Entry requirements
To join us at the University of Sheffield International College, you need to meet the minimum academic and English language entrance requirements.
For courses starting in February 2022, you can choose how you study so you can either join us on campus or start your studies virtually from home. Find out more here.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are now able to accept a wider range of English tests for entry in February 2022.
Joining us on campus
You can start your studies with a UKVI- approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), provided you have met all the programme entry requirements.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
- IELTS Academic for UKVI
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
- Language Cert SELT
- PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
Starting your studies virtually from home and coming to campus at a later date
You can start your studies virtually with a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) as above or you can provide proof of your English language proficiency with an alternative test. This is possible because you do not need a Student Visa to start virtually from your home country.
You will need to obtain a SELT with the required minimum score to make a Student Visa application in order to come to campus.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme
Alternative tests accepted include:
- IELTS Academic (Non-UKVI) / IELTS Academic Online
- IELTS Indicator
- Pearson PTE Academic / Pearson PTE Academic Online
- Language Cert International ESOL
- TOEFL iBT/iBT Home Edition
- Cambridge ESOL
- Duolingo
- Cambridge Linguaskill
- Oxford Test of English
- Academic English Skills
- Password Skills Solo
You can start your studies in September 2021 with either a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), or an accepted alternative equivalent assessment, provided you meet all the programme entry requirements.
The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.
This applies if you:
- come to campus, or
- start your studies virtually and join us on campus at a later date.
UKVI-approved SELTS include:
- IELTS Academic for UKVI
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English UKVI
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
- Language Cert SELT
- PSI Skills for English UKVI (4 components)
Alternative tests accepted include:
- Pearson PTE Academic / Pearson PTE Academic Online
- IELTS Academic (Non-UKVI) / IELTS Academic Online
- LanguageCert International ESOL
- TOEFL iBT / TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- Cambridge ESOL
- Duolingo
- Cambridge Linguaskill
- Oxford Test of English
- Academic English Skills
- Password Skills Solo
Study Group is permitted to assess students’ suitability for entry onto programmes which are degree level and above under the registration for the UK Office for Students. You are therefore not required to have a UKVI SELT to obtain a Student Visa when you come to campus.
If you begin your course virtually and transfer to the UK to complete your programme, you may be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) based on the Academic English Skills module assessments (as part of your Pre-Masters).
A CAS for a Student Visa will only be issued if you have met the minimum language requirement of CEFR B2 in all skills, and the academic entry requirements for your chosen programme.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for your pathway programme, you can join an English language preparation course first.
To progress to your undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you will be required to successfully complete your pathway programme and achieve the required grades.
Academic programmes
International Foundation Year (undergraduate pathway)
Entry requirements for the International Foundation Year are listed below. If you need additional English language tuition to reach the requirements, you can study an English language course first.
| Academic | Good high school graduation grades or equivalent |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O Level: 5 subjects including relevant subjects, grades B or above (students must be 17 or over). New grades 9 - 6 in English and Maths | |
| IB Diploma Programme: 26 points (IB Certificate accepted, 26 points) (Subject pass level is 3) Dentistry: International Baccalaureate (IB) - 30 points, must have 5 in Higher level Chemistry and Higher Biology (not standard level) | |
| AS levels: 32 points (formerly 100 UCAS points (only A-C grades) (excluding native language) For Dentistry: 3 x AS levels grade with A in Chemistry, Biology and another subject (not native language) 1 pass at grade A/B, and any borderline case inc D grades, to be referred to HoC | |
| A levels: 2 passes at grade C (new tariff 64) or 3 passes at grade D (new tariff 72) For Dentistry: 3 x A Levels grade with B in Chemistry, Biology and another subject (except native language) in first sitting | |
| English language | 2 semesters: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 with minimum 5.0 in writing (minimum of 4.0 in other skills), or equivalent 2 semesters (Dentistry): Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (6.0 in all skills), or equivalent 1.5 semesters: Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 (minimum 5.0 in all skills), or equivalent |
| Age | 17+ (view our under-18s guidance) |
You may need to meet additional requirements to study the International Foundation Year. Please refer to the progression degree lists on the International Foundation Programme pages for the latest and up-to-date information.
