ANNEX A
Southampton Solent University: language entry criteria for admissions to courses
1.
This Annex states the English language entry requirements for admission to University courses.
2.
Non-EAA students must also meet the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) English language proficiency requirements for visa purposes.
Applicants are advised that:
3.

For degree level courses at NQF 6 and above, UKBA require CEFR B2 equivalent (IELTS 5.5) in all components (reading, listening,
writing and speaking). As a Highly Trusted Sponsor, we are able to use our own methods of assessment to evidence language
proficiency. This includes our own internal language test.

For sub-degree courses UKBA require CEFR B1 equivalent (IELTS 4.0) in all four components, This must be evidenced via a UKBA
Secure English Language Test (SELT), as specified in the most up to date list on the UKBA website. Tests used must be within their
validity date (issued within 2 years of the date of the Tier 4 application). UKBA SELT information is available via:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/45-new-list-of-english-language

All non-specified courses/awards below NQF 3-5 require minimum language entry at B1 in all four components e.g.:
IELTS: 4.0 in all elements
TOEFL: R – 8 S – 19 L - 13 W – 17
The Annex indicates the equivalent UKBA language proficiency requirements in each of the language tests stated.
Page 1
ANNEX A
International
Foundation Year
(Attached to
degree - register
as a 4 year
course)
International
Foundation
Certificate (stand
alone foundation)
SSU
HND/Foundation
Degree/ Business
Foundation Year
First Degree/
Direct entry into
Level 6/
Technology
Foundation
Programme
BA (Hons)
Journalism
Postgraduate
4.5
5.5 with
minimum 5.5 in
writing
6.0 with
minimum of 5.5
in writing
7.5 with
minimum 7.0 in
writing
6.5 with
minimum of 6.0
in writing
UKBA
Minimum of 4.0 in all
four components
Minimum of 4.0 in all
four components
Minimum of 5.5 in all
four components
Minimum of 5.5 in all
four components
Minimum of 5.5 in all
four components
SSU
57
71
87
110
92
UKBA
Minimum component
scores: R-8, L-13, S19, W-17
Minimum component
scores: R-15, L-17, S21, W-19
Minimum component
scores: R-22, L-21, S23, W-21
Minimum component
scores: R-22, L-21, S23, W-21
Minimum component
scores: R-22, L-21, S23, W-21
SSU
790
940
R-330, L-335,
S-140, W-135
1095
1305
R-455, L-490,
S-180, W-180
1160
R-405, L-430,
S-165, W-160
UKBA
Minimum component
scores: R-275, L-275,
S-120. W-120
Minimum component
scores: R-275, L-275,
S-120, W-120
Minimum component
scores: R-385, L-400,
S-160, W-150
Minimum component
scores: R-385, L-400,
S-160, W-150
Minimum component
scores: R-385, L-400,
S-160, W-150
IELTS
TOEFL
(Internet
Based)
Validity of
certified
language level
2 years
2 years
TOEIC
2 years
Page 2
ANNEX A
SSU
SQA Higher
ESOL
SQA
Intermediate
II ESOL
N/A
N/A
N/A
Grade C
N/A
N/A
UKBA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
SSU
N/A
N/A
Grade C
A
Grade B
UKBA
N/A
N/A
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
SSU
FCE Grade C
FCE Grade B
CAE Grade C
CPE Grade C or
CAE Grade A
CAE Grade B or
CPE Grade
between 45-59%.
UKBA
Weak in all
components
Weak in all
components
Weak in all
components
CAE - Borderline in all
components. CPE C1/C2
Weak in all
components. CPE C1/C2
SSU
144
172
204
292 with
minimum of 67 in
writing
232 with
minimum of 55 in
writing
UKBA
Minimum of 36 in all
four components
Minimum of 36 in all
four components
Minimum of 51 in all
four components
Minimum of 51 in all
four components
Minimum of 51 in all
four components
Cambridge
ESOL
Pearson Test
of English
(PTE)
Academic
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
Page 3
ANNEX A
London Tests
of
English/Pearson
Test of English
(PTE) General
Test of English
for Educational
Purposes
(TEEP)
Cambridge BEC
Higher
Cambridge BEC
Vantage
SSU
Pass at L2
Pass with Merit
at L2
Pass at L3
Pass at L4
Pass with Merit
at L3
UKBA
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Additional exam
which tests all four
