English Language Requirements

The Home Office (UKVI) defines certain countries as "Majority English Speaking Countries" and nationals from these countries are not normally required to obtain an English language qualification for entry to our courses.  

Applicants who are nationals of these countries or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them will automatically meet the UKVI Student Route visa requirements for English language, but the University may still require some evidence of English language ability to meet the general entrance requirements. 

Visit the UKVI website for a list of majority English speaking countries. 

If you are applying to study a Professional Health Programme such as; Adult Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Diagnostic Radiography, Mental Health Nursing, Operating Department Practice, Paramedic Science, Radiotherapy and Oncology or Social Work you are required to achieve the following:

If you have completed a degree-level qualification which meets, or exceeds, the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s degree* and English was the medium of instruction, we may be able to waive our English language requirement if you provide us with your MoI letter. 

Our ability to waive the English language requirement based on your completion of a degree taught in English is in line with the UKVI’s English language requirements for a Student visa. Therefore, if you require a visa to study a degree in the UK, the UKVI does not require you to complete a Secure English Language Test (SELT) providing we are able to waive the English language requirement for your application following our assessment of your MOI letter.  

MoI letters must be issued by a Registrar, Deputy Registrar, the Registrar's Office or Controller of Examinations (or equivalent).

MOI letters cannot be used for entry to our Professional Health programmes. 

If your degree was awarded more than 10 years prior to your University of Suffolk course start date, we will not be able to accept your MoI letter. 

If you do not have a MoI letter and your degree was awarded in the last five years, you may be able to use our English Language Test Waiver instead. Please see below for more information. 

*we use the services of ECCTIS (UK ENIC) to determine comparability to UK degree awards. 

We can waive the need for a specific English language test where an applicant has one of the qualifications from an approved institution, taken within five years of your course start date.

See our full list of approved universities