| Your country | |
| Australia | Completion of year 11 with equivalent grades to the GCSE/IGCSE requirements as below - (min. 70% achieved including relevant subjects) |
| Bangladesh | High School Certificate/ Alim with grade average of 65%, GPA 3.75/5.00 |
| Canada | Completion of year 11 (70%+) in 5 x subjects including relevant subjects |
| China | SH2 : 80% average including relevant subjects, and a minimum of 5 academic subjects or SH3: 75% average including relevant subjects, and a minimum of 4 academic subjects |
| Egypt | Certificate of General Secondary Education with average grade average of 80% |
| Hong Kong | Form 5: 40% from top schools or 50% from all other schools. HKDSE with 3 subjects at level 322 |
| India | Completion of Year 11 70% inc. 70% in relevant subjects or Year 12 (HSC) 55% , with minimum 50% in relevant subjects |
| Indonesia | SMU 3/Sikolah Menegah at grade 7.0 or above or SMU 2 at an average of 7.5 including relevant subjects |
| Iran | Transcript of High School Diploma Theoretical stream (3 years) required Min. overall GPA requirement is 16 including relevant subjects |
| Japan | Kotogakko (Year 12) with grade average of 3.0. Grade 4 in Maths A or grade 3 from Maths 2 required |
| Jordan | Tawjihi with average of 75% including relevant subjects, no lower than 70% in these subjects |
| Kazakhstan | Diploma of Completed Secondary Education (grade XI) with average grade 4.0 |
| Korea | SH3: 5th Grade average in rank, with at least 6th grade in relevant subjects SH2: 4th Grade average in rank with at least 5th grade in relevant subjects or High School Diploma 70% |
| Kuwait | Tawjihi with average of 90% including relevant subjects, no lower than 75% in these subjects |
| Libya | Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80% including relevant subjects, no lower than 70% in these subjects |
| Macau | O Levels: Grade B in 5 relevant subjects including English Completion of Form 5 or Senior Middle 2 65% from top schools and 75% from other schools Completion of Senior Middle 3 -65% |
| Malaysia | UEC with a minimum of 5 grade Bs in relevant academic subjects including English and Mathematics. SPM school: Form 5 - A-B grades in 5 academic subject |
| Mexico | Bachillerato at a average of 70% and above |
| Morocco | Diplôme du Baccalauréat with grade average of 14 |
| Nigeria | West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate with B grade average |
| Pakistan | HSC grades with 60% overall |
| Qatar | Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 80% in relevant subjects |
| Russia | Certificate of Secondary Education (grade XI) with average grade 4 |
| Saudi Arabia | Tawjihi with average of 90% |
| Singapore | 5 A-C grades O Level , inclduing Maths and English |
| Taiwan | Senior High School Year 3 pass with an average grade of 65% and 60% in relevant subjects or SH2 with 75% |
| Thailand | MAW 6 with average GPA 2.0 in relevant subjects including Maths and Sciences or successful completion of MAW 5 with GPA 2.5 |
| Turkey | Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) - 65% overall with minimum 60% in relevant subjects |
| UAE | Tawjihi with average of 80% including relevant subjects, no lower than 70% in these subjects |
| Ukraine | Complete General Secondary Education – with minimum GPA 8 on 12 point scale |
| USA | High school diploma Min GPA 3.0 (80%) with min.77% GPA 2.77 in relevant subjects |
| Vietnam | Successful completion of Year 12 with average GPA 7.0 or Year 11 GPA 7.5 |
Pre-Masters (postgraduate pathway)
Admission requirements for the Pre-Masters are listed below. If you don't meet the English level below, you can study one or two terms of English language preparation first.