language components
at B2 needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
SSU
4.5
5.5
6
7.5 with
minimum 7.0 in
writing
6.5 with
minimum of 6.0
in writing
UKBA
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Minimum of 5.5 in all
four components
Minimum of 5.5 in all
four components
Minimum of 5.5 in all
four components
SSU
N/A
N/A
B2 Certificate
Pass Grade B or
above
B2 Certificate
UKBA
N/A
N/A
Weak in all four
components
Weak in all four
components
Weak in all four
components
SSU
B1 Certificate
Pass Grade C
Pass Grade B
N/A
Pass Grade A
UKBA
Weak in all four
components
Weak in all four
components
Minimum Grade C in
all elements
N/A
Minimum Grade C in
all elements
English B Grade 5
(Standard level)
or Grade 4
(Higher Level)
English B Grade 4
(Standard Level)
or Grade 3
(Higher Level)
English B Grade 5
(Standard level) or
Grade 4 (Higher Level)
English B Grade 4
(Standard Level) or
Grade 3 (Higher Level)
SSU
2
3
English B Grade
4 (Standard
level) or Grade 3
(Higher level)
UKBA
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
English B Grade 4
(Standard level) or
Grade 3 (Higher level)
IB Diploma
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
Page 4
ANNEX A
SSU
2
3
English A1, A2 or
B Grade 4
(Standard Level)
or Grade 3
(Higher Level)
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
English A1, A2 or B
Grade 4 (Standard
Level) or Grade 3
(Higher Level)
English A1, A2 or B
Grade 5 (Standard
Level) or Grade 4
(Higher Level)
English A1, A2 or B
Grade 4 (Standard
Level) or Grade 3
(Higher Level)
SSU
4.5
5.0 + 6 week
Solent Presessional
6.0 + 6 week
Solent Presessional
N/A
6.5 + 6 week
Solent Presessional
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
SSU
N/A
N/A
Pass
Pass
Pass
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Minimum 'low pass' in
all components
Minimum 'high pass' in
all four components
Minimum 'pass' in all
four components
SSU
3
3
3
5
4
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Minimum Grade
F/Level 1 in all four
components
Minimum Grade
F/Level 1 in all four
components
Minimum Grade
F/Level 1 in all four
components
IB Certificate
Password
Michigan
Examination
for the
Certificate of
Competency
in English
(ECCE)
Hong Kong:
Certificate in
Education
Exam in
English
English A1, A2 or
B Grade 5
(Standard Level)
or Grade 4
(Higher Level)
English A1, A2 or
B Grade 4
(Standard Level)
or Grade 3
(Higher Level)
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
Page 5
ANNEX A
Hong Kong:
Use of
English Exam
India:
CBSE/ICSE in
English
Language
Kenya:
Kenyan
Certificate of
Education
Malaysia:
SPM 1119
Nigeria: West
African
Senior School
Certificate
Examination
SSU
Grade E
Grade E
Grade D
Grade A
Grade C
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Minimum Grade
F/Level 1 in all four
components
Minimum Grade
F/Level 1 in all four
components
Minimum Grade
F/Level 1 in all four
components
SSU
50%
60%
65%
75%
70%
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
SSU
Grade D
Grade D
Grade C
Grade A
Grade B
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
SSU
N/A
N/A
Grade 6
N/A
N/A
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
SSU
C6
C6
C6
C4
C6
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
No date specified
Page 6
ANNEX A
Norway:
Vitnemal
Videregaende
Opplaering
qualification
Singapore:
GCE O Level
SSU
2
3
4
5
4
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components if visa
required
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components if visa
required
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed if visa
required
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed if visa required
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed if visa required
SSU
D
D
Grade C
N/A
N/A
UKBA
Plus additional SELT at
B1 in all four
components
Plus additional SELT
at B1 in all four
components
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
Additional exam which
tests all four language
components at B2
needed
No date specified
No date specified
Page 7