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International Entry Requirements

We understand that knowing how your international qualification fits into the UK qualification system can be confusing, so our International Team is on hand to provide advice and guidance.

We use a service called UK ENIC to equate international qualifications to the UK system.

As an international student, you may also need to provide evidence of your English language ability. You need to show written and spoken English fluency to the required level of the course you're applying to.

Know Your Level

Newcastle College University Centre is proud to offer higher education programmes. It is important that you determine which level is appropriate for you - our International Team can help with this if you are unsure.

Honours Degrees (Level 6)

We offer a range of Honours Degree programmes in many different subject areas. Our degrees are developed in collaboration with employers, so you will graduate with the skills you really need to secure your dream job. You will benefit from industry-standard facilities, strong industry links and dedicated higher education environments.

For entry onto our three-year undergraduate Honours Degree programmes, you will need a Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area. You may also need the equivalent of at least a grade 4/C in GCSE English and maths. See the individual entry requirements for your chosen course for more information.

Honours Degree (Top-Ups) (Level 6)

If you have already studied a course to Level 5 and earned a Foundation Degree, you may be eligible to apply for an Honours Degree (Top-Up) programme.

For entry onto our one-year Top-Up degrees, you will need to hold a relevant Level 5 qualification.

Master's Degrees (Level 7)

For entry to our Master's Degree programmes, you will need at minimum the equivalent of a UK Honours Degree (Level 6). Some courses have extra requirements such as relevant work experience, so make sure to check the course page for further details.

If you would like advice about what level your qualification is and what you may be able to study, please send a colour copy of your qualification (transcript and certificate) to international@ncl-coll.ac.uk.

Academic Progression

If you need a student visa to study in the UK, it is important to consider Academic Progression. We only accept international students who can demonstrate academic progress. This means that your new course should be a higher level than your previous course - for example, if you hold a Level 6 Honours Degree, you can apply for a Level 7 Master's Degree, but it is unlikely that you could enrol on a Level 5 Foundation Degree because it is at a lower level than your Honours Degree.

English Language Requirements for Study Levels 3-5

If you’re applying for a course at Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5 and require a student visa, you must take a test that is approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This is known as a Secure English Language Test (SELT). The SELT must be dated within two years of your course start date.

We accept the following SELTs:

IELTS Academic UKVI
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI.

The level of English required depends on the course you wish to study. Please check the relevant course page for the most up to date information.

English Language Requirements for Study Levels 6-7

If you are applying to study a course at Level 6 and above (e.g. an Honours Degree or a Master's Degree) you do not need to provide a SELT, but will still need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency.

We accept the following English Language Tests, if they have been taken within two years of the course start date:

IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
Pearson PTE Academic: Minimum score of 59 in each component. Please note that we do not currently accept the online version of this test.
Cambridge English Assessment (FCE, CAE or CPE): Overall score of 162–230.
TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 72 with at least 18 in Reading, 20 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking. Please note that we do not accept the “Special Home Edition”.

Other accepted qualifications:

GCSE or AS Level in English Language: Grade 4/C and above, when awarded within five years of the course start date.
A Level in English Language: Grade 3/D and above, when awarded within five years of the course start date.
West African Senior School Certificate: Grade C6 or higher in English Language, when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Senior School Certificate: Grade C6 or higher in English Language, when awarded by the National Examinations Council Nigeria (NECO).

Applicants to degrees at Level 6 and above who currently reside in the UK may be able to attend a formal English language assessment in-person at Newcastle College, in place of providing an accepted language test. Please note that the minimum score for in-house assessments is CEFR B2.

Please contact the International Office for more information.

Exceptions to the English Language Requirements

You do not need to provide evidence of your English language aptitude if any of the following conditions apply:

you are a UK national.
you are a national from a majority English speaking country as specified by the UKVI. Click here to view the list of countries this applied to.
you have completed a degree either in the UK or in a majority English speaking country within the last five years.

How to apply as an international student

Read our handy step-by-step guide on how to apply to Newcastle College as an international student.

Visas and immigration

Get information regarding applying for your visa and staying compliant with UKVI guidance.

Contact our International Team

Our team is happy to help you with any queries you may have.