What IELTS score do you need for Birkbeck, University of London?

Nationals of UKVI majority English-speaking countries need no test, and nor do graduates of a degree comparable to RQF 6 from one of those countries, awarded no more than three years before the start date. India, Pakistan and Nigeria are not on the list, and Birkbeck's India page adds no Class 12 or Indian degree waiver.

Two further routes, a year or more of degree study in a majority English-speaking country or 18 months of English-heavy work there, cannot be used by anyone who needs a Student visa. If you previously held a UK visa for a course at RQF 6 or above, you have shown CEFR B2, but because that is below Birkbeck's 6.5 standard your case goes to an admissions tutor, who may still ask for a test.

Birkbeck's combined pre-sessional and in-sessional programme runs for eight weeks in Bloomsbury, four before and four after the start of the autumn term. It is for applicants with IELTS 6.0 and at least 5.5 in each sub-test; 5.5 in every sub-test may be considered depending on the degree. There is no IELTS at the end, and Student visa holders get one integrated CAS for both courses. For 2026 the application deadline was 30 June and offer conditions had to be met by 7 July. Birkbeck's international FAQs add that Student visas cover full-time study only, so its part-time courses are not open to visa students.

For a Student visa, UK Visas and Immigration asks for English at CEFR B2 for degree-level study and B1 below degree level, per gov.uk. At degree level, gov.uk adds, your university can assess your English itself and may ask you to take a different test.

Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Birkbeck programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.