Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education and Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination
Find information about the minimum HKDSE or HKCEE scores you'll need to meet the English language requirements for the University of Plymouth and UPIC
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us you must have a suitable English language qualification. The tables below show the minimum English language requirements for standard courses at RQF 6 (degree level) and above.
Some courses have English language requirements that are higher than those shown below; please check the relevant course for details.
What if I don't meet the requirements?
If you don't think you will be able to meet these requirements, you may be able to join a pre-sessional English language course offered by our English Language Centre. Please note that to study a pre-sessional English language course UKVI require Student (formerly Tier 4) visa holders to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at a UKVI approved test centre (details of approved SELTs).
University of Plymouth requirement – Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education (HKDSE)
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | Minimum component scores |
| 4 at category A | 4 at category A | Minimum score of 3 in all four components |
UPIC requirement – Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education (HKDSE)
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | Minimum component scores |
| 3 at category A (4 for integrated programmes) |
4 at category A | Minimum score of 3 in all four components |
University of Plymouth requirement – Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), post 2007 (except syllabus A)
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | Minimum component scores |
| 3 | IELTS required as above | Minimum score of 3 in all four components |
UPIC requirement – Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), post 2007 (except syllabus A)
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | Minimum component scores |
| 3 | IELTS required as above | 2 in all four components (3 in all four components for integrated programmes) |
Notes
1. Your test scores must be deemed valid. If your test results are too old to be valid (as per UKVI and University requirements), you may be required to re-take a relevant test.
2. English language qualifications will be verified with the awarding body where possible. If verification is not possible you may be asked to supply original documents or an alternative English language qualification if we have concerns about the documentation provided.
3. Your English language ability will be assessed from your most recent English language test or qualification, older tests will be disregarded even if they show a higher score.
4. This table represents the current English language requirements for degree level study at University of Plymouth and University of Plymouth International College (UPIC). It incorporates UKVI (Home Office) minimum English Language scores and requirement where appropriate, and is accurate at the time of publication (December 2018) but may be subject to change at any time.
5. Other qualifications may be considered – please ask when you apply.
6. This table only shows minimum requirements for entry. Some programmes will have higher English language requirements.
7. Applicants to postgraduate programmes who hold a first degree (bachelor's degree) from a majority English language speaking country (as defined by UKVI at the time of application) won't usually be required to meet other postgraduate English language requirements as listed above. This will be confirmed as part of your application process.
Further guidance on English language requirements
On our Further guidance on English language requirements page you will find a complete list of notes and clarifications across all qualifications for applying to the University of Plymouth.
The validity period of qualifications accepted
Degrees awarded in the UK or in majority English language speaking countries (as defined by UKVI) will be accepted as meeting our standard English language entry requirements. Normally, these should have been awarded no more than three years prior to your course start date at Plymouth.
IELTS academic tests (SELTS, taken at UKVI approved test centres) should have been taken within two yearsof the date your CAS is issued for studies at Plymouth. This is a UKVI requirement.
