Entry requirements

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Postgraduate entry requirements for Royal Holloway International Study Centre

To join us at the International Study Centre, you have to meet certain academic and English language requirements.

Our Pre-Masters Programme course is available to students who are:

at least 20 years old when they join us
non-UK nationals.

If you do not meet the English language requirements for your chosen pathway, you can improve your skills with our English language support course, English for Pre-Masters.

For courses starting in September 2021, you can choose how you study so you can either join us on campus or start your studies virtually from home and come to campus at a later date. Find out more here.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are now able to accept a wider range of English tests for entry in September 2021.

If you are applying for the Pre-Masters

You can start your studies in September 2021 with either a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), or an accepted alternative equivalent assessment, provided you meet all the programme entry requirements.

The test results must have been achieved in the past 24 months and meet the minimum English equivalency score for your chosen programme.

This applies if you:

come to campus, or
start your studies virtually and join us on campus at a later date.

UKVI-approved SELTS include:

IELTS Academic for UKVI
Trinity Integrated Skills in English
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
Language Cert SELT

Alternative tests accepted include:

Study Group is permitted to assess students’ suitability for entry onto programmes which are degree level and above under the registration for the UK Office for Students. You are therefore not required to have a UKVI SELT to obtain a Student Visa when you come to campus.

If you begin your course virtually and transfer to the UK to complete your programme, you may be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) based on the Academic English Skills module assessments (as part of your Pre-Masters).

A CAS for a Student Visa will only be issued if you have met the minimum language requirement of CEFR B2 in all skills, and the academic entry requirements for your chosen programme.

If you do not meet the English language requirements for your pathway programme, you can join an English language preparation course first.

To progress to your undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you will be required to successfully complete your pathway programme and achieve the required grades.

Pre-Masters Programme

The Pre-Masters Programme will prepare students to undertake a postgraduate degree - read about the academic and language requirements for this course.

Entry requirements

Academic

Students will need to have successfully completed an appropriate first qualification in their resident country.

English language

Academic qualification	Grade
Academic IELTS for UKVI*	5.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)

*If you do not need a Student visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English. The English language entry requirements stated are for information regarding entry to the course. If you require a UK visa to study, depending on the type of visa you need, the English language requirements and valid English tests to satisfy the UK visa criteria may differ.

Country specific entry requirements

Your country	Academic qualification(s) you need
Bangladesh	Recognised first degree - 3 year undergraduate degree with overall of 50% (Hons) 3 Year Undergrad (Regular Pass) 60%, 4 Year Undergraduate (Any) 55%
China	4 year full time studies Bachelor degree average 65% / 4 year full times studies Undergraduate Graduation Certificate 70% /3 year full time studies Higher Education Diploma average 70%
Egypt	Successful completion of Bachelor degree with average grade 65%
Ghana	Recognised general ordinary Bachelors degree
Hong Kong	First degree (honours/ordinary) OR HND, Honours Diploma, Associate Degree, Professional Diploma all in a related subject area with GPA 2.5 +
India	Recognised first degree - 3 year undergraduate degree with overall of 45% (Hons) and 50% (Regular Pass), 4 Year Undergraduate (Any) 45%,
Indonesia	Recognised first degree or D4 Diploma with grades A4-B3
Japan	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.5/grade average of 60%
Jordan	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.5/grade average of 60%
Kazakhstan	Successful completion of Bakalavr with minimum grade 3
Korea	Bachelor’s degree with grade average 70%+. Grade C or of 2.0 on the 4.5 scale or 2.0 on the 4.3 scale
Kuwait	Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
Macau	Recognised first degree (honours/ordinary) GPA 2.3 or HND, Honours Diploma, Associate Degree, Professional Diploma in a related subject Area with GPA 3 or higher
Malaysia	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.0+ or 60%
Nigeria	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.4 on the 4.0 scale
Pakistan	Recognised first degree - 3 year undergraduate degree with overall of 50% (Hons) and 55% (Regular Pass), 4 Year Undergraduate (Any) 50%
Qatar	Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
Russia	Min. GPA 3.3 (Good) in either Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma (4/5 years )
Saudi Arabia	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
Singapore	Pass from a recognised first degree or Advanced Diploma or Singapore Diploma
Taiwan	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with grade average of 60% or GPA 2.0+
Thailand	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with GPA of 2.0
Turkey	Successful completion of Bachelors degree (Lisans) with GPA 2.1
UAE	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
Ukraine	Successful completion of Bachelor’s Diploma with good grade; Successful completion of Specialist Diploma or Dyplom Bakalavra with minimum average grade 3
USA	Successful completion of degree GPA 2.2 on a 4 point scale
Vietnam	Successful completion of Bachelors degree with overall grade 6 or GPA 2.0+

Other international qualifications

UK Degrees - 2:2 degree or above, (3rd Class to be to be considered on a case by case basis)

English language tuition courses

Our programmes can be taken with an additional course of English preparation - find out what academic requirements our English language programmes require.

English for Pre-Masters

Entry requirements

Academic

Students normally need to have a minimum of 12 years of schooling with good grades.

English language

Academic qualification		Grade
Academic IELTS for UKVI*	1 term	5.0 (min 5.0 in all components)
Academic IELTS for UKVI*	2 term	4.5 (min 4.5 in all components)

Secure English Language Test

If you are applying to study in the UK under the Student visa route, it may be necessary for you to submit a Secure English Language Test as part of your visa application.

Check the UK government website for guidance and information about valid test providers and approved test centre locations for tests taken on or after 6 April 2015. To find out if you are exempt from the Secure English Language Test requirement and to find out about acceptable English language tests, please contact us.