELT 5.0 or above with Speaking, Listening and Reading scores of  4.5 or above and a Writing score of 5.0 or above

Application deadline: 7th June 2024