There are a large number of different English Language qualifications which will be sufficient for you to gain postgraduate entry to UK universities. The two main English language tests that are accepted in many universities throughout the world and all universities in the UK are TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System). If you already have a degree from an English Language speaking country (e.g. Australia , Canada , Ireland , New Zealand , the UK or the USA ) then you may not need a further qualification to prove your proficiency in the English language.
TOEFL
TOEFL
tests are run by a USA not for profit organisation the Educational Training Service (www.ets.org). ETS also administer the GRE tests required for access to US universities, as well as the specialist GMAT tests for those wishing to study in US business & management schools. Click here for a full list of worldwide institutions who accept TOEFL.
From 2006 the new TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) will be available throughout the world. Tests are carried out in registered test centres in many global locations.
The cost of a TOEFL exam is $140 (as at October 2005). This includes the provision of a practice test. ETS will send official notification of your results to up to 5 institutions nominated by you before the test as well as providing you with your own hard copy of your results. ETS charge for sending out extra confirmations of your results to institutions or for institutions that are nominated by you after the deadline.
IELTS
IELTS is owned and run by an international consortium consisting of The British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (www.IELTS.org). The academic IELTS test is recognised in most universities in Australia , Canada , Ireland , New Zealand , South Africa , the United Kingdom and currently by over 380 universities and colleges in the USA . Click here for a full list of worldwide institutions who accept IELTS. The price of a test varies in each of the 120 countries in which they have test centres. The cost of taking the test in the UK is £88 (as at October 2005). IELTS will send official notification of your results to institutions nominated by you as well as providing you with your own hard copy of your results.
Minimum Scores
Minimum IELTS score for entry to UK postgraduate courses varies from between 6 and 7. The minimum requirement for postgraduate entry in most UK universities is 6.5. Higher scores will be required for disciplines which require higher degrees of literacy (e.g. English Literature may require IELTS 7.5). For those who don't get the required scores most universities run intensive English language courses to bring you up to the right level. You will have to pay a fee for these courses as well as finding the money to cover the additional living costs incurred during the extra time spent in the UK . Courses can be anything from 2 to 20 weeks and in some specialist areas, such as business studies, the English language course may be even longer. Details of requirements for these courses will be different in each university and you will need to check their web sites for details.
Although very soon all TOEFL tests will be internet based, many people have scores based on the old tests. The following table shows which scores are equivalent to each other as well as the equivalent IELTS score:*
IELTS |
TOEFL |
|
Paper Based |
Computer Based |
Internet Based |
7.5 |
627 |
263 |
107 |
7 |
600 |
250 |
100 |
6.5 |
577 |
233 |
90 |
6 |
550 |
213 |
79 |
5.5 |
525 |
197 |
71 |
5 |
500 |
173 |
61 |
*The comparison between IELTS & TOEFL scores is based on similar tables on a number of leading UK university web sites. It is not endorsed by either TOEFL or IELTS.
TOEFL assesses students' ability to understand and write North American English and the testing format is largely multiple choice, to suit the American University examining system. Because of this and because the old written TOEFL did not include assessment of writing and speaking, some UK universities require higher TOEFL scores than the IELTS equivalent listed here. Whichever of these tests you take the results will only be accepted by universities if they are less than two years old - if your qualification is older than this you will need to take a new test.
Both IELTS & Internet Based TOEFL examine the four separate areas of
- Reading
- Speaking
- Listening
- Writing
Candidates receive an individual score for each test and these can also be important to securing entry to your chosen university.
You should always take these tests with a view to achieve the highest possible score as it will not only improve your chances of admission or a scholarship, but also of obtaining part time work whilst you are in the UK.
IELTS test gradings can be interpreted as follows:
IELTS 9
Expert User |
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
IELTS 8
Very Good
User |
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
IELTS 7
Good User |
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
IELTS 6
Competent User |
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
IELTS 5
Modest User |
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
Full details, including sample tests, test centre locations, costs and registration procedures for either test can be found on the respective web sites:
IELTS - www.IELTS.org
TOEFL - www.ets.org/toefl
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