Alternative qualifications
In addition to the requirements listed on our main English Language requirements page, we also accept a range of alternative qualifications to demonstrate your level of English language proficiency.
All qualifications listed below have a 5-year validity unless marked with a * (indicating 2-year validity) or ** (indicating 7-year validity). Applicants for Distance Learning programmes must meet the direct entry requirements.
Online testing
We accept the following online English language tests for September 2025 entry (2-year validity from 1 September 2023):
Please note that we are not currently accepting Pearson Academic Online tests, but we do accept Pearson Academic tests from test centres.
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Advanced Placement (AP) English | 3 |
| A-Level in Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences | 2 grades A-C |
| A-level English Language or English literature | C |
| AS-level English Language or English literature | C |
| UK: Access* | Distinction |
| Austrian Matura/Reifeprufung | 2 (gut) in English with both written and oral exams |
| Bell Undergraduate Foundation Programme English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) |
| Cambridge (C1) Advanced English Exam (CAE)* | B or C or 180 with 170 in subscores |
| Cambridge (C2) Proficiency English Exam (CPE) (open validity) | B or C or 180 with 170 in subscores |
| Cameroon O Level** English | C |
| CATS Undergraduate Foundation Programme English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) In-sessional: 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| David Game College English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) |
| Denmark Studentereksamen | 9 |
| EF Undergraduate Foundation Programme English* | 65% (65% in Writing and 60% in other subskills) |
| EU Baccalaureate (English Language) | 6 at Level 1, 7 at Level 2, or 7.5 at Level 3 |
| Estonia Matura | 4 |
| Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen matriculation exam | 4 Advanced level |
| French Baccalaureate OIB Bilingual English programme | 11 |
| French Baccalaureate General in English | 13 |
| GCSE, IGCSE, O Level** English Language or English Literature (includes Malaysia, Singapore and Zimbabwe syndicated GCSEs). Please note we do not accept English as a 2nd language O level or GCSE. | 5 or C |
| German Abitur English (main course) | 10 |
| Holland/The Netherlands VWO | 7 |
| HKALE | C |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) | 4 |
| IB Standard English Language and Literature A or Language B | 4 |
| IB Higher English Language and Literature A or Language B | 4 |
| IB Diploma | 4+ in two subjects (Arts & Humanities or Social Sciences) |
| IELTS Online* | 6.5 overall with 6.0 in subscores and 6.5 in writing (Direct entry); 6.5 overall with 5.5 in subscores and 6.0 in writing (4 week Pre-sessional); 6.0 overall with 5.5 in subscores (8 week Pre-sessional) |
| IFCELS ELAS Course* | 55% direct entry, 50% 4 week Pre-sessional |
| IFCELS FDPS Pre-Masters Course SOAS* | 55% direct entry, 50% 4 week Pre-sessional |
| IFCELS ICC Foundation Course SOAS* | 55% direct entry, 50% 4 week Pre-sessional |
| Iceland Studentsprof matriculation examination, English | 8 (when taken as a compulsory modern language) |
| IFP Academic English module* | 65% |
| Indian School Certificate (Standard XII) | 70% |
| INTO English for Academic Purposes (EAP)*, English for Undergraduate Studies (EUS)* or IELA* | 65% and 60% in all subskills or 175 (IELA) |
| Kaplan Foundation English* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Kenya Secondary Education Certificate - English language | C |
| Latvia English Certificate of General Secondary Education | 80% |
| Luxembourgish High School | 45 |
| Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) English 1119 | 4 |
| Malta Secondary Education Certificate - English language | 3 |
| NCUK Foundation* | B in English for Academic Purposes |
| Norwegian Vitnemal English | 4 |
| NVQ, SVQ (social sciences or humanities) | 4 |
| OnCampus Test of English* | 65% overall with 60% in subskills |
| Poland Matura | 70% |
| Pre-sessional English from a UK university* | Pass |
| SATs US High School Reading and Writing (all areas)* | 592 |
| Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level English** | C |
| Singapore Integrated Programme: Language Arts | B3 |
| South African National Senior School Cert English (Home Language) | 5 |
| Study Group ISC* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| Swedish Fullstandigt fran Gymnasieskolan, English | B or equivalent |
| Switzerland Maturitatzeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato de Maturita | 4 |
| Trinity ISE II/ISE III* | Pass with Merit |
| Trinity ISE IV* | Pass |
| TOEFL PBT* | 620 with 5 in TWE and 60 in subscores |
| Turkey BUEPT (Turkish Universities) | C |
| University of London International Foundation Programme (IFP)* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| US High School Diploma (MESC countries) | Pass |
| Warwick Undergraduate Foundation Programme* | 65% and 60% in all subskills |
| West African High School Certificate (WAEC) | C5 |
| Zambia: High School Leaving Certificate English | 3 |
| Zimbabwe High School Leaving Certificate | 3 |
| Zimbabwe O Level English language** | C |
*2-year validity from 1st September 2023
**O Levels equivalent 7-year validity from July 2018
The information provided on this page is a basic guide to our English admissions and SOAS reserves the right to apply the criteria at its own discretion in all cases.