UHI minimums by level
From UHI's approved English language qualifications page. All tests are valid for two years, and UHI verifies IELTS, PTE and OET results online; send TOEFL scores with institution code B460. Some programmes ask for more. Optometry, for non-UK students, needs IELTS 7 with 7 in speaking and at least 6 in the other sections. Duolingo is not on the list.
| Test | HNC/HND | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5, no element below 5.0 | 6.0, no element below 5.5 | 6.5, no element below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 50 | 59, 59 in each | 62, 55 in each |
| TOEFL iBT from 21 Jan 2026 | 3.5; R3 L2.5 S2.5 W2.5 | 4; R3.5 L3 S3 W3 | 4.5; R3.5 L3.5 S3.5 W4 |
| TOEFL iBT before 21 Jan 2026 | 69, 17 in each | 78, 18 in each | 88, 20 in each |
| LanguageCert Academic (incl. online) | 60, 55 in each | 65, 60 in each | 70, 65 in each |
| Oxford ELLT | 5, 5 in each | 6, 6 in each | 7, 6 in each |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 162, 158 in each | 169, 162 in each | 176, 162 in each |
| OET (nursing only) | Not listed | 250–290, no element below 200–240 | Not listed |
Student visa rules: any IELTS centre for degrees, UKVI for HNC/HND
UHI's Student Route page says that for bachelor's and postgraduate programmes it accepts IELTS Academic taken at any test centre, so you do not need a UKVI approved centre. HNC and HND courses are below degree level and need IELTS for UKVI (Academic) at 5.5 with no element below 5.0, or LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 at 60 with no element below 55, taken at a UKVI approved centre.
If you are from, or studied in, a UKVI majority English-speaking country you may not need to prove your English for visa purposes. UHI's pages read for this guide do not describe a Class 12 or medium of instruction waiver for Indian applicants.
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 UHI programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
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Frequently asked questions
Does UHI accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 59 with 59 in each component for undergraduate entry, 62 with 55 for postgraduate, and 50 for HNC/HND, verified online.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI for UHI?+
Not for a degree. UHI accepts IELTS Academic from any test centre for bachelor's and postgraduate programmes. HNC and HND applicants on a Student visa need IELTS for UKVI.
Does UHI accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not on UHI's list of approved English tests.
What IELTS does UHI need for a master's?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no element below 6.0, though some programmes set a higher level.
Keep reading
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- IELTS for UKVI vs IELTS Academic
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Verified against the linked official sources on 11 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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