University of Bath IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026
University of Bath based in Bath, Somerset applies a single IELTS floor at both undergraduate and graduate level: overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Programme-specific minimums sit above this floor; the breakdown below lists every programme on this page that does.
University of Bath requires a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for undergraduate admission and 6.5 overall for graduate study as of 2026. Individual programmes may set higher thresholds. All figures are sourced from the Bath admissions page and verified on 2026-06-23.
Bath groups undergraduate courses into Categories A, B, and C. Categories A and B (e.g. Architecture, Education, Languages) require overall 7.0 with 6.5 in each component. Category C (most Science and Engineering courses) requires overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each component.
Postgraduate taught courses use a three-tier system. Standard: 6.5 with 6.0 each. Higher: 7.0 with 6.5 each. Highest: 7.0 with 7.0 each. Research degrees use two tiers: Science/Engineering/Design at 6.5 with 6.0 each, and Management/Humanities/Social Sciences at 7.0 with 6.5 each.
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Last verified 2026-06-23. The figures on this page are taken from University of Bath's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About Bath and its IELTS requirement
Bath is one of the few UK universities that explicitly accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for postgraduate courses. Its tiered system means requirements range from 6.5 (Science/Engineering) to 7.0 with 7.0 in every component (Highest PGT tier). Duolingo is widely accepted with some programme exceptions.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
Undergraduate applicants to Bath need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. Bath groups undergraduate courses into Categories A, B, and C. Categories A and B (e.g. Architecture, Education, Languages) require overall 7.0 with 6.5 in each component. Category C (most Science and Engineering courses) requires overall 6.5 with 6.0 in each component.
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (CEFR B2). Postgraduate taught courses use a three-tier system. Standard: 6.5 with 6.0 each. Higher: 7.0 with 6.5 each. Highest: 7.0 with 7.0 each. Research degrees use two tiers: Science/Engineering/Design at 6.5 with 6.0 each, and Management/Humanities/Social Sciences at 7.0 with 6.5 each.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several Bath programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes Undergraduate Categories A and B (Architecture, Education, Languages) (overall 7.0), PGT Higher tier (overall 7.0), PGT Highest tier (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 Bath 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Categories A and B (Architecture, Education, Languages) | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| PGT Higher tier | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| PGT Highest tier | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| PGR Management / Humanities / Social Sciences | 7.0 | 6.5 |
Other English tests Bath accepts
TOEFL iBT 90-100 depending on tier. PTE Academic 62-69. Duolingo 120-130 (not accepted for MA Contemporary European Studies). Cambridge C1/C2 accepted. Trinity College London ISE III accepted. LanguageCert Academic accepted.
Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.
Official sources
- University of Bath - 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
Common questions
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