The EFL Department achieves good results in this examination and the majority of our students gain a score of 6.5 (out of a possible 9) in the Academic paper. Almost all universities will accept candidates who obtain this score.

The majority of our international students aim to go on to Higher or Further Education in an English-speaking country. For this reason, we prepare them for the IELTS exams run by the British Council and held at centres all over the world. This is the most widely recognised language requirement for all courses and it is respected throughout the English-speaking world, Europe and other countries where English plays an important role in the business or academic sectors.

Students are tested on the four major skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. They receive a Band Score which runs from Band 1 (Beginner) to Band 9 (highly effective native speaker level). The EFL Department achieves good results in this examination and the majority of our students gain a score of 6.5 (out of a possible 9) in the Academic paper. Almost all universities will accept candidates who obtain this score.

There are two levels of IELTS: the General Training Paper and the Academic Paper.

Year 11.

In Year 11 students sit the General Training Paper at Bath University in May. This qualification is frequently required for sixth form entry and is also the exam taken by those who wish to qualify for work in an English speaking country.

Years 12 and 13.

Students sit the Academic Paper at Bath University or they can arrange to take it at a centre in their own country if preferred. The certificate is normally valid for two years and for this reason, we time the entrance dates with care to satisfy the demands of university entrance.