International Baccalaureate
Find information about the minimum IB level you'll need to meet the English language requirements for 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).
International Baccalaureate (IB) (Diploma, studied in English)
University of Plymouth requirement
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | |
| Higher Level 4 / Standard Level 5 | Higher Level 4 / Standard Level 5 |
UPIC requirement
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | |
| Higher Level 3 Standard Level 4 (4 Higher Level and 5 Standard Level integrated programmes) |
Higher Level 4 Standard Level 5 |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP)
University of Plymouth requirement
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | |
| English A or English Language & Literature - 3 | English A or English Language & Literature - 3 |
UPIC requirement
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | |
| English A or English Language & Literature - 3 | English A or English Language & Literature - 3 |
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 years of the date your CAS is issued for studies at Plymouth. This is a UKVI requirement.
