English language
All programmes at Cardiff University Kazakhstan are taught in English.
Applicants must demonstrate a standard level of academic English language to study our courses.
To join the Foundation Year, the minimum requirement for English language is an IELTS (Academic) or equivalent qualification with 6.0 overall and a minimum of 5.5 in each of the sub-skills.
For undergraduate and postgraduate courses, a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 (with no component below 5.5) or an equivalent proof of English proficiency is required.
We accept a variety of English language tests and academic qualifications for entry, including TOEFL, the Cardiff University English Language Test, Cardiff University Pre-sessional programmes, and Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).
English language test overall score comparison table
Accepted language test | Equivalency to IELTS 6.5 overall | Equivalency to IELTS 7.0 overall | Equivalency to IELTS 7.5 overall | Test validity period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS Academic (including one skill retake)1 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | Two calendar years |
| LanguageCert Academic (in person)2 | 70 | 75 | 80 | Two calendar years |
| Oxford English Language Level Test (ELLT) (Digital and Global) (including one skill retake) | 7 | 8 | 9 | 18 months |
Pearson Test of English | 69 | 76 | 80 | Two calendar years |
Study Group (UK) Academic English Skills3 | 60% | 70% | 80% | Two academic years |
TOEFL iBT including | 88 | 98 | 109 | Two calendar years |
TOEFL iBT including | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | Two calendar years |
Trinity II/III | II: Accepted | II: Not accepted | II: Not accepted | Two calendar years |
1 The one skill retake must be taken within 60 days of the original test. Only one retake is acceptable. The two-year validity period starts on the date that the original test was taken.
2 You must take the in-person test. Cardiff University does not currently accept LanguageCert Academic Online.
3 Study Group International Foundation Year, International Year One, and Pre-Masters Programme - Academic English Skills (accepted only when taken as part of a full academic programme).
Academic qualification accepted in place of English tests
You will not be required to further demonstrate your English language level if:
- you have obtained a full bachelor (for example, BA, BSc) or higher (e.g. MA, MSc) degree which has been taught through the medium of English and awarded by a UK institution (including degrees jointly awarded by a UK institution and another institution) or
- you have obtained a full bachelor or higher degree that has been taught (in its entirety) in a country on the UKVI list of exceptions * (excluding Canada) or
- you are a national of, and have the acceptable alternative of a pass in a High School qualification from a majority English-speaking country on the UKVI list of exceptions * (including Canada) or
- you are a national of Canada and have obtained a full bachelor or higher degree that has been taught (in its entirety) in Canada and awarded by a Canadian institution or
- you are applying from a University that has a formal partnership agreement in relation to English language requirements (applicants from partner institutions should contact their current place of study for more details on eligibility)
Distance learning and self-taught degrees are not acceptable for English language evidence.
To check your specific qualification and the grade required to meet your English language conditions, contact us at admissionskz@cardiff.edu.kz.
The UKVI list of exceptions is used for acceptance onto programmes at Cardiff University Kazakhstan because the academic requirements are the same for both campuses. Students at Cardiff University Kazakhstan do not need to apply for a UK Student Visa - no information other than the list of exceptions applies to students at Cardiff University Kazakhstan.
Waiting for test results
You can apply for your programmes before you get your English language test results and send these in later. Indicate on your application form when you took or expect to take the English language test and when you expect to receive your test results. You can then send in your test results once you have them. In this case, your offer will be conditional upon us receiving your test results.
If you don’t meet the requirements
We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet our entry requirements.