Direct answer
Loughborough University requires all international applicants, including those from China, to meet a standard University English language requirement for postgraduate taught courses. The standard is an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each individual element (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
The official evidence does not provide a specific academic entry requirement for Chinese applicants to the MSc Digital Finance and Artificial Intelligence programme. The English language page confirms that some Schools or Departments may require higher levels of English than the standard, and the exact requirements will be sent in your offer communication.
Standard English language requirement
The standard University English language requirement for all postgraduate taught degree courses is an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each sub-test. This applies across all Schools and Departments at Loughborough University.
English language tests must be no more than two years old at the start of the course. Where a school-based qualification is used, it should have been taken within the past ten years.
Accepted alternative English language qualifications
The University accepts a range of qualifications as alternatives to IELTS. All tests must be taken within two years of the start of the academic year unless otherwise stated.
Approved tests of English for speakers of a foreign language
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): Minimum grade C/200
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Minimum grade C/180
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (centre-based test): SELT C1 Pass overall with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50. Tests taken from 2025 onwards require an overall score of 70 with no less than 65 in each test.
- LanguageCert Academic SELT (centre-based test): Overall score of 70 with no less than 65 in each test.
- Pearson Test of Academic English (PTE) (centre-based test): Overall score of 65, with no less than 61 in each sub-test.
- TOEFL iBT: Tests taken prior to 21 January 2026 require an overall score of 88, with no less than 21 in each test. Tests taken from 21 January 2026 require an overall score of 4.5 with no less than 4.5 in Writing and Listening and no less than 4.0 in Speaking and Reading.
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III: 96 overall with no less than 90 in each component.
Approved online and home edition tests
- TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: Same score requirements as the centre-based TOEFL iBT, dependent on test date.
- LanguageCert Online test: C1 Pass overall with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50. Tests taken from 2025 onwards require an overall score of 70 with no less than 65 in each test.
- Duolingo English Test: Overall score of 120, with minimum sub-test scores of Speaking 110, Writing 115, Reading 110, and Listening 105.
School-based qualifications accepted from China
The official page lists no school-based qualifications from China that are accepted to meet the English language requirement. The international school-based qualifications table includes specific qualifications from countries such as India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, but does not list any qualification from mainland China.
Applicants from China should therefore expect to provide one of the approved English language tests listed above, unless they hold a qualification from another country that appears on the accepted list.
Previous university study in English
The University accepts previous university study in English as meeting the language requirement under specific conditions:
- An undergraduate degree from a UK university, with at least one year of study completed in the UK.
- A postgraduate degree from a UK university (Pass).
- An undergraduate or postgraduate degree from one of the following countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Ireland, New Zealand, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, USA.
Applicants who are not Canadian nationals but have studied in Canada will need an additional English language test, unless they are nationals of another majority English-speaking country.
Pre-sessional English language programmes
For applicants who do not meet the IELTS requirement, Loughborough University offers pre-sessional English language programmes as an alternative way to satisfy the requirements. Admission to these programmes is at the discretion of the School or Department.
What the official evidence does not establish
The current official evidence is limited to the University’s English language requirements page. The following points are not established by this evidence and require live rechecking:
- The specific academic entry requirements for Chinese applicants to the MSc Digital Finance and Artificial Intelligence programme, including any tiered ranking system