English Language requirements
Alongside meeting the academic entry requirements, all students must meet the minimum English language requirement for their chosen programme.
The academic English language requirements for each of LSHTM’s programmes are categorised into two bands:
- Band B (standard requirement)
- Band C (lower requirement)
Please refer to the appropriate programme specification for the Band of your preferred programme.
As part of the application process, applicants are required to demonstrate how they meet LSHTM's minimum English Language requirements. This is particularly important for applicants requiring a Student Visa, as the UK Home Office requires that every student from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland shows evidence of a minimum level of English language ability in order to be granted a Student visa and study in the UK.
English language requirements policy (pdf)
- Accepted English language tests
We accept a range of English language tests to demonstrate English proficiency:
- IELTS (Academic) Language
- LanguageCert Academic SELT
- Pearson PTE Academic
- Skills for English
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English - ISE III
The School will only accept proficiency tests that were completed and passed within two years of the start of the programme. English tests taken prior to this date will not considered as valid.
Please note: online tests (including IELTS Online), are not accepted.
IELTS Results Submission: Once you have received your IELTS Academic test results, there is no need to use the IELTS Results Service e-delivery. Please upload a PDF copy of your Test Report Form (including the TRF number) to the LSHTM application portal or send it by email to the LSHTM Admissions team.
All other English language test results submission: Upon completion of one of the accepted English language tests, please upload your official results form to the LSHTM application portal or email it to [email protected]. The Admissions team will then verify your results directly with the test provider.
LSHTM requires the following minimum proficiency test scores:
Band B Band C IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component Pearson PTE Academic 76 overall with 76 in each component 59 overall with 59 in each component LanguageCert Academic SELT 75 overall with 70 in each component 70 overall with 65 in each component Skills for English Band B = Pass with Merit in Skills for English Secure English Language Test for speaking, listening, reading and writing at CEFR level B2 Band C = Pass in Skills for English Secure English Language Test for speaking, listening, reading and writing at CEFR level B2 Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English - ISE III Level III with: Pass in each component Level II with: Distinction in one component, Merit in two components, Pass in one component - Majority English-speaking countries
Last updated: 1 November 2025
The UK Government recognises the following English-speaking countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Applicants who are a national of a UKVI-recognised English-speaking country or who have successfully completed an appropriate academic qualification (assessed by UK ENIC as equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree), which was taught in a country from the UKVI approved country list, automatically meet the School’s English Language requirements.
Please note that Canadian nationals are exempt from meeting English Language requirements but non-Canadian nationals who have studied in Canada are still required to meet the English Language requirements for their preferred programme due to Home Office regulations.
Qualification and Language Service (QLS)
Applicants who were taught in English in a country not listed above may request for the UK Home Office to assess their qualification to determine the level of English proficiency. All LSHTM programmes require a QLS level CEFR C1 (proficient user).
Further information on Student Visa requirements, including Knowledge of English, can be found on the government website. In the interest of compliance, LSHTM is not able to consider other countries as majority English-speaking countries.
- Conditions
If an applicant is permitted to defer their entry to LSHTM, we may ask them to re-take their test if their original offer was based on a test which will be out of date at the point of registration.
All test scores are verified with the issuing body on receipt. Any applicant found to have submitted a fraudulent score will have their application withdrawn.
LSHTM reserves the right to change minimum English Language requirements during an application cycle in-line with any compliance guidance released by the UK Home Office. In the event of such a change we will notify affected applicants.
- Exemptions
Applicants who meet one of the following criteria are exempt from the English language requirements. Exemptions vary by programme type:
Distance learning programmes
You must meet one of the following:
- Be a national of a UKVI approved country list
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher), which was taught from the UKVI approved country list
- Have in the last five years, successfully completed a degree-level course comparable to a UK Bachelor’s Degree at a UK ENIC recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment throughout the course is in English
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher) with Qualification Language Service (QLS) certification at CEFR level C1 (proficient user)
- Have (in the last five years) 18-months work experience conducted in English
- Meet ‘Band B’ English language test requirements
Intensive in-person programmes
- Be a national of a UKVI approved country list
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher), which was taught from the UKVI approved country list
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher) with Qualification Language Service (QLS) certification at CEFR level C1 (proficient user)
- Meet ‘Band B’ English language test requirements
Online intensive programmes (Climate Change & Planetary Health and Demography & Health online)
- Be a national of a UKVI approved country list
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher), which was taught from the UKVI approved country list
- Have in the last five years, successfully completed a degree-level course comparable to a UK Bachelor’s Degree at a UK ENIC recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment throughout the course is in English
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher) with Qualification Language Service (QLS) certification at CEFR level C1 (proficient user)
- Meet ‘Band B’ English language test requirements
Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy and Programming online
- Be a national of a UKVI approved country list
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher), which was taught from the UKVI approved country list
- Have in the last ten years, successfully completed a degree-level course comparable to a UK Bachelor’s Degree at a UK ENIC recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment throughout the course is in English
- Have successfully completed a qualification (equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree or higher) with Qualification Language Service (QLS) certification at CEFR level C1 (proficient user)
- Meet ‘Band C’ English language test requirements
Academic entry requirements
LSHTM's minimum entry requirements for each of its degrees are listed below. Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirement for the programme of their choice but who have relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission.
- Master's programmes (intensive)
In order to be admitted to an LSHTM master's degree programme, an applicant must:
- hold either a first degree at Second Class Honours (2:2) standard in a relevant discipline, or a degree in medicine recognised by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of practising medicine in the UK, or another degree of equivalent standard awarded by an overseas institution recognised by UK ENIC or the GMC).
or
- hold a professional qualification appropriate to the programme of study to be followed obtained by written examinations and judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to a Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.
or
- have relevant professional experience or training which is judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to a Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.
and
- satisfy any additional requirements where prescribed for admission to a specific programme.
If you have not previously studied in the UK, you can check our guide to international equivalent qualifications for our master's degrees.
Some degree programmes may have a higher entry requirement than specified above. Please be sure to check the individual programme for any additional entry requirements.
- MPhil and PhD
Academic requirements
The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration at the School on a MPhil/PhD programme is evidence of an aptitude for research and at least one of the following:- a master’s degree in a subject appropriate to the course of study to be followed (recommended)
- a qualification appropriate to the course of study to be followed, in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies
- an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a relevant subject.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B.- DrPH
Academic requirements
The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration at the School on a Doctoral programme is evidence of an aptitude for research and at least one of the following:
- a master’s degree in a subject appropriate to the course of study to be followed (recommended)
- a qualification appropriate to the course of study to be followed, in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies
- an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a relevant subject.
Applicants for the DrPH study are also required to have a minimum of two year's appropriate experience.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B.
Essential digital skills
Digital skills and using computers are an everyday part of modern life – and you'll need both during your time at LSHTM.
You'll need to be able to use standard software (such as Word), a web browser and email. You'll also need to be able to type at a reasonable speed in order to perform to the best of your ability during any online assessments – for reference, the average person types around 40 words per minute – there are a number of free typing speed tests available online.
It'll benefit your studies if you know how to:
- use digital technologies to find, evaluate and create information
- communicate effectively with online technologies
- select the correct tools to complete online and offline tasks
- perform tasks efficiently in a variety of digital environments
Whatever you're studying you'll need to know how to work with digital technologies, stay safe online and build a positive online presence.
Reasonable adjustments and support are available for students who have additional accessibility or learning needs, and LSHTM recognises the use of voice to text or alternative software being available for those students with disabilities.