English Language Requirements

Most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes require IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, or equivalent. Programmes with professional accreditation including nursing, law and journalism typically require IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0.

We accept PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, LanguageCert and some school-leaving qualifications taught entirely in English. Scores must be less than two years old at programme start unless you have completed subsequent study in English.

Equivalent PTE Academic scores are 59 for standard programmes and 62 for higher requirements. TOEFL iBT equivalents are 80 and 88 respectively. Specific equivalencies are published on the international admissions website and reviewed annually against UKVI standards where applicable.

Students who completed a UK degree or studied in majority-English-speaking countries may be exempt—contact international@luma.ac.uk with evidence for assessment.

If you narrowly miss language requirements, our partner language centre offers pre-sessional courses of six, twelve or eighteen weeks depending on your current IELTS score. Successful completion at the required level satisfies language conditions without retaking IELTS.

Pre-sessional students receive accommodation guarantees and integrated Welcome Week activities. Apply through the language centre when you receive your academic offer with language condition.

Academic English support continues throughout your degree through workshops on academic writing, presentation skills and discipline-specific vocabulary. The library provides access to language learning software and one-to-one tutorials with learning developers.

Participation in seminars and group work develops fluency; personal tutors can signpost additional support if language barriers affect academic progress.