English Language Requirements
Everything you need to know
A reasonable proficiency in English is necessary if you are to participate fully in our programmes and other activities at Trinity Laban. This section explains the Trinity Laban English language requirements.
Standard English Language Requirements
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All undergraduate degree level programme entry (including CertHE, BA, BMus, and BSc) – minimum of IELTS 5.5 in all 4 areas / Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English II (ISEII)
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Graduate Diploma (Music) – IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in all areas/ Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English II (ISEII)
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All postgraduate programmes (including Master’s degrees, Professional Diploma, and Artist Diploma) – IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 areas / Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English III (ISEIII)
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Research Degree programme – IELTS (Academic) 6.5 or above in all 4 areas.
Students enrolling on Foundation level programmes (below degree level) are required to take an IELTS for UKVI test (Academic) or one of the Secure English Language Tests (SELT) approved by the UKVI.
Alternative English Language Testing Options
In addition to IELTS and Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English, which we may have asked you to provide for your offer, there are a number of alternative English qualifications we are able to accept. If you have or are sitting one of the qualifications listed here, and it meets our validity policy, then you do not need to take an IELTS test. Please let us know and send a copy of your results so we can check your qualification.
The tables show the English language qualifications we accept for most programmes. However, please check individual programme descriptions for the English language entry requirements for the specific programme. Please note that we accept IELTS One Skill Retake for programme entry in September 2024.
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All undergraduate degree level programme entry (including CertHE, BA, BMus, BSc, BA Contemporary Dance with Foundation Year, and BMus Music with Integrated Foundation)
Qualification | Result |
IELTS (Academic) | Overall score of 5.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (reading, listening, speaking, writing). |
Cambridge: C1 Advanced Certificate in English | Overall score of 162 and no less than 162 in any component |
Cambridge: B2 First Certificate in English | Overall score of 162 and no less than 162 in any component. |
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Communicator) (not including Online version) | Overall Pass, with minimum component scores of: Reading-33/50, Listening -33/50, Speaking-33/50, Writing-33/50. (Applicants must sit the Listening, Reading and Writing Exam and the Speaking Exam.) |
Pearson PTE Academic/ PTE Academic UKVI (the PTE online test is not currently accepted) | Overall score of 45.4, with a minimum of reading (47.9), listening (42.7), speaking (42.2), writing (51.0). |
TOEFL iBT (not including TOEFL iBT Home edition) | Overall score of 72, with minimum component scores of: Reading- 18, Listening -17, Speaking-20, Writing-17. |
Trinity Integrated Skills in English – ISE II | Pass in all 4 components (reading, listening, speaking, writing). |
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Graduate Diploma (Music)
Qualification | Result |
IELTS (Academic) | Overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (reading, listening, speaking, writing). |
Cambridge: C1 Advanced Certificate in English | Overall score of 169 and no less than 162 in any component. |
Cambridge: B2 First Certificate in English | Overall score of 169 and no less than 162 in any component. |
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Communicator) (not including Online version) | Overall Pass, with minimum component scores of: Reading-33/50, Listening -33/50, Speaking-33/50, Writing-33/50. (Applicants must sit the Listening, Reading and Writing Exam and the Speaking Exam.) |
Pearson PTE Academic/ PTE Academic UKVI (the PTE online test is not currently accepted) | Overall score of 51.6, with a minimum of reading (47.9), listening (42.7), speaking (42.2), writing (51.0). |
TOEFL iBT (not including TOEFL iBT Home edition) | Overall score of 72, with minimum component scores of: Reading- 10, Listening -10, Speaking-18, Writing-17. |
Trinity Integrated Skills in English – ISE II | Pass in all 4 components (reading, listening, speaking, writing). |
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All postgraduate degree programmes (including MMus, MA, MFA, MSc, MEd, Professional Diploma, and Artist Diploma)
Qualification | Result |
IELTS (Academic) | Overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in all four components. |
Cambridge: C1 Advanced Certificate in English | Overall score of 176, with no less than 162 in any component. |
Cambridge: B2 First Certificate in English | Overall score of 176, with no less than 162 in any component. |
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 (Communicator) (not including Online version) | Overall Pass, with minimum component scores of: Reading-33/50, Listening -33/50, Speaking 33/50, Writing-33/50. (Applicants must sit the Listening, Reading and Writing Exam and the Speaking Exam.) |
Pearson PTE Academic/ PTE Academic UKVI (the PTE online test is not currently accepted) | Overall score of 58.5, with a minimum of reading (47.9), listening (42.7), speaking (42.2), writing (51.0). |
TOEFL iBT (not including TOEFL iBT Home edition) | Overall score of 79, with minimum component scores of: Reading- 18, Listening -17, Speaking-20, Writing-17. |
Trinity Integrated Skills in English – ISE III | Pass in all 4 components (reading, listening, speaking, writing). |
- Research Degree Programme
IELTS (Academic)
Overall score of 7.0, with at least 6.5 in all four components.
The tests listed above are valid if they have been taken within two years of the start date of your chosen programme. The start date for the purposes of English language requirements is the 1st day of the month in which your programme commences, i.e. if your programme starts in September 2024, the test must be dated within two years of 1st September 2024.
Possible Exemptions
Exemptions from the English language requirement will be considered for those who have:
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A degree from an English-speaking country or a university where the language of instruction was English
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If you need a Student visa to study in the UK and are unsure whether your qualification from a certain country or territory is eligible for the English language waiver, you may find it helpful to check the list of eligible countries or territories published by the UKVI.
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An A or AS-Level qualification in an essay-based academic subject (such as History, English Language or Literature, or Economics)
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A GCSE in English (Language or Literature)
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An International Baccalaureate Diploma – Standard or Higher-Level English Language
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A Pearson or Cambridge iGCSE in English (First Language)
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A USA High School Graduation Diploma
If you believe that you meet one of the criteria or wish to discuss your eligibility for an English language proficiency waiver, please contact Admissions who will be able to help.