Country Specific Qualifications

Our English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but the following English language qualifications are also accepted if taken within the listed period before the start date of the programme at Swansea.

If you obtained the qualification outside the valid period which met standard programme requirements, it may still be possible to accept you if you have undertaken further study or worked in the medium of English since taking the test.

What if my qualification is outside the validity period?

Our English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we will also accept English in the following school leaving qualifications.

If you obtained the qualification outside the validity period it may still be possible to accept you if you have undertaken further study or worked in the medium of English since taking the test. See below for further details.

Although the above tests are acceptable for admission to the University, you may be asked to sit a further English test on arrival to assess whether any additional English language support may be needed.

Our English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we will also accept English in the following qualifications.

If you obtained the qualification outside the validity period it may still be possible to accept you if you have undertaken further study or worked in the medium of English since taking the test. See ‘what if my test or qualification is outside the validity period’ for further details.

Candidates who have studied at Bachelor level or higher in one of the countries listed in TABLE 1, within 10 years of the programme start date, DO NOT need to provide evidence of an English Language qualification.  Applicants from Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore can also be accepted on post-school Diploma qualifications completed through the medium of English, as long as they have been studied within the 10 year validity period.

Candidates who have studied in countries listed in TABLE 2, within 10 years of their postgraduate start date at Swansea. MUST provide evidence of English proficiency, as outlined.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Applicants from the following countries MUST provide evidence of English Language as outlined below.

Although the above tests/qualifications are acceptable for admission to the University, you may be asked to sit a further English test on arrival to assess whether any additional English language support may be needed.

All qualifications must have been obtained within a set number of years before starting your course with us. If you hold one of the approved qualifications listed above which met standard programme requirements, but it was obtained outside the validity period it may still be possible to accept you if you have continued to study or work in the medium of English since taking the qualification.

For example:

• If you have successfully completed 1 year of study at secondary, undergraduate or postgraduate level through the medium of English within 10 years of the programme start date - please provide us with a letter, transcript or certificate from the school or college confirming the study was in English;
• If you have worked in a Majority English Speaking Country for a significant amount of time since completing your approved English qualification – please provide a detailed CV outlining the nature of the work;

• If you have worked through the medium of English in any other country for a significant amount of time since completing your approved English Language qualification, it may be possible to exempt you from taking an English test.

  Please provide us with a reference from your employer confirming that you have worked in a formal capacity in English. References must give specific examples of how you use the four components of English Language (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) in your place of employment daily.  Your referee should be responsible for your line management or in charge of the company/organisation.  We are unable to accept references from friends or family members.  If you have worked in multiple roles since completing your acceptable English Language qualification, you may be asked to provide a reference from each of the organisations you have worked.  References should include an employer stamp and an official employer email address.  Referees whose details include Hotmail or Gmail accounts may not be accepted.

  References will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  Providing a reference does not guarantee exemption from an English Language test.

English-language-employer-reference-form