Lancaster University

Do I need to have an English language qualification?

Depending on where you have studied and what programme you have completed, you may be asked to prove evidence of your competence in English Language. Examples of students who will normally be asked for an English Language qualification are:

• holders of qualifications from their home country, with exceptions being students from India and Singapore who have studied entirely in English;
• those completing Foundation programmes which do not include in their assessment internationally recognised English tests, such as PPP (Malaysia).

To meet our English Language requirements you need to achieve one of:

IELTS - International English Language Testing Service:- from the British Council and the University of Cambridge. 
Undergraduate programmes require an overall minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with at least 5.0 in each element.  However, some courses, including all Management School degrees, will require an overall minimum score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each element.
Postgraduate programmes require an overall minimum score of 6.5. However, some courses, including Management School degrees, will require an overall minimum score of 7.0.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language - from the Education Testing Service in the USA.
Undergraduate programmes require an overall minimum TOEFL score of 83 on the internet-based test. However, all Management School degrees require an overall minimum score of 93 with at least 20 in each element.

Postgraduate programmes require an overall minimum score of 93 on the internet-based test. However, some courses, including Management School degree schemes, will require an overall minimum score of 100.

A range of other English language qualifications are accepted for undergraduate study. These include:

• Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic).
  Minimum Scores:
  55 Undergraduate Science & Technology
  62 Other Undergraduate degrees and most Postgraduate degrees.
  70 MBA
• CPE - Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency - from the University of Cambridge. Minimum grade C.
• GCE 'O' level or GCSE/IGCSE English Language - minimum grade C.
• INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE - English Language B at Higher Level, grade 5 or Standard Level grade 6.
• EUROPEAN BACCALAUREATE - English as first foreign language, 7.5.
• HONG KONG AS LEVEL - Use of English. Minimum grade D, but profile generally looked at.
• HKCEE ENGLISH LANGUAGE - Syllabus B. Minimum grade B.

English Language Preparation

International applicants who have taken an approved English Language test, but who do not meet the minimum entry requirement for their degree programme, may be offered the option of taking an English language preparation programme as an alternative to re-taking the test.

There are three pre-sessional programmes provided by Lancaster:

20 Weeks May 3rd - September 21st 2012 (Fees £5,760*)	Entry IELTS 5.0 5.5	Exit (IELTS equivalent) 6.5 7.0
10 Weeks July 12th - September 21st 2012 (Fees £2,880*)	Entry IELTS 5.5 6.0	Exit (IELTS equivalent) 6.5 7.0
4 Weeks September 3rd - September 28th 2012 (Fees £1,200)	Entry IELTS 6.0 6.5	Exit (IELTS equivalent) 6.5 7.0

* Please be aware that a deposit of 10% is currently payable to confirm your place for the 20 and 10 week courses.

Each course typically involves:
Academic reading and Writing
Academic listening and discussion
Speaking skills

If our offer of study recommends that you attend one of the above, you will be provided with further information about the appropriate English language preparation programme at that time.

To view the course outline for the 20 week ELPP programme please click here.

To view FAQ's ( frequently asked questions and answers) for the 10 week ELPP programme click here.

Study skills and academic support

The University provides a variety of services to help you with aspects of study, such as writing, lectures, reading and revision. There is a Faculty Student Learning Advisor based within each Faculty to provide learning support.