English language requirements
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If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will need to demonstrate that you have a reasonable knowledge of the English language.
Qualifications we accept
Usually you will need to provide your score from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. IELTS score requirements for each programme are shown on the programme web pages. Equivalent qualifications and scores accepted by the RCA are shown below. In all cases, the test must have been taken within two years of the start date of your programme.
If you have not already taken an approved English Language Test and achieved the required score, then we will advise you to book a test as soon as possible if all of the other elements of your application are successful.
Note: If you have received a second class (upper division) degree or above from a university in a majority English-speaking country within the last two years, you are exempt from this requirement when applying for our Master's and Graduate Diploma programmes.
Below you'll find all the English language tests that we accept as equivalents to IELTS scores.
Online tests
We accept IELTS online test and a number of IELTS equivalent online tests. We recommend PASSWORD Plus as an alternative to IELTS.
See below for all IELTS equivalent online and at centre tests which we accept.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Pre-Sessional Courses
If you have not reached the required English language level to begin your programme at the RCA, the College offers an online eight-week online EAP Pre-Sessional course from July to August every year. Please see below for the required IELTS equivalent level to join the 8 week Pre-Sessional course.
We also offer a four-week online version of the Pre-Sessional course in August. This is for students who have reached the required IELTS score for their programme but wish to improve their language and academic skills in a context specifically designed for Art and Design postgraduate students at the RCA. The pre-sessional course provides a valuable chance to practise academic English in the context of art and design with authentic and relevant tasks and materials.
Our Pre-Sessional courses are accredited by the global forum BALEAP - the British Association of English for Academic Purposes.
Find out more about our Pre-Sessional courses and how to join.
We also provide In-Sessional support once you begin your RCA programme. Find our more about our In-Sessional support.
Home Office English Language Requirements
In addition to the RCA’s minimum requirements, students who need a student visa for their studies at the RCA will need to show that they have met the Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance into the UK. For detailed guidance on English language requirements for all higher education students coming to the UK, please see the Home Office information.
Usually you will need to provide your score from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. IELTS score requirements for each programme are shown on the programme web pages. Equivalent qualifications and scores accepted by the RCA are shown below.
We are aware that, following the Covid-19 global pandemic, a number of approved English language test centres around the world have been closed. Below you'll find alternative online equivalents that we now accept.
If you have not already taken an approved English Language Test and achieved the required score, then we will advise you to book a test if all of the other elements of your application are successful.
We accept online tests as well as tests taken at test centres in person. Please see below ‘Equivalent IELTS scores’ for the tests we accept. You will need to provide evidence that you have achieved the correct language requirements for your Programme.
Alongside other acceptable online tests (see below), the College recommends Password Plus, an online English test that will enable you, on successful completion, to achieve the standard necessary to register for a programme of the College. The Password Exam operates a similar format to the IELTS examination, testing on your English listening, reading, speaking and writing ability. Please visit the Password Plus website to purchase an exam.
Note: If you have received a second class (upper division) degree or above from a university in a majority English-speaking country within the last two years, you are exempt from this requirement when applying for our MA programmes.
Equivalent IELTS scores
Graduate Diploma programmes
At test centre
IELTS - overall 5.5 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) - overall 51 | writing 51 | other skills 51
Cambridge English Scale - overall 162 | writing 162 | other skills 162
TEEP - overall 5.5 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
OIBEC - overall Pass | writing Pass | other skills Pass
Trinity ISE Level II - overall Pass | writing Pass | other skills Pass
Online testing
IELTS Online - overall 5.5 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
Password - overall 5.5 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) Academic Online - overall 51 | writing 51 | other skills 51
Language Cert B2 - writing Pass 25 | other skills Pass 25
Language Cert C1 - writing Pass 25 | other skills Pass 25
(we recommend taking the B2 Communicator version of the Language Cert test, rather than the C1 Expert version)
MA, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes programmes programmes
At test centre
IELTS - overall 6.5 | writing 6.0 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) - overall 62 | writing 59 | other skills 51
Cambridge English Scale - overall 176 | writing 169 | other skills 162
TEEP - overall 6.5 | writing 6.0 | other skills 5.5
OIBEC - overall Pass | writing Pass | other skills Pass
Trinity ISE Level III - overall Merit | writing Merit | other skills Merit
Online testing
IELTS Online - overall 6.5 | writing 6.0 | other skills 5.5
Password - overall 6.5 | writing 6.0 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) Academic Online - overall 62 | writing 59 | other skills 51
Language Cert B2 - writing Pass 33 | other skills Pass 25
Language Cert C1 - writing Pass 25 | other skills Pass 25
(we recommend taking the B2 Communicator version of the Language Cert test, rather than the C1 Expert version)
MA, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes programmes with EAP 8-week pre-sessional course
At test centre
IELTS - overall 6.0 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) - overall 54 | writing 51 | other skills 51
Cambridge English Scale - overall 169 | writing 162 | other skills 162
TEEP - overall 6.0 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
OIBEC - overall Pass | writing Pass | other skills Pass
Trinity ISE Level II - overall Merit | writing Merit | other skills Merit
Online testing
IELTS Online - overall 6.0 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
Password - overall 6.0 | writing 5.5 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) Academic Online - overall 54 | writing 51 | other skills 51
Language Cert B2 - writing Pass 25 | other High Pass 25
Language Cert C1 - writing Pass 25 | other skills Pass 25
(we recommend taking the B2 Communicator version of the Language Cert test, rather than the C1 Expert version)
MPhil programmes
At test centre
IELTS - overall 6.5 | writing 6.5 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) - overall 62 | writing 62 | other skills 51
Cambridge English Scale - overall 176 | writing 176 | other skills 162
TEEP - overall 6.5 | writing 6.5 | other skills 5.5
OIBEC - overall Pass | writing Pass | other skills Pass
Trinity ISE Level III - overall Merit | writing Merit | other skills Merit
Online testing
IELTS Online - overall 6.5 | writing 6.5 | other skills 5.5
Password - overall 6.5 | writing 6.5 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) Online - overall 62 | writing 62 | other skills 51
Language Cert B2 - writing Pass 38 | other skills Pass 25
Language Cert C1 - writing Pass 25 | other skills Pass 25
PhD programmes
At test centre
IELTS - overall 7.0 | writing 7.0 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) - overall 69 | writing 69 | other skills 51
Cambridge English Scale - overall 185 | writing 185 | other skills 162
TEEP - overall 7.0 | writing 7.0 | other skills 5.5
OIBEC - overall Pass | writing Pass | other skills Pass
Trinity ISE Level III - overall Merit | writing Merit | other skills Merit
Online testing
IELTS Online - overall 7.0 | writing 7.0 | other skills 5.5
Password - overall 7.0 | writing 7.0 | other skills 5.5
Pearson (PTE) Online - overall 69 | writing 69 | other skills 51
Language Cert C1 - writing Pass 25 | other skills Pass 25
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