English Language Policy 
                     
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                     Document Title: English Language                                                             
                     Policy   
                     Version No.                    6.0                            Policy Owner                   Legal & 
                                                                                                                  Governance 
                                                                                                                  Services   
                     Superseded                     5.0                            Author Role Tile               Senior Solicitor 
                     version                                                                                      (Compliance) 
                     Approval Date                  07/03/2022                     Approved by                    Vice Chancellor  
                     Effective Date                 March 2022                     Review Date                    July 2022 
                      
        
        
        
         Teesside University English Language Policy 
        
        
        
         1.  Introduction 
         2.  Minimum band scores 
         3.  Tolerances 
         4.  English language requirement for Pre-sessional courses 
         5.  Exceptions to the English language requirement  
         6.  Secure English language tests (SELT) 
         7.  Assessment of CEFR B2 level English ability without a SELT 
         8.  In-sessional English language provision 
         9.  Professional Bodies 
           
         Appendix  A  –  International  qualifications  accepted  as  the  University’s  own 
         method to assess English language competence    
          
         Appendix B – European qualifications accepted as the University’s own method 
         to assess English language competence  
          
        
        
        
        
        
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       1.0 Introduction 
          
          1.1 This  Policy  details  the  University’s  English  language  requirements  for 
            admission to programmes of study and responsibility for approval lies with 
            the International Compliance Group (ICG). 
             
          1.2 The University shall endeavour to ensure that programmes at the same 
            level in cognate areas have consistent English language requirements. 
             
          1.3 Schools may recommend English language entry requirements above the 
            minima for new programmes during the programme approval process, and 
            variants from these minima will be submitted to the Student Admissions 
            Sub-committee (SASC) for approval.  
           
          1.4 Variation  to  English  language  entry  requirements  for  established 
            programmes  may  be  proposed,  with  clear  justification,  by  the  School 
            Student Learning & Experience Sub-Committee (SLEC) for approval by 
            Student  Admissions  Sub-Committee  (SASC).  Such  changes  shall  only 
            apply  for  subsequent  recruitment  cycles  and  not  be  implemented  mid-
            cycle.  
           
          1.5 UKVI requires sponsored students to demonstrate English language ability 
            on  the  Common  European  Framework  of  Reference  for  Languages 
            (CEFR)  in  all  4  components  (reading,  writing,  speaking  and  listening), 
            unless an exception applies (see paragraph 5) of at least:  
        
              (a) Level B2, where the student is studying a course at UK Bachelor’s 
               degree level or above; or 
              (b) Level B1, where the student is studying a pre-sessional course or a 
               course below UK Bachelor’s degree level. 
             
            The University will not set any English Language entry requirements below 
            these levels.  
           
          1.6 Appendix A contains a list of international qualifications accepted as the 
            University’s  own  method  to  assess  English  language  competence  (see 
            paragraph 7).  
           
          1.7 Appendix  B  contains  a  list  of  European  qualifications  accepted  as  the 
            University’s  own  method  to  assess  English  language  competence  (see 
            paragraph 7).  
           
          1.8 Appendices A and B are subject to change and all changes will be made 
            following proposal to, and approval by the International Compliance Group 
            (ICG) or by Chair’s Action.  
           
           
        
        
        
        
        
        
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       2.0 Minimum Band Scores 
        
          2.1 UKVI minimum levels for entry to demonstrate English language ability on 
            the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in 
            all 4 components are;  
        
              2.1.1  Level  B2  (equivalent  to  IELTS  5.5),  where  the  student  is 
                 studying  a  course  at  UK  Bachelor’s  degree  level  or  above 
                 (RQF6); or 
        
              2.1.2  Level  B1  (equivalent  to  IELTS  4.0),  where  the  student  is 
                 studying  a  pre-sessional  course  or  a  course  below  UK 
                 Bachelor’s degree level.  
           
          2.2 All students who are applying for a standalone course below Bachelor’s 
            degree level (RQF 6) must take a UKVI approved SELT (paragraph 6). 
           
          2.3 The  University  will  accept  both  UKVI  SELT  and  the  University’s  own 
            method to assess English language competence (see paragraph 7) for 
            admission to programmes at RQF 6 and above. This includes integrated 
            programmes comprising study at more than one RQF level, such as a 
            four-year  programme  comprising  a  foundation  year  and  degree  course 
            where progression from one stage to another is guaranteed (subject to 
            meeting academic requirements) and only one qualification is  awarded 
            and when the University is permitted by UKVI to issue a CAS to cover both 
            a pre-sessional and main course of study.   
             
          2.4 Entry  requirements  to  Teesside  University  programmes  are  set  using 
            IELTS scores (average score across the 4 bands) as the benchmark and 
            converted to equivalencies benchmarked by the English Language Centre 
            (ELC) and set out in this Policy. 
           
          2.5 The required English language scores used to make admissions decisions 
            are  available  on  the  International  English  language  pages  of  the 
            University’s website.  
        
          2.6 In  complying  with  UKVI  Sponsor  requirements,  and  noting  Teesside 
            University’s commitment to quality, the institution’s minimum entry levels 
            are set out as follows: 
             
              2.6.1  For programmes, which are below RQF 6 the entry requirement 
                 is IELTS 5.5 overall or equivalent SELT. No band must be below 
                 5.5.  
                  
              2.6.2  For programmes where the requirement is IELTS 6.0, 6.5 or 7.0 
                 overall, the University accepts students where no band is below 
                 5.5. There is no local discretion to raise the band minima to 6.0.  
        
              2.6.3  Where  a  student  is  studying  a  programme  at  an  overseas 
                 franchise partner and does not require sponsorship under the 
                 Student Route, the minimum score of 5.5 in each band will not 
                 apply.  A  student  must  meet  the  overall  average  entry 
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