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Queen Mary University of London IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026

Queen Mary University of London based in London, England publishes 5 named IELTS levels (Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5). 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.

Undergraduate

Band 4

6.5overall band

With no band below 6.0.

CEFR B2

Per-section 6.0

Course-dependent; Band 4 (6.5 overall, 6.0 each) is the most common undergraduate requirement. Some programmes require Band 5 (7.0).

Graduate

Band 4

6.5overall band

With no band below 6.0.

CEFR B2

Per-section 6.0

Most taught postgraduate programmes require Band 4 (6.5/6.0) or Band 5 (7.0/6.0). PhD research typically 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component.

Last verified 2026-06-02. The figures on this page are taken from Queen Mary University of London'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 QMUL and its IELTS requirement

Queen Mary assigns programmes to one of five IELTS Academic bands: Band 1 (5.0/5.0), Band 2 (5.5/5.5), Band 3 (6.0/5.5), Band 4 (6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component), and Band 5 (7.0 overall with 6.0 in each). Band 4 is the most common requirement for undergraduate and postgraduate taught entry.

Translating the published minimum into a study target

Undergraduate applicants to QMUL need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. Course-dependent; Band 4 (6.5 overall, 6.0 each) is the most common undergraduate requirement. Some programmes require Band 5 (7.0).

For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (CEFR B2). Most taught postgraduate programmes require Band 4 (6.5/6.0) or Band 5 (7.0/6.0). PhD research typically 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component.

QMUL uses multiple named IELTS levels

Queen Mary University of London publishes 5 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.

How to prepare for the QMUL 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 1Overall 5.0 · no band below 5.0

Lowest band; foundation-level programmes

Band 2Overall 5.5 · no band below 5.5

Foundation and pre-masters programmes

Band 3Overall 6.0 · no band below 5.5

Selected programmes

Band 4Overall 6.5 · no band below 6.0

Most common undergraduate and postgraduate taught requirement

Band 5Overall 7.0 · no band below 6.0

Higher-requirement programmes (e.g. law, medicine, some humanities)

Other English tests QMUL accepts

Only IELTS Academic (standard or UKVI) accepted, not IELTS General; IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator also accepted. Test must be no more than 2 years old at course start.

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

Official sources

Queen Mary University of London — 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 Queen Mary University of London?

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

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

QMUL 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 QMUL accept other English tests besides IELTS?

Yes. Only IELTS Academic (standard or UKVI) accepted, not IELTS General; IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator also accepted. Test must be no more than 2 years old at course start. Acceptance and thresholds for alternative tests can change from one admission cycle to the next; the Queen Mary University of London admissions page linked above is the authoritative source.

What if my IELTS score is below the QMUL minimum?

A short-fall against the QMUL minimum is fixable rather than fatal in most admission cycles. Candidates who retake IELTS after four to six weeks of targeted practice on their lowest section commonly close a half-band gap. Targeted practice means full-length papers under timed conditions, not topical revision; the section that pulled you down on the last sitting is almost always the one that will pull you down again unless you specifically drill it.

Are there different IELTS levels at QMUL?

Yes. Queen Mary University of London publishes 5 named levels (Band 1 / Band 2 / Band 3 / Band 4 / Band 5). The level that applies to your application depends on the specific course you are applying to. The Named IELTS levels table above shows each level and which courses use it.

See where you stand against the QMUL minimum

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