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General Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

Buckinghamshire New University welcomes applications from students studying a wide range of qualifications from around the world. Whilst you can find specific details of our international qualification requirements under the ‘Your Country’ page, our typical tariff for undergraduate entry will require a UCAS Tariff score between 88-128 points and is listed on each course page.

Entry to taught postgraduate programmes normally requires a first degree, but relevant experience, in some cases, can substitute for this requirement.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for our three year programmes, or those who do not feel fully prepared for first year entry, can be considered for the four year programme including a foundation year. Applicants to these will have typically achieved between 32-56 UCAS tariff points. Applicants are required to have a minimum of IELTS 5.5 in all areas for courses with a foundation year.

Suitability for entry to our programmes can be demonstrated in a number of ways and is not limited to academic qualifications alone. Applicants who do not meet our published entry requirements are encouraged to contact admissions for advice at admissions@bucks.ac.uk or attend one of our Undergraduate Open Days or Postgraduate Open Days.

Some programmes (such as Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Operating Department Practice) frequently require a higher tariff for entry which can be found on the relevant course page. Applicants may also be required to undertake an additional written assessment to establish that an appropriate level of ability in English language and mathematics has been achieved.

All English waivers need to be taken within the last 2 years for undergraduate applications, and 5 years for postgraduate applications. Any English qualifications such as IELTS, PTE and TOEFL need to be taken within 2 years.

Please note that we are not currently accepting applications from international students to part-time courses at postgraduate level that are taught in the UK.

 

To study at BNU applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient English language ability to be able to succeed prior to their enrolment. This is typically evidenced through completion of a GCSE, level 2 and or by an equivalent programme from a majority English speaking country.

Any student who has studied in a non-majority English speaking country will typically be asked to complete an additional qualification testing English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing). BNU accepts the following English language tests in addition to GCSE:

Language TestGeneral Undergraduate Requirement*General Postgraduate Requirement*
IELTS Academic / IELTS for UKVI6.0 overall with minimum of 5.5 in all areas.6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in all areas.
Pearson Test of English55 overall with minimum of 51 in all areas.59 overall with minimum of 51 in all areas.
TOEFL iBT80 overall with minimum of 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 20 in Speaking and 18 in reading88 overall with minimum of 17 in Listening, 17 in Writing, 20 in Speaking and 18 in reading
LanguageCert International ESOLB2 Communicator level with an overall score of 33-37 and nothing below 25-32B2 Communicator level with an overall score of 38-50 and nothing below 33-37
Functional Skills English (Level 2)PassPass
Adult Literacy (Level 2)PassPass
Integrated Skills in English (ISE II)

Reading: Pass; Listening: Pass;

Speaking: Pass; Writing: Pass

Reading: Pass; Listening: Pass;

Speaking: Pass; Writing: Pass

International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level English Language SyllabusGrade 5 or aboveGrade 5 or above
International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level English Language SyllabusGrade 4 or aboveGrade 4 or above
Edexcel IGCSE English Language AGrade C / 4, or above, including Speaking and ListeningGrade C / 4, or above, including Speaking and Listening
Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second LanguageGrade B / 6, or above, including Speaking and ListeningGrade B / 6, or above, including Speaking and Listening
Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate: AdvancedMinimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169  in any componentMinimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169  in any component
TESAPlease see IELTS requirementPlease see IELTS requirement
Oxford ELLT*6 overall with minimum 5 in all areas7 overall with minimum 5 in all areas

Oxford ELLT

You can also benefit from using our discount code at check out to purchase the test for only £75: Bucks75. Find out more today.

Scores in brackets indicate a minimum element mark.

*In some instances, courses may involve professional accreditation which requires a higher level of English language than included in the table above and a specific English test. Please refer to individual course pages for further information.

Applicants wishing to submit an English qualification not listed on the University website should contact Buckinghamshire New University Admissions at admissions@bucks.ac.uk for advice.

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