Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

Entry requirements for international students

We have both academic and English language entry requirements for our courses.

Undergraduate courses

If English is not your first language you'll need to be able to show you have the required level of English language. This is so we can ensure you'll be able to follow your course.

For undergraduate courses, our standard entry criteria for undergraduate courses is IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, with nothing lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Some of our courses may have higher English language proficiency requirements; for details and exceptions regarding IELTS, please visit your course page of choice.

Please note that any student requiring a SELT for pre-sessional English course must ensure that they take their IELTS at an approved test centre.

We also accept the following English language tests as equivalent to IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each element:

  • ETS TOEFL iBT with 80 overall and a minimum of 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
  • Pearson PTE with 60 overall and a minimum of 59 in all components.

For details of other English language qualifications we accept please see below.

Postgraduate courses

If English is not your first language you'll need to be able to show you have the required level of English language. This is so we can ensure you'll be able to follow your course.

For postgraduate courses, our standard entry criteria for postgraduate courses is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with nothing lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Some of our courses may have higher English language proficiency requirements; for details and exceptions regarding IELTS, please visit your course page of choice.

Please note that any student requiring a SELT for pre-sessional or study below degree level must ensure that they take their IELTS at an approved test centre.

We also accept the following English language tests as equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each element:

  • ETS TOEFL iBT with 88 overall and a minimum of 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
  • Pearson PTE with 61 overall and a minimum of 59 in all components.

For details of other English language qualifications we accept please see below.

Research degrees

If English is not your first language you'll need to be able to show you have the required level of English language. This is so we can ensure you'll be able to follow your course.

For research degrees, our standard requirement for all research degrees is IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each component. Some of our courses may have higher English language proficiency requirements; for details and exceptions regarding IELTS, please visit your course page of choice.

Please note that any student requiring a SELT for a pre-sessional English course must ensure that they take their IELTS at an approved test centre.

We also accept the following English language tests as equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each element:

  • ETS TOEFL iBT with 88 overall and a minimum of 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
  • Pearson PTE with 61 overall and a minimum of 59 in all components.

If you already hold an English language qualification, please send a copy to [email protected]. We will advise if we can accept this as an equivalent qualification.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.

We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country please contact our country managers.

Our preferred tests are IELTS (Academic), TOEFL iBT and Pearson PTE (Academic) taken at a test centre, so we recommend you take one of these.

We also recognise the following qualifications/tests:

We are aware that from time to time there may be difficulties in undertaking in-person tests at recognised test centres, due to closures, reduced testing availability, location, etc. and where this is the case we may be able to accept one of the following alternative tests:

With all of the above tests, we reserve the right to undertake additional English language verification at the CAS issuance stage (for student visa applicants). English tests must have been taken within the past two years to be accepted.

There may be exceptions if you have previously completed a recognised academic qualification taught and assessed in English.

To join the first year of our undergraduate course you’ll need one of the following.

  • GCE A levels from a recognised UK examination board.
  • An International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 24 points.
  • A university foundation course recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
  • Relevant qualifications obtained in your home country: see our country-specific entry requirements.
  • For some courses there may be additional requirements, such as portfolios for art and design courses. These are outlined in our undergraduate course pages.

If you've completed study at university level in the UK or your home country you may be eligible to enter directly into Year 2 or 3 of a related degree course at ARU. Find out more about transferring to ARU.

For entry into a postgraduate taught course you'll need one of the following:

  • typically a UK honours degree with lower second class honours (2:2). Some courses may have different requirements: these will be stated on individual course pages
  • relevant qualifications obtained in your home country, as per Anglia Ruskin's country-specific entry requirements
  • some courses may have extra requirements, such as portfolios for art and design courses. These are outlined in our postgraduate course pages.

For entry into a postgraduate research course you'll need one of the following:

  • the usual entry requirement for an MPhil is a UK honours degree in a related subject, with Upper Second Class (2:1) or First Class honours or the equivalent from another country
  • for direct registration for a PhD you will usually require an appropriate Masters degree from a UK university or the equivalent from another country.

For more information about entry requirements, please visit our postgraduate research page.

If you don't yet meet the standard academic requirements to study at Anglia Ruskin University, you can prepare with our partner, ARU College.

ARU College offers a number of foundation, year 1 and pre-Masters pathways onto more than 100 Anglia Ruskin University bachelors and Masters degrees. This option may be suitable for you if you don't quite meet the ARU entry requirements, are looking for more flexible start times or enhanced support at the start of your university career.

Why study with ARU College

  • Start your university journey in a with small class sizes, meaning more individual support from tutors.
  • Following successful completion of the ARU College pathway you will gain entry to Anglia Ruskin University, and graduate with an internationally recognised degree.
  • ARU College students benefit from access to all Anglia Ruskin University facilities and activities, and hold an Anglia Ruskin University ID card from day one.