Comparison of English language test scores

This table compares the total and component scores required from English language qualifications for which entry requirements vary between courses.

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The University of Sheffield will use these comparisons to ascertain whether candidates have met the level required in their conditional offer.

IELTS tests taken at UK government-approved test centres (known as "IELTS for UKVI"), Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) taken in the UK, Pearson Test of English Academic UKVI (PTE Academic) and LanguageCert International ESOL SELT are considered as Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) for visa purposes. These are the only qualifications that can be used in applications for a Student Visa to study a pre-sessional course at the English Language Teaching Centre.

The qualifications listed in the table below are not SELTs. They cannot be used in applications for a Student Visa to study at the ELTC, but can be used in visa applications to study a degree course at the University.

Please be aware that Academic IELTS and Pearson PTE exams are different to IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI exams respectively. However, the Academic IELTS follows the same grading scale as the IELTS for UKVI and the Pearson PTE follows the same grading scale as the PTE Academic UKVI. Please note the Academic IELTS and Pearson PTE are not SELTs, while the IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are. This means that Academic IELTS and Pearson PTE (in-person only) cannot be used to obtain a Student Visa to attend a full-time English course, however they can still be used to obtain a Student Visa for degree courses at the University.

For more information, please see our guidance on the UK government’s English language requirements and the University’s application of this policy:

Secure English Language Tests

* The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
** The Cambridge English Scale applies to the Cambridge Assessment English C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency qualifications

CEFR* Component IELTS TOEFL iBT Pearson PTE Cambridge English Scale**
B1 Listening 4.0 9 36 142
  Reading 4.0 4 36 142
  Speaking 4.0 16 36 142
  Writing 4.0 13 36 142
  Total 4.0 42 36 142
           
  Listening 4.5 12 41 147
  Reading 4.5 9 41 147
  Speaking 4.5 18 41 147
  Writing 4.5 15 41 147
  Total 4.5 54 41 147
           
  Listening 5.0 15 46 154
  Reading 5.0 14 46 154
  Speaking 5.0 19 46 154
  Writing 5.0 16 46 154
  Total 5.0 63 46 154
           
B2 Listening 5.5 17 51 162
  Reading 5.5 18 51 162
  Speaking 5.5 20 51 162
  Writing 5.5 17 51 162
  Total 5.5 72 51 162
           
  Listening 6.0 19 56 169
  Reading 6.0 20 56 169
  Speaking 6.0 22 56 169
  Writing 6.0 19 56 169
  Total 6.0 80 56 169
           
  Listening 6.5 21 61 176
  Reading 6.5 22 61 176
  Speaking 6.5 23 61 176
  Writing 6.5 22 61 176
  Total 6.5 88 61 176
           
C1 Listening 7.0 22 67 185
  Reading 7.0 24 67 185
  Speaking 7.0 25 67 185
  Writing 7.0 24 67 185
  Total 7.0 95 67 185
           
  Listening 7.5 24 72 191
  Reading 7.5 26 72 191
  Speaking 7.5 27 72 191
  Writing 7.5 26 72 191
  Total 7.5 103 72 191
           
  Listening 8.0 26 76 200
  Reading 8.0 28 76 200
  Speaking 8.0 28 76 200
  Writing 8.0 28 76 200
  Total 8.0 110 76 200
           
C2 Listening 8.5 29 80 205
  Reading 8.5 29 80 205
  Speaking 8.5 29 80 205
  Writing 8.5 30 80 205
  Total 8.5 117 80 205