All applicants are expected to have an effective knowledge of English, both spoken and written. For applicants whose first language is not English, we require proof of English proficiency. We require the same level of English for all programmes.
Please note that these may be subject to change in line with developments to UK Visas & Immigration policy.
If you are require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK and need to provide a Secure English Language Test, you must ensure that your test is on UKVI’s list of approved tests and test centres. Please ensure you check this list at every step of your visa application – before booking your test and before submitting your visa application.
We accept the following English language proficiency tests:
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic / for UKVI) with an overall bandwidth of 7.0 or above, with no less than 6.5 in Reading and Writing (must be taken within 2 years of the start of the programme)
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing
- Cambridge English C2 Proficiency: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing
Please note that we will not accept any other tests such as institutional test results, TOEFL, LanguageCert and Pearson.
You may be exempt from providing proof of proficiency if either of the following applies to you:
- You are a national of a majority English speaking country*
- You have an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification), which is equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree and the qualification is from an education provider in a majority English speaking country, including the UK and Republic of Ireland but not Canada.
*Majority English-speaking countries are defined by the Home Office as:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
If you are unable to book a test at a centre in advance of the application deadline, you may submit your application without an English proficiency result and it will be passed on for consideration. You should send your test result when it becomes available to you.
Foreign language requirements
A small number of the MA History of Art programme’s special options require students to be able to study texts in their original language. Where this is a requirement, the special options list the languages needed.