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With a range of esteemed educational institutions, the UK has cemented its reputation as a top study destination choice for those looking to further their studies. On top of that, the vibrant country also offers exciting experiences and unique landmarks for those looking to enjoy weekends off campus. Year after year, many students from all over the world seek out and choose to study in the UK. If you’re planning to take this route, you should know that UK universities require international students to prove their proficiency in the English language through recognised systems like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. The test will also come in handy if you’re looking to work or live in the UK. Make sure you prepare accordingly to achieve the minimum IELTS score for UK universities.

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Minimum IELTS scores for UK universities

To successfully study in the UK, you’ll be required to obtain a student visa, which you can only get if you meet the English proficiency requirements set by your education institution.

Here are the minimum IELTS requirements for UK.

Complete University Guide (CUG) rankings in 2024

The CUG university rankings is an independent rankings provider for UK universities. It offers course and expert advice for students who want to learn more about studying in the country. Explore the list of top universities as per CUG rankings and minimum IELTS score for UK for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Rank

University

IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programs)

IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programs)

1

University of Cambridge

7.0

7.0

2

University of Oxford

7.5

7.0

3

London School of Economics and Political Science

7.0

7.0

4

University of St Andrews

6.5

7.0

5

University of Bath

6.5

6.5

6

Imperial College London

6.5

6.5

7

Loughborough University

6.5

6.5

8

Durham University

6.5

6.5

9

UCL (University College London)

6.5

6.5

10

Lancaster University

6.5

6.5

11

University of Warwick

6.0

6.5

12

University of Edinburgh

6.5

6.5

13

University of Surrey

6.5

6.5

14

University of Birmingham

6.0

6.5

15

University of Exeter

6.0

6.0

16

University of Bristol

6.0

6.0

17=

University of Southampton

6.5

6.5

17=

University of York

6.5

6.5

19

University of Manchester

6.0

6.0

20

University of Sheffield

6.0

6.5

Times Higher Education world university rankings in 2024

One of the world’s most established metrics, the Times Higher Education world rankings assesses universities based on the following five key performance indicators: teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook and industry income. Discover the top universities according to Times Higher Education world rankings and the minimum IELTS score for UK universities.

Rank

University

Global rank

IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programs)

IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programs)

1

University of Oxford

1

7.5

7.0

2

University of Cambridge

5

7.0

7.0

3

Imperial College London

8

6.5

6.5

4

UCL (University College London)

22

6.5

6.5

5

University of Edinburgh

30

6.5

6.5

6

King’s College London

38

6.5

6.5

7

London School of Economics and Political Science

46

7.0

7.0

8

University of Manchester

51

6.0

6.0

9

University of Bristol

81

6.0

6.0

10

University of Glasgow

87

6.5

6.5

11

University of Southampton

97

6.5

6.5

12

University of Birmingham

101

6.0

6.5

13

University of Sheffield

105

6.0

6.5

14

University of Warwick

106

6.0

6.5

15

University of Leeds

129

6.0

6.5

16

University of Nottingham

130

6.5

6.5

17

Queen Mary University of London

135

6.0

6.5

18

University of York

147

6.5

6.5

19

Lancaster University

155

6.5

6.5

20=

University of Liverpool

168=

6.0

6.5

20=

Newcastle University

168=

6.5

6.5

QS World University rankings in 2024

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings is also another global premier ranking system which rates universities by institution and subject through academic reputation, citation, faculty to student ratio, employer, international and sustainability indicators. Find the top ranking UK universities as per QS World University rankings and the minimum IELTS score requirements for UK.

Rank

University

Global rank

IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programs)

IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programs)

1

University of Cambridge

2

7.0

7.0

2

University of Oxford

3

7.5

7.0

3

Imperial College London

6

6.5

6.5

4

UCL (University College London)

9

6.5

6.5

5

University of Edinburgh

22

6.5

6.5

6

University of Manchester

32

6.0

6.0

7

King’s College London

40

6.5

6.5

8

London School of Economics and Political Science

45

7.0

7.0

9

University of Bristol

55

6.0

6.0

10

University of Warwick

67

6.0

6.5

11

University of Leeds

75

6.0

6.5

12

University of Glasgow

76

6.5

6.5

13

Durham University

78

6.5

6.5

14

University of Southampton

81

6.5

6.5

15

University of Birmingham

84

6.0

6.5

16

University of St Andrews

95

6.5

7.0

17

University of Nottingham

100

6.5

6.5

18

University of Sheffield

104

6.0

6.5

19

Newcastle University

110

6.5

6.5

20

Lancaster University

125

6.5

6.5

Further your studies in the UK by taking IDP IELTS

Are you ready to take the plunge and pursue higher education in the UK?

If so, take the next step with IELTS by IDP India!

As a joint owner of the IELTS test, IDP has decades of experience in helping students to prepare for and take the test, and we can help you too.

You’ll gain all the benefits at your fingertips, from a wealth of official IELTS preparation resources to convenient test locations, when you download the IELTS by IDP app .

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