IELTS score requirement for University of York
University of York based in York, North Yorkshire publishes IELTS Academic minimums for both undergraduate and graduate study. The two cards below show those institutional baselines; the editorial body translates the bands into a study target and lists the programmes that publish their own, higher thresholds.
Most Science and Social Science programmes require the standard profile of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component. Arts and Humanities programmes typically require 6.5 overall with 6.0 each. English and related studies require 7.0 overall.
Standard postgraduate taught minimum. Departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities set 7.0 overall. PhD programmes often match or exceed the taught minimum of the hosting department.
Last verified 2026-06-16. The figures on this page are taken from University of York's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About York and its IELTS requirement
York is a Russell Group university consistently ranked inside the UK top 20 for teaching quality. Undergraduate IELTS starts at 6.0 overall for Science and rises to 7.0 for English and related studies; Medicine (via Hull York Medical School) requires 7.5.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
Undergraduate applicants to York need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.0 with no band below 5.5. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. Most Science and Social Science programmes require the standard profile of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component. Arts and Humanities programmes typically require 6.5 overall with 6.0 each. English and related studies require 7.0 overall.
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (CEFR B2). Standard postgraduate taught minimum. Departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities set 7.0 overall. PhD programmes often match or exceed the taught minimum of the hosting department.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several York programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes MBBS Medicine (Hull York Medical School) (overall 7.5), LLB Law (overall 7.0), MA/MSc in Education (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 York IELTS minimum
A target of 6.0 (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 |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS Medicine (Hull York Medical School) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| LLB Law | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| MA/MSc in Education | 7.0 | 6.0 |
Other English tests York accepts
TOEFL iBT 79 (21 in each component) for the standard profile. Pearson PTE Academic 55 overall. York runs Pre-sessional English and Language for Study programmes of various lengths.
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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