University policy on IELTS

The University accepts a number of international language qualifications as evidence of English language competence. (A comprehensive list is given at www.liv.ac.uk/international/countries/index.htm.)  Probably the best-known of these tests are the IELTS (International English Language Testing System, see section 2) and the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language, see section 3). 

            The University’s policy on entry requirements is as follows:-

General IELTS requirements for UG students are:-

6.0 for engineering and science subject areas

6.5 for arts, humanities and social science subject areas

7.0 to 7.5 for clinical subjects

General IELTS requirements for PGT/PGR students are:-

6.0-6.5 for engineering subject areas

6.5 for arts, humanities, science and social science subject areas

7.0 to 7.5 for clinical subjects

However, as more linguistically demanding programmes may require higher scores, and lower ones may be appropriate for some programmes, any variations from the general requirements should be considered by Faculties on a case by case basis, the Faculties then submitting final recommendations and their rationale to Academic standards Sub-Committee.

If applicants have not met the required level of English language, non-clinical departments may make an offer conditional on the applicant

·          meeting the required score in one of the recognised international tests, or

·          successfully completing a summer pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes programme in the University’s English Language Unit (see section 5).

Students on the pre-sessional EAP programme are assessed internally, and are not required to retake an external language test such as IELTS at the end of the course.  If a student’s English level is assessed to be insufficient at the end of the programme, he or she is required to attend in-sessional English language support classes.