IELTS score requirement for University of Exeter
University of Exeter based in Exeter, Devon applies a single IELTS floor at both undergraduate and graduate level: overall 6.5 with no band below 5.5. Programme-specific minimums sit above this floor; the breakdown below lists every programme on this page that does.
Standard profile requirement for most undergraduate programmes. Some programmes in English, History, Law, and Medical Sciences require a higher profile (overall 7.0 with 6.0 or 6.5 in each component).
Standard postgraduate taught-programme minimum. Research degrees and programmes in the College of Humanities and the Business School typically require overall 7.0 with no component below 6.0 or 6.5.
Last verified 2026-06-16. The figures on this page are taken from University of Exeter's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About Exeter and its IELTS requirement
Exeter is a Russell Group university in southwest England with strong league-table performance in the UK top 15. The standard undergraduate IELTS profile is 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each component; Medicine requires 7.5 with no band below 7.0.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
Undergraduate applicants to Exeter need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 5.5. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. Standard profile requirement for most undergraduate programmes. Some programmes in English, History, Law, and Medical Sciences require a higher profile (overall 7.0 with 6.0 or 6.5 in each component).
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (CEFR B2). Standard postgraduate taught-programme minimum. Research degrees and programmes in the College of Humanities and the Business School typically require overall 7.0 with no component below 6.0 or 6.5.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several Exeter programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes BMBS Medicine (overall 7.5), LLB Law (overall 7.0), MBA (Business School) (overall 7.0). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.
How to prepare for the Exeter IELTS minimum
A target of 6.5 (CEFR B2) is achievable for candidates with strong school-level English and 4-8 weeks of focused IELTS practice. The fastest gains usually come from Listening and Reading because the question types are predictable and trainable. Sit a full-length practice test first, identify the section that pulls your overall down most, and drill that section before scheduling the live exam.
Programme-specific IELTS minimums
These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.
| Programme | Overall | Per-section |
|---|---|---|
| BMBS Medicine | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| LLB Law | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| MBA (Business School) | 7.0 | 6.0 |
Other English tests Exeter accepts
TOEFL iBT 90 (writing 21, all others 21) for the standard profile. Pearson PTE Academic 58. Duolingo English Test accepted for some programmes from the 2025 intake.
Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.
Common questions
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