United Kingdom — Birmingham
PTE score for University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 64 overall for undergraduate and 64 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums on both.
Last verified 2026-06-24. Source: International Entry Requirements — University of Birmingham
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
64
overall minimum
Group A (Engineering, Sciences, Computer Science). Groups B, C and D require higher scores. Check your program's group on the Birmingham website.
Postgraduate
64
overall minimum
Tier 1 (Science programs). Tier 2 (Arts, Business, Law, Medicine) requires 67 overall with 64 per skill. Tier 3 (ClinPsyD, Management) requires 76 overall with 67 per skill.
Visa note: PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online accepted for degree-level study. Foundation pathways require PTE Academic (UKVI). Test certificates must be no more than 2 years old at the start date of the program.
Requirements are set by University of Birmingham and can change. Always verify at the International Entry Requirements — University of Birmingham before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
University of Birmingham sets different PTE score thresholds depending on your program. The table below lists the most common bands — always confirm the exact requirement for your intended course.
| Band / Level | Overall | Each skill | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A / Tier 1 (Sciences, Engineering) | 64 | 59+ | Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics |
| Group B / Tier 2 (Arts, Business, Law) | 67 | 64+ | Business, Economics, Education, English, History, Law, Liberal Arts, Medicine, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, Social Policy |
| Group C (Health professions) | 76 | 67+ | Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Social Work |
| Group D (Dentistry, Medicine) | 67 | 67+ | Dentistry BDS, Medicine MBChB, NursingNote: 67 in all four skills required |
| Tier 3 PG (Management, Research) | 76 | 67+ | ClinPsyD, Education research programs, Management postgraduate programs |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the Birmingham Course Finder and select your intended program.
What if your score is below the requirement?
A PTE score that is 2 to 5 points below the requirement is almost always a single-skill problem. One weak skill — commonly Writing or Speaking — pulls the overall score below the threshold while the other three are already sufficient.
The fastest path to closing that gap is identifying which skill is the bottleneck, then drilling it specifically. A free 10-minute diagnostic on this site identifies your weakest skill from your response patterns — no guessing, no wasted prep time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. University of Birmingham in Birmingham, United Kingdom accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 64 overall with no skill below 59, and for postgraduate programs 64 overall with no skill below 59.
For undergraduate entry at University of Birmingham, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 64 with no skill below 59. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 64 overall with no skill below 59. Tier 1 (Science programs). Tier 2 (Arts, Business, Law, Medicine) requires 67 overall with 64 per skill. Tier 3 (ClinPsyD, Management) requires 76 overall with 67 per skill. Always confirm with University of Birmingham directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Birmingham require a PTE Academic overall score of 64 with per-skill minimums of Listening 59, Reading 59, Writing 59 and Speaking 59. Tier 1 (Science programs). Tier 2 (Arts, Business, Law, Medicine) requires 67 overall with 64 per skill. Tier 3 (ClinPsyD, Management) requires 76 overall with 67 per skill.
PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online accepted for degree-level study. Foundation pathways require PTE Academic (UKVI). Test certificates must be no more than 2 years old at the start date of the program.
If your current PTE score is below the University of Birmingham requirement, there are two realistic paths. First, resit PTE Academic after targeted preparation focusing on your weakest skill (one low skill can pull your overall score significantly below the threshold). Second, check whether University of Birmingham offers a conditional admission pathway through an English language pathway program, which allows entry at a lower score followed by an on-campus English course before your degree starts. The free diagnostic on this site identifies exactly which skill is holding your score back.
University of Birmingham accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS. The tests measure the same skills but in different formats. PTE Academic is fully computer-delivered and AI-scored, which removes examiner variability from Speaking and Writing. Many candidates who find the IELTS Speaking interview stressful prefer PTE's recorded format. The best test for you depends on your strengths. Try a free PTE mock to see where you stand.
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