| Academic | Recognised degree – must be in related field for some subjects |
| English Language | 2 semesters: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in all skills), or equivalent 1.5 semester: Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in all skills), or equivalent |
| Age | 21+ |
| Your country | Academic qualification(s) you need to have |
| Australia | Completion of degree with overall Credit, GPA 4+ on 7 point scale, 60-65% (depending on institution's grading scale) |
| Bangladesh | 4 year Bachelors degree with grade average of 55% |
| Canada | Degree with GPA 6 on a 9 point scale/ 8 on a 12 scale/ 2.4 on a 4 scale OR 65% |
| China | 4 year full time studies Bachelor degree average 70% / 4 year full times studies Undergraduate Graduation Certificate 80% /3 year full time studies Higher Education Diploma average 80% |
| Egypt | Bachelor degree with average grade 65% |
| Hong Kong | Ordinary degree |
| India | Bachelors degree with grade average of 50% |
| Indonesia | Bachelors degree with grade average of 2.5 on the 4.0 scale |
| Iran | License/Karashansi with grade 12/pass |
| Japan | Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.5/grade average of 60% |
| Jordan | Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.5/grade average of 60% |
| Kazakhstan | Bakalavar with minimum grade 3 |
| Korea | Bachelor’s degree with grade average 70%+. Grade C or of 2.0 on the 4.5 scale or 2.0 on the 4.3 scale |
| Kuwait | Bachelors degree with GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale |
| Libya | Bachelors degree with grade average of 60% |
| Macau | Recognised first degree (honours/ordinary) GPA 2.5 or HND, Honours Diploma, Associate Degree, Professional Diploma in a related subject Area with GPA 3 or higher |
| Malaysia | Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.0+ or 60% |
| Morocco | Bachelor degree with 80%/Grade B/GPA 3.2 |
| Nigeria | Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.5 on the 4.0 scale |
| Pakistan | 3 year Bachelor Honours degree with grade average of 60%; 4 year Bachelors degree with grade average of 55% |
| Qatar | Bachelors degree GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale |
| Russia | Bakalavar with minimum grade 3 |
| Saudi Arabia | Bachelors degree GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale |
| Singapore | Bachelor degree or Advanced Diplomas from some Private institutions |
| Taiwan | Bachelor degree at GPA 2.0 or 60% |
| Thailand | Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.0+ or 60% |
| Turkey | Bachelors degree (Lisans) with GPA 2.5 |
| UAE | Bachelors degree GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale |
| Ukraine | Bachelor’s Diploma with good grade or Specialist Diploma/Dyplom Bakalavra with minimum average grade 3 |
| USA | Bachelors degree GPA 2.4 on a 4 point scale |
| Vietnam | Bachelors degree with overall grade 6 or GPA 2.0+ |
English language courses
Find admission requirements for the English language preparation courses listed below.
English language preparation - for the International Foundation Year
| English language | Two-term programme: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.0 (with 4.0 in all skills), or equivalent One-term programme: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.5 (with 4.5 in all skills), or equivalent |
| Academic | Students need to have completed the relevant academic qualifications for the International Foundation Year |
English for Pre-Masters - for the Pre-Masters programme
| English language | Two-term programme: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.5 (with no lower than 4.5 in all skills), or equivalent One-term programme: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 in all skills), or equivalent |
| Academic | Students need to have completed the relevant academic qualifications for the Pre-Masters course |
Applying with a Student visa
If you need a visa to study in the UK, you may be asked for different or additional English language requirements and English tests. If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English. Find out everything you need to know about visas for studying in the UK.
Programmes
Programmes
English language courses
Improve your English language skills before starting your pathway programme with one of our English language courses. These are designed to help you reach the level needed to start either the International Foundation Year or Pre-Masters.
Fees
Find tuition fees for all International College programmes, as well as information on insurance and taxi transfers from the airport.
