IELTS 6 Band Universities in the UK: The UK is home to some of the best top-ranked universities in the world with a large international student population enrolling in its university every year. As English is the medium of instruction throughout the UK’s higher education system, international students are required to prove their English proficiency by appearing for standardized language exams like the IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE.
What Does an IELTS Band Score of 6 Mean?
The International English Language Testing System is one of the most popular language exams required by universities in English-speaking countries for international students. In order to make it to the top universities, an international student is required to meet the IELTS score requirement as set by the university.
While most universities have an IELTS requirement of 6.5-7.0 or higher for Baccalaureate and postgraduate level programs, other universities have a lower IELTS score requirement and accept candidates with IELTS band 6 scores.
A candidate with a band score of 6 is considered a “competent user” as per the test and “generally has an effective command over the language despite some inaccuracies, in appropriacies, and misunderstandings”
Top 5 IELTS 6 Band Universities in the UK
1. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a leading public research university in Manchester, UK. The city of Manchester is home to a considerably sizeable Indian community making it a popular destination of study in the UK for Indian students. The university is home to the largest non-legal library in the UK as well as the iconic Manchester Museum which has a collection of over 16,000 artifacts.
The university accepts candidates with an overall band score of 6.0 given that the candidate has also secured a minimum of 5.5 in all sections of the IELTS exams. The university may require you to take additional language classes if you have a lower IELTS score. However, you will be eligible to enroll in the 1,000+ programs that the university offers.
QS World University Rankings 2022: 27th rank
2. University of Glasgow
Located in the iconic Scottish city of Glasgow, this university has been one of the leading universities in the UK and has by far produced three British Prime Ministers and 7 Nobel Laureates. Having its origins in the 1500s, the University of Glasgow is also one of the oldest universities in the UK and in the English-speaking world.
Similar to the University of Manchester, an IELTS band score of 6 will be accepted in the University of Glasgow given that you have secured a 5.5 score in all modules of the test. However, you will be required to take an English Language qualification before enrolling in a full-time course at the university.
QS World University Rankings 2022: 73rd rank
Living experiences in every city in the UK are unique. However, the student life and culture in the UK are common in all the UK. Read more about Student Life and Accommodation in the UK.
Image: Dulwich College, England.
3. University of Bristol
University of Bristol, UK is a public university in Bristol UK that ranks among the top institutions of higher education in the country and the world. The university is home to a significant population of international students and is known for providing world-class education and a study-friendly environment to its students.
The university classifies its courses on the basis of the level of English proficiency required for each course. A candidate with an IELTS band score of 6.0 may enroll in any course below the ‘profile A”
QS World University Rankings 2022: 62
4. University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is one of the leading Public universities in England with a high reputation for world-class education and research-oriented programs. The university has a fairly large student community of over 25,000 students currently enrolled in various programs.
The university accepts various language exams for admitting international students. If you are an aspirant who has an IELTS band score of 6.0 and a minimum of 5.5 in each of the modules of the IELTS exam, you can secure admission to various undergraduate level programs at the university. You will need a higher band score to enroll in a postgraduate-level program.
QS World University Rankings 2022: 95th rank.
5. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a leading public university in Edgbaston, UK which accepts an IELTS band score of 6 for admissions to various programs. With over 7,000 international students currently enrolled, this university is a popular destination for international students seeking high-quality education in the UK.
Students can secure admission to various postgraduate and undergraduate degree programs at the University of Birmingham with an IELTS band score of 6.0 and a minimum of 5.5 in all sections of the test.
QS World University Rankings 2022: 90th rank
Studying in the UK Without IELTS: What You Need to Know
While IELTS and other equivalent language exams are important aspects of securing admission to a top UK university, it is not mandatory to appear for IELTS in order to study in the UK as an international student.
A number of universities assess your language skills on alternate criteria which include your educational background, willingness to take up language classes, and verbal assessment.
Here are the Criteria for Admission to a Top UK University Without IELTS
- Have over 60% marks in your secondary and senior secondary year in English.
- If your medium of education for your previous education was English, the university may consider your application without IELTS.
- If you’ve majored in English for your undergraduate or postgraduate education, you will be allowed to undertake your studies in the UK without an IELTS
- The university may conduct telephonic interviews to determine your language proficiency as well, so prepare accordingly.
- The university may ask you to take a pre-sessional language course after arriving in the UK to prepare you for studying in the UK.
When applying to study in the UK without IELTS, you will need to keep certain important guidelines in mind. Read our detailed guide: Study in the UK for Indian Students without IELTS.
FAQs About Studying in the UK With IELTS Band 6
Is band 6 in IELTS good for the UK?
IELTS band score of 6 means that the candidate is a “competent user” of the language. While applying for higher education in the UK, a higher band score is preferable but students with a band score of 6 are eligible to enroll at a British university.
Can band 6 go to the UK?
In order to acquire a UK visa, you will need to meet the English Proficiency requirement set by your university. So yes, you can obtain a tier 4 general student visa for the UK if you have been selected for admission to a UK university and meet their IELTS requirement.
What is the minimum IELTS score for the UK?
A candidate must secure at least 4.03 points or more in each skill to meet the minimum IELTS requirement to study in the UK.
Conclusion
Studying in the UK is a unique opportunity that will open up your career to new possibilities and help you set the foundation for a strong career in your field. Securing a high score in an English proficiency exam is not an easy task, especially for non-native English speakers. However, don’t let this stop you from realizing your dreams and pursuing education at a leading university in the UK.
Finding the right IELTS 6 band universities in the UK may seem to be a daunting challenge at first, with hundreds of pages of confusing and often contradictory information available on the internet. The best way to move forward is to speak to an expert familiar with the various requirements and processes necessary for pursuing higher education in the UK.
CampusTrail’s team of professional study in UK counselors help you shortlist and apply to the best universities based on your profile, find scholarships and aid, secure accommodation, and even help you connect to existing Indian students in the UK. book a free one-to-one counseling session today!
