Entry requirements for Pre-sessional English (PEAP)
Each PEAP course has an entry level so that you have the necessary language skills to make the necessary progress within that time period to start a degree. The entry levels are based on the language requirements for the Masters or Bachelors degree you're applying for. You'll find all the details on this page.
Deciding the length of your PEAP course
The length of PEAP course that you'll need to complete depends on your language level now and the language requirement for the degree course you're applying to.
Please note the following important information:
- Any results you submit will need to be verified. This can include using the online verifying services provided by examining bodies or contacting the awarding institution.
- You will require a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for admission to the PEAP course. The SELTs that we currently accept are:
- IELTS for UKVI
- PTE Academic UKVI
- LanguageCert SELT
- If you plan to begin your course in September 2025 after successfully completing PEAP you will be eligible to apply for the visa for your Masters or Bachelors degree from the UK. Our international student support team can assist you with this process and have produced helpful guidance on visa and immigration matters on our Student Hub.
Entry levels for Bachelors degrees that have an IELTS 6.0 language requirement
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 15 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Pass grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 4.5, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE ACADEMIC)
Not applicable to this level
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B1 156 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component.
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 10 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Pass grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 5.0 with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 43 with at least 43 in each component.
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B1 180 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component.
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 6 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Pass grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 5.5, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 46 with at least 43 in each component
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B2 132 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component.
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 6 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Pass grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 6.0, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 54 with at least 43 in each component.
LANGUAGECERT
Not applicable at this level
You do not need to take the PEAP course if you have one of the below language test grades:
IELTS Academic
An overall score of 6.0 with a minimum component score of 5.5
PEARSON (PTE) Academic (we do not accept PTE Academic Online)
Overall score of 59 with at least 59 in each component
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B2 or Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé ESOL B2 Communicator 156 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component
Entry levels for Bachelors and Masters degrees that have an IELTS 6.5 language requirement
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 15 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Commendation grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 5.0, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 43 with at least 43 in each component
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B1 180 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component.
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 10 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Commendation grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 5.5, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 46 with at least 43 in each component
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B2, 132 overall (scores for 4 components added together), with at least 33 in each component.
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 6 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Commendation grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 6.0, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 54 with at least 43 in each component
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B2 156 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component.
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 6 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Commendation grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 6.5, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 62 with at least 43 in each component.
LANGUAGECERT
Not applicable at this level
You do not need to take the PEAP course if you have one of the below language test grades:
IELTS Academic
An overall score of 6.5 with a minimum component score of 5.5
PEARSON (PTE) Academic (we do not accept PTE Academic Online)
62 with at least 59 in each component
LANGUAGECERT
SELT B2 or Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé ESOL B2 Communicator 180 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component.
Entry levels for Masters degrees that have an IELTS 7.0 language requirement
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 10 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Distinction grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 6.5, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 62 with at least 43 in each component
LANGUAGECERT
LanguageCert SELT B2 180 overall (scores for 4 components added together) with at least 33 in each component
If you have any of the below test grades, the length of PEAP course you’ll need is:
- 10 weeks
You would need to achieve a minimum of PEAP Distinction grade to progress to your University course.
IELTS Academic for UKVI
Overall score 7.0, with no component score lower than 4.0
PEARSON (PTE)
PTE Academic UKVI: 68 with at least 43 in each component.
LANGUAGECERT
Not applicable at this level
You do not need to take the PEAP course if you have one of the below language test grades:
IELTS Academic
An overall score of 7.0 with a minimum component score of 5.5 (some courses have higher component requirements, see 'Exceptions' below).
PEARSON (PTE) ACADEMIC (we do not accept PTE Academic Online)
Overall score of 68 with at least 59 in each component (some courses have higher component requirements, see 'Exceptions' below).
LANGUAGECERT
Not applicable at this level.
Exceptions
Please refer to this information on exceptional entry requirements if you are applying for the following courses:
- Any 2-year Masters programme in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Business School
- Postgraduate research degrees
- Journalism courses
- BA (Hons) and MA Social Work (PEAP is not suitable for entry to this subject area).
Please note other English language tests may also be accepted. If you have taken a different English language test instead of IELTS, please email international@ntu.ac.uk to check the requirements.
Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Business School
Postgraduate research or any 2-year Masters course at NBS:
If your overall IELTS score is no lower than:
- 5.0 with no component lower than 4.0, you'll need to complete a 15-week PEAP course.
- 5.5 with no component lower than 4.0, you'll need to complete a 10-week PEAP course.
- 6.0 with no component lower than 4.0, you'll need to complete a 6-week PEAP course.
- 6.5 with no component lower than 4.0, you'll need to complete a 6-week PEAP course.
- 6.5 with no component lower than 6.0 in speaking and listening/5.5 in reading and writing/6.0 for postgraduate research degrees, PEAP is not required.
Journalism courses
If your overall IELTS score is no lower than:
- 6.5 with no component lower than 4.0, you'll need to complete a 10-week PEAP course.
- 7.0 with no component lower than 4.0, you'll need to complete a 10-week PEAP course.
- 7.0 with no component lower than 6.0 in reading and writing/5.5 in listening and speaking/6.5 a PEAP course is not required.
Ready to apply?
Please use our to apply for a Pre-sessional English course.
If you need any advice on your study options please contact the international team.