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Durham University IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026

Durham University based in Durham, England publishes 4 named IELTS levels (Band A−, Band A, Band B, Band C). The level that applies to your application depends on the specific course you intend to study, not on whether you are applying at undergraduate or graduate level. The cards below show the institutional starting points; the tier table further down explains which level each cluster of courses uses.

Durham University requires a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for undergraduate admission and 7.0 overall for graduate study as of 2026. Individual programmes may set higher thresholds. All figures are sourced from the Durham admissions page and verified on 2026-05-19.

Undergraduate

Band A

6.5overall band

With no band below 6.0.

CEFR B2

Per-section 6.0

Most undergraduate programmes use Band A (overall 6.5 with no element below 6.0). Foundation programmes operate on Band A− (6.0 / 5.5); Education and several Humanities programmes require Band B or higher.

Graduate

Band B

7.0overall band

With no band below 6.5.

CEFR C1

Per-section 6.5

Most taught postgraduate programmes apply Band B (overall 7.0 with no element below 6.5). Band C (7.0 with at least 7.0 in each subscore) applies to many MA programmes in English Studies, Education and Theology.

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Last verified 2026-05-19. The figures on this page are taken from Durham University's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.

Official admissions page

About Durham and its IELTS requirement

Durham publishes three named bands (A, B, C) above the foundation pathway. Most undergraduates need Band A (6.5 / 6.0); most postgraduates need Band B (7.0 / 6.5); humanities master's programmes including English Studies and Theology require Band C (7.0 with 7.0 in every section).

Translating the published minimum into a study target

Undergraduate applicants to Durham need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. Most undergraduate programmes use Band A (overall 6.5 with no element below 6.0). Foundation programmes operate on Band A− (6.0 / 5.5); Education and several Humanities programmes require Band B or higher.

For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 7.0 with no band below 6.5 (CEFR C1). Most taught postgraduate programmes apply Band B (overall 7.0 with no element below 6.5). Band C (7.0 with at least 7.0 in each subscore) applies to many MA programmes in English Studies, Education and Theology.

Durham uses multiple named IELTS levels

Durham University publishes 4 named English-language levels and applies a different one depending on the course you are applying to. The right target is the level the specific programme requires, not the lowest published level. Confirming the level on the programme page before you sit the test saves a retake.

Programmes that raise the bar

Several Durham programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes MA English Studies (overall 7.0), MA Education (overall 7.0), LLM (Durham Law School) (overall 7.0). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.

How to prepare for the Durham IELTS minimum

A target of 6.5 (CEFR B2) is achievable for candidates with strong school-level English and 4-8 weeks of focused IELTS practice. The fastest gains usually come from Listening and Reading because the question types are predictable and trainable. Sit a full-length practice test first, identify the section that pulls your overall down most, and drill that section before scheduling the live exam.

Named levels

Named IELTS levels at this university

This university publishes more than one named level. The correct target depends on the course you apply to - confirm against the programme page.

Band A−Overall 6.0 · no band below 5.5

Pre-sessional and foundation pathways

Band AOverall 6.5 · no band below 6.0

Most undergraduate programmes

Band BOverall 7.0 · no band below 6.5

The majority of taught postgraduate programmes

Band COverall 7.0 · no band below 7.0

MA programmes in English Studies, Theology, Education and several Arts streams

Programme-specific IELTS minimums

These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.

Programme	Overall	Per-section
MA English Studies	7.0	7.0
MA Education	7.0	7.0
LLM (Durham Law School)	7.0	6.5
MSc Computer Science	6.5	6.0

Other English tests Durham accepts

TOEFL iBT 92 with W 23 / S 23 / R 23 / L 23 (Band A); 102 with 25 each (Band B); 102 with at least 27 in each section (Band C). PTE Academic and Cambridge English C1 Advanced/Proficiency mapped to the band system on the official page.

Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.

Official sources

Durham University - official English-language requirements (primary source for the bands on this page)
IELTS.org - IELTS scoring in detail (official nine-band scale and how each band is awarded)
British Council - IELTS band scores explained

FAQ

Common questions

What is the minimum IELTS score for Durham University?

For undergraduate study at Durham University, the published minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. For graduate study, the minimum is overall 7.0 with no band below 6.5. Specific programmes can require higher; the figures here reflect the institutional baseline.

What does 'no band below 6.0' mean at Durham?

Durham treats the four IELTS Academic sections as independent gates. Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking must each clear 6.0 on their own. A score of 5.5 in any one of them - even when paired with a 7.0 elsewhere - means the application is filed as not meeting the English-language requirement and is set aside before it reaches the academic reviewer.

Does Durham accept other English tests besides IELTS?

Yes. TOEFL iBT 92 with W 23 / S 23 / R 23 / L 23 (Band A); 102 with 25 each (Band B); 102 with at least 27 in each section (Band C). PTE Academic and Cambridge English C1 Advanced/Proficiency mapped to the band system on the official page. Acceptance and thresholds for alternative tests can change from one admission cycle to the next; the Durham University admissions page linked above is the authoritative source.

What if my IELTS score is below the Durham minimum?

If your overall is at or just above the threshold but one section is short, Durham usually treats this the same as missing the overall: the per-section requirement is a hard gate. The fastest path back into the pool is a retake focused on the single weak section. Candidates with overall 6.0 and a Writing band of 5.5 routinely lift the Writing band by 0.5–1.0 inside a month of structured Task 1 and Task 2 practice.

Are there programme-specific IELTS minimums at Durham?

Yes. 4 programmes on this page publish thresholds that differ from the institutional baseline, including MA English Studies, MA Education, LLM (Durham Law School). The Programme-specific IELTS minimums table above shows each one. Always re-verify on the programme page before relying on a published figure - programme directors can raise minimums between intakes.