English Language Requirements
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English Language
The language of study at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) is English. All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence that their English language level meets the entrance requirements for their chosen programme.
If you require a student visa to study in the UK, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) require a minimum of B2 standard on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, listening). Equivalent to an IELTS overall score of 5.5 with 5.5 in every component. RCS is required to obtain evidence of your English language ability before we can sponsor your visa application. You do not need to provide this at the point of application or audition but please ensure you leave yourself enough time to meet the required English language level. RCS reserves the right to ask for additional evidence if there are any concerns over your English language level.
The majority of RCS programmes have higher English language requirements than the UKVI required level (CEFR level B2) and you will also need to meet these higher requirements. Listed below are the tests we accept and the minimum scores needed for each programme.
The language tests listed below are valid if they have been taken within two years of the start date of your chosen programme. We will verify the scores you declare with the test provider.
Accepted English Language Tests:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI IELTS Academic (IELTS One Skill retake accepted)
- TOEFL iBT (TOEFL iBT home edition is not accepted)
- Pearson PTE Academic or PTE Academic UKVI (PTE Academic online is not accepted)
- Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Requirements by Degree Programme
|
Undergraduate Programmes |
Minimum Scores Required | |||
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Cambridge | |
|
5.5 with no component below 5.5 | Overall score of 72, with minimum scores of: Reading-18, Listening-17, Speaking-20, Writing-17 | Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing) | Overall score of 162 with a minimum of 162 in all components |
|
6.0 with no component below 5.5 | Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17 | Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing) | Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components |
|
6.5 with no component below 5.5
|
Overall score of 88, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17 | Overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing) | Overall score of 176 with a minimum of 162 in all components |
|
7.5 with a score of 7.5 in speaking and no component below 5.5 | Overall score of 102, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -27, Writing -17 | Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in speaking and 59 in all other components (reading, listening, writing) | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 |
| Postgraduate Programmes | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Cambridge |
|
6.0 with no component below 5.5 | Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17 | Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing) | Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components |
|
7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 in speaking and no component below 6.5 | Overall score of 94, with minimum component scores of: Reading – 19, Listening – 20, Speaking – 23, Writing – 24 | Overall score of 66 with a minimum of 66 in speaking and no component below 62 | Overall score of 185 with a minimum of 185 in speaking and no component below 176 |
|
7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking and no component below 5.5 | Overall score of 102, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -27, Writing -17 | Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in speaking and 59 in all other components (reading, listening, writing) | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 |
| Research Programmes | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Pearson | Cambridge |
|
7.0 with no component below 5.5 | Overall score of 95, with minimum component scores of Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17 | Overall score of 66 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing) | Overall score of 185 with a minimum of 162 in all components |
Exemptions
You do not need to provide an English language test if you have/are one of the following:
- Are from a majority English speaking country as defined by the home office.
- A degree from a university taught in a majority English speaking country where the language of instruction was English. Students must have completed at least their final two years of study in the majority English speaking country and must have graduated within the last 4 years.
- A GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18.
Other Accepted Qualifications:
The qualifications listed below are valid where they are taken no more than five years before the start date of your chosen programme of study.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma:
- English A: SL 5 or HL 5
- English B: SL 5 or HL 5
For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above:
- English A: SL 6 or HL 6
- English B: SL 7 or HL 6
iGCSE:
First Language English at grade C or English as a Second Language at grade B
For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: First Language English Grade B. English as a Second Language is not accepted
A-Level/AS-Level
English Language; English Language and Literature; or English Literature at grade C
For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: English Language; English Language and Literature; or English Literature at grade B
HKDSE
English: Grade 4 or above with grade 4 or above in each component
For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: Grade 5 or above with grade 5 or above in each component
Singapore Cambridge GCE
O level English: C6 or above
For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: B3 or above
Pre-sessional English Programmes
If you are not quite at the level required for your programme, you can consider doing a pre-sessional English programme. We can only accept pre-sessional programmes from a BALEAP accredited institution.
As well as the over 30 accredited BALEAP institutions in the UK there are the following in-country pre-sessional programmes that we accept:
Non-standard Entry
In exceptional circumstances we can consider applications from individuals whose English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements.
Please note however that students requiring a student visa must meet the minimum UKVI English language levels equivalent to CEFR level B2.
Having satisfied the Audition Panel that they meet the selection criteria and demonstrated that they have the capacity to pursue the proposed course of study, such applicants will be considered through examination of contextualised data provided in accordance with the Non-Standard Entry Policy. The appropriate Head of Department/ Programme will make a case in support of the applicant for consideration by the Directors of the Schools and Convener of the Quality and Standards Committee.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about your English language requirements, please email admissions@rcs.ac.uk
