
United Kingdom · Nottingham
PTE score for University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 65 overall for undergraduate and 71 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums too (see below).
Last verified 2026-10-14. Source: English language requirements: University of Nottingham
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
65
overall minimum
IELTS 6.0 equivalent: 65 overall with at least 59 in each element. A common undergraduate band; Nottingham sets the requirement per course.
Postgraduate
71
overall minimum
IELTS 6.5 equivalent: 71 overall with at least 65 in each element. A common taught-masters band; some programmes require IELTS 7.0 (76 with 65 each).
Visa note: PTE Academic is accepted for degree-level study at Nottingham. PTE Academic Online is not accepted. Whether you also need a PTE Academic UKVI (a Secure English Language Test) for your UK Student visa depends on your course level: degree applicants at a licensed student sponsor are usually assessed by the university itself, while below-degree or pre-sessional courses can require the UKVI test. The UK government, not the university, sets visa English rules.
Requirements are set by University of Nottingham and can change. Always verify at the English language requirements: University of Nottingham before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
University of Nottingham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS 6.0 courses | 65 | 59+ | Courses requiring IELTS 6.0; common undergraduate entryNote: At least 59 in each element. |
| IELTS 6.5 courses | 71 | 65+ | Courses requiring IELTS 6.5; common postgraduate entryNote: At least 65 in each element. |
| IELTS 7.0 courses | 76 | 65+ | Courses requiring IELTS 7.0Note: At least 65 in each element. |
| IELTS 7.5 courses | 79 | 76+ | Courses requiring IELTS 7.5Note: At least 76 in each element. |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the University of Nottingham 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 Nottingham in Nottingham, United Kingdom accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 65 overall with no skill below 59, and for postgraduate programs 71 overall with no skill below 65.
For undergraduate entry at University of Nottingham, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 65 with no skill below 59. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 71 overall with no skill below 65. IELTS 6.5 equivalent: 71 overall with at least 65 in each element. A common taught-masters band; some programmes require IELTS 7.0 (76 with 65 each). Always confirm with University of Nottingham directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Nottingham require a PTE Academic overall score of 71 with no skill below 65. IELTS 6.5 equivalent: 71 overall with at least 65 in each element. A common taught-masters band; some programmes require IELTS 7.0 (76 with 65 each).
PTE Academic is accepted for degree-level study at Nottingham. PTE Academic Online is not accepted. Whether you also need a PTE Academic UKVI (a Secure English Language Test) for your UK Student visa depends on your course level: degree applicants at a licensed student sponsor are usually assessed by the university itself, while below-degree or pre-sessional courses can require the UKVI test. The UK government, not the university, sets visa English rules.
It depends on the course, because University of Nottingham sets its PTE bar by program. Its lowest listed band is 65 overall (Courses requiring IELTS 6.0; common undergraduate entry) and its highest is 79 overall (Courses requiring IELTS 7.5). So a score below one course's bar can still meet another's. If you are below the band for the course you want, either resit PTE Academic after work on your weakest skill, since one low skill can pull your overall down (and fail any per-skill minimum), or ask University of Nottingham whether it offers an English pathway program. Check the band for your exact course on University of Nottingham's English language requirements page.
Neither is easier in general: University of Nottingham accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS, and what matters is clearing its number for your course, for example 65 overall (no skill below 59) for most undergraduate programs and 71 overall (no skill below 65) for most postgraduate ones. PTE Academic is computer-delivered and scored by AI, and since August 2025 a human expert also reviews the content of seven task types; IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview. If a recorded format suits you better than an interview, PTE may be the easier fit. A free PTE mock shows where you stand against University of Nottingham's bar.
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