Visas and English language requirements

English language requirements

Oxford’s undergraduate courses are demanding, and you will need to demonstrate that you have a high level of proficiency in English to take up a place here.

If your first language is English and you have always been a resident and citizen of a majority English-speaking country recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) you do not need to demonstrate your level of English.

You do not need to have evidence of your English Language proficiency when you make your UCAS application.

If you are offered a place, you will need to show the correct level of proficiency by 31 July in the year you receive your offer. Note this deadline applies even if you are not due to start your course until the following October.

Recording this qualification

If you have already achieved the required level of proficiency, please include the details in the qualifications section of your UCAS application alongside your other educational qualifications.

Possible exemptions

Exemptions from this English Language requirement will be considered for those who:

• are studying (or have completed) the International Baccalaureate programme, if it is taught in English
• are studying (or have completed) the Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL)
• have been educated full-time in English for at least the two most recent years before applying and who remain in full-time education in this language until completion of their schooling. This means that a minimum of three years of your most recent education must have been in English before the start of your Oxford course.

If you believe that you meet one of the criteria for an English language proficiency waiver, please complete this form and send it to the college that has made your offer.

Age of qualification

Unless your English language certificate has an expiry date, the time when this was issued does not affect its validity. If your certificate does have an expiry date, you should ensure that it is valid at the point when you provide it to your college as evidence of English language proficiency.

All courses now require the higher level of ability in English.

To meet the English language requirements for your offer to the University you must, where applicable, receive all qualifying test component scores (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) from the same session; we will not consider scores from multiple sessions ('superscoring').

Please note that Pearson PTE Academic Online is no longer accepted. If you are an offer holder and have taken this qualification or are in the process of studying for it, please contact the college that has made your offer. 

*We recommend that you take the IELTS Academic option. The IELTS General, IELTS UKVI General and IELTS life skills options are not suitable for admission. The IELTS UKVI Academic test can be accepted but is not recommended, as this is more expensive than the IELTS Academic test and is not offered in as many countries or centres worldwide so it may be difficult to book an appointment. This UKVI version of the test is required for students taking courses below degree level but is not required for courses at degree level or above and IELTS recommend that university applicants do not apply for this version of the test as it will fill up spaces required by other students (below degree level) who do have to take this version of the test.

** TOEFL Essentials  and TOEFL ITP are not accepted.