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PTE score for University of Southampton

University of Southampton accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 67 overall for undergraduate and 67 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums on both.

Last verified 2026-06-30. Source: English language requirements — University of Southampton

PTE Academic score requirements

Undergraduate

67

overall minimum

Listening64+
Reading64+
Writing64+
Speaking64+

Band C (CEFR B2), a common lower direct-entry band: 67 overall with at least 64 in each skill. Southampton sets a band (A to I) per course, so check your course's required band.

Postgraduate

67

overall minimum

Listening67+
Reading67+
Writing67+
Speaking67+

Band E (CEFR B2), a common taught band: 67 overall with at least 67 in each skill. Higher bands (F to I) require 76 overall.

Visa note: PTE Academic is accepted for degree-level study at Southampton. The exact band (A to I) is set per course and stated in your offer. 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 Southampton and can change. Always verify at the English language requirements — University of Southampton before applying.

PTE requirements by program and faculty

University of Southampton 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 / LevelOverallEach skillPrograms
Band C6764+Common lower direct-entry band (CEFR B2)Note: 67 overall with at least 64 in each skill.
Band E6767+Common direct-entry band (CEFR B2)Note: 67 overall with at least 67 in each skill.
Band F7667+Higher requirement (CEFR C1)Note: 76 overall with at least 67 in each skill.
Bands G and H7676+Highest requirement (CEFR C1)Note: 76 overall with at least 76 in each skill.

To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the University of Southampton Course Search 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 Southampton in Southampton, United Kingdom accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 67 overall with no skill below 64, and for postgraduate programs 67 overall with no skill below 67.

For undergraduate entry at University of Southampton, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 67 with no skill below 64. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 67 overall with no skill below 67. Band E (CEFR B2), a common taught band: 67 overall with at least 67 in each skill. Higher bands (F to I) require 76 overall. Always confirm with University of Southampton directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.

Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Southampton require a PTE Academic overall score of 67 with per-skill minimums of Listening 67, Reading 67, Writing 67 and Speaking 67. Band E (CEFR B2), a common taught band: 67 overall with at least 67 in each skill. Higher bands (F to I) require 76 overall.

PTE Academic is accepted for degree-level study at Southampton. The exact band (A to I) is set per course and stated in your offer. 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.

If your current PTE score is below the University of Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton 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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