International College

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 September 2021, 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 September 2021.

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
  • Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
  • Language Cert SELT

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
  • IELTS Indicator
  • Pearson PTE Academic
  • Language Cert International ESOL
  • TOEFL iBT/iBT Home addition
  • Cambridge ESOL
  • Duolingo
  • Linguaskill

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
  • Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
  • Language Cert SELT

Alternative tests accepted include:

  • Pearson PTE Academic
  • IELTS Indicator
  • IELTS Academic
  • LanguageCert International ESOL
  • TOEFL iBT
  • Cambridge ESOL
  • Duolingo
  • Linguaskill

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.

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 will need to meet additional requirements to study the International Foundation Year if you are looking to progress to one of the degrees listed below.  

Progression degree Additional entry requirements
Architecture Submit a portfolio of work with your application to the College. Download flyer for more information.
Biochemistry 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills) 		1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Biochemistry and Genetics 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Biochemistry and Microbiology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Biology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Biomedical Science 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Dental Surgery Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (with no lower than 5.0 in all skills)
Genetics 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Genetics and Microbiology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Journalism 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Medical Biochemistry 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Medical Genetics 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Medical Microbiology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Microbiology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Molecular Biology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills)		 1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Psychology 2 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 overall (5.0 in writing, 4.0 in other skills) 		1.5 semester:
Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.5 (min. 5.0 in all skills)
Your country Academic qualification(s) you need
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
Academic qualification Grade
GCSE / IGCSE / O Level 5 subjects inc relevant subjects, grades 6 (B) or above
IB Diploma Programme 26 points (IB Certificate accepted, 26 points) (Subject pass level is 3)
A levels 2 passes at grade C 64 points or 3 passes at grade D 72 points
AS levels 32 points (only A-C grades) (excluding native language)

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. 

Find out more about starting your studies or check the latest COVID-19 information.