English Language Requirements
The below table contains a full list of all English language qualifications the RVC accepts as alternatives to IELTS.
Please note if you have taken IELTS previously, we will accept IELTS One Skill Retake, if the scores achieved meet our English language requirements. IELTS One Skill Retake allows test takers to reattempt one of the four skills from each complete IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking without the need to take a complete IELTS test again. It is only available in selected test centres in some countries - so please check locally for availability.
All students who have not taken IELTS must demonstrate they meet our English language requirements through one of the below qualifications before they can enrol with the RVC, with the exception of those have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in a country listed as exempt by the UKVI. All applicants must fulfill our English language requirements by 31st July for a September start.
Students from European countries whose national qualifications include acceptable English language qualifications will be able to see this in the entry requirements for their country.
| Where IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component is required | Where IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each component is required | |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) | 176 overall and no less than 169 in each section | 185 overall and no less than 176 in each section |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English) | 176 overall and no less than 169 in each section | 185 overall and no less than 176 in each section |
| Cambridge International Exams (CIE) O Level | Grade B in English Language | Grade B in English Language |
| European Baccalaureate | English L1 grade 7.0 | English L1 grade 7.0 |
| Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB) Anglais | Grade 14 in English | Grade 14 in English |
| GCSE English Language | Grade B | Grade B |
| HKDSE (Hong Kong) | Grade 4 in English | Grade 5 in English |
| IGCSE English Language (as a first language only) | Grade B with a B in each component (reading, writing, speaking, listening) | Grade B with a B in each component (reading, writing, speaking, listening) |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | O3 or Ordinary Level grade B | O3 or Ordinary Level grade B |
| International Baccalaureate Higher Level |
HL English A at grade 4 HL English B at grade 5 |
HL English A at grade 4 HL English B at grade 5 |
| International Baccalaureate Standard Level |
SL English A Lang-Lit or Lit at grade 5 SL English B at grade 6 |
SL English A Lang-Lit or Lit at grade 5 SL English B at grade 6 |
| Matric (South Africa) | Grade 6 in English Home Language | Grade 6 in English Home Language |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) | Overall score of at least 65 with no less than 59 in each section | Overall score of at least 69 with no less than 62 in each section |
| Scottish qualifications | National 5 grade B in English, or Intermediate 2 or Standard Credit grade 2 | National 5 grade B in English, or Intermediate 2 or Standard Credit grade 2 |
| SIPCAL (Singapore) | Grade B in Secondary 4 IP Language Arts/English Language | Grade B in Secondary 4 IP Language Arts/English Language |
| STPM (Malaysia) | Grade B in English | Grade B in English |
| TOEFL (iBT test only) | Overall score of at least 93 with no section below 23 | Overall score of at least 101 with no section below 23 |