English Language Requirements for Postgraduate Study in Geography

Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming overseas students from countries across the globe.  To make sure you can benefit fully from the unique learning experience available at Durham it’s important that you can demonstrate competency in the English language at the level required for the course you want to study. 

If English is not your first language, then you must provide evidence of your ability in spoken and written English.

If you have a University qualification undertaken in English and with the qualification awarded within two years of the start date, you may not need to provide additional evidence of English language proficiency. Check the Other English Language Qualifications list to see if your existing qualifications apply. If you are still unsure, please ask us. 

Recognised English Language Tests

Durham accepts a number of tests and qualifications as evidence of meeting its English language requirements.

Recognised English Language Tests

Time Limits

You should have passed the test no longer than two years prior to the start of the course. GCSE /iGCSE and Cambridge O level English Language time limits are 4 years apart from iGCSE First Language English which has no time limit.

If you have an out-of-date certificate, it is worth loading it up and flagging it to demonstrate your ability while you secure a further test.

Direct Entry English Language Requirements

The following are the English language requirements for direct entry onto the associated course:

MA Research Methods (PGT): BAND B 

All Other Postgraduate Taught (PGT): BAND E  

Postgraduate Research Programmes (PGR): BAND B 

Additional training options

There are pre-sessional training options for those who have not quite reached the required standard, but please note that there is no funding to support attendance at these. It is also the case that, given the competitive nature of our funding schemes, we will not award funding to a candidate who ‘might’ achieve the levels through this route but is not guaranteed to do so.

Pre-sessional options for achieving English language requirements:

MA Research Methods (PGT): BAND B 

All Other Postgraduate Taught (PGT): BAND E  

Postgraduate Research Programmes (PGR): BAND B 

Other entry requirements

Please ensure that you meet all other entry requirements for your course. These are set out by global region on the International Students pages: International Students - Regional Information

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