Apply to SRUC | Study requirements for international students

Coming from outside of the UK/EU to study at SRUC requires validation of qualifications already held and proof of competence in spoken and written English.

International entry requirements

Due to the wide range of possible qualifications, potential applicants are advised to contact the Admissions Team with full details of their qualifications.

SRUC uses UK ENIC (formally UK NARIC) to assess overseas qualifications.

Ideally, applicants should arrange for their own letter of comparability through Ecctis’s Statement of Comparability service.

We take each application on a case-by-case basis.

Those speaking English as a second language should sit an IELTS, TEOFL or Cambridge examination prior to application in order to meet the English Language entry requirements of SRUC's courses.

Specific qualifications information

Specific information about qualifications from a range of countries can be found by downloading our International qualifications booklet.

International Qualifications Booklet

Need more help?

Please contact us for any further advice, or if your country or qualification is not listed.

English language requirements

All our teaching, learning materials, and assessments are in English, so competency in written and spoken English must be demonstrated.

If English is not your first language, you must have an accepted English language qualification to secure a place at SRUC.

Find two exceptions to this requirement and additional information on accepted language qualifications below.

Exception 1

If you require a Student Visa to study in the UK, you must provide an English language certificate, unless you are from one of the exempted countries deemed majority English speaking: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America.

Exception 2

You do not have to confirm English language competence if you have completed an academic qualification equivalent to a UK degree in any of the countries listed above (except for Canada), plus Ireland and the UK. However, if you plan to do a course below degree level, you must include an original document from Ecctis (formally UK NARIC) that confirms the assessment of your academic qualification equivalency.

ECCTIS

Accepted language qualifications

SRUC prefers the Academic IELTS English Exam as proof of English language level. Please note that English language tests need to have been taken no more than two years prior to your visa application date. The required level of English language ability for each level of study is as follows:

For postgraduate programmes

IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component (for courses taught in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh) IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component (for MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh) IELTS 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (for Distance Learning courses)

For undergraduate programmes

For entry onto undergraduate degree courses, an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component is required.

For HNC or HND courses

For entry to HNC/HND courses: IELTS 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.0 in each component. If you need a Student Visa to study with us, you will need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a UKVI approved centre.

SELT

College-level courses

For college-level courses (such as NC), an IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum score of 5.0 in each component is required. If you need a Student Visa to study with us, you will need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a UKVI approved centre.

SELT

Other acceptable English language qualifications

SRUC also accepts other English language qualifications, such as the following below, although IELTS (SELT) is necessary if you also require a Student Visa to study.

Achieve CEFR Level C1
CPE (Cambridge Proficiency Exam) - 176
CAE (Cambridge Advanced Exam) - 176
PTE Academic 58
GCSE/iGCSE English (first language) Grade C or above; (second language) Grade B or above
International Baccalaureate English - 4 in Higher level, 5 in Standard level
TOEFL (internet based) 93
Trinity ISE Trinity Integrated Skills in English III or IV

Achieve CEFR Level B2
CAE (Cambridge Advanced Exam) – 169
CPE (Cambridge Proficiency Exam) – 169
FCE (First Certificate in English) Grade A
PTE Academic 50
GCSE/iGCSE English (first language) Grade C or above; (second language) Grade B or above
International Baccalaureate English – 4 in Higher level, 5 in Standard level
TOEFL (internet-based) 78
Trinity ISE Trinity Integrated Skills in English II or above

If you need a Student Visa to study with us, you will need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a UKVI approved centre.

Achieve CEFR Level B2
FCE (First Certificate in English) Grade C
PTE Academic 50
TOEFL (internet-based) 59
Trinity ISE Trinity Integrated Skills in English II

If you need a Student Visa to study with us, you will need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a UKVI approved centre.

Visas & immigration

Visa and immigration policies can seem a little daunting at first. But not to worry, we've got all the guidance you need to start your very own Scotland adventure!

International student support

Studying in a foreign country means there will be some different customs and culture; or even a lot. With a little preparation and knowledge this can be an exciting opportunity to learn and grow and be part of something new!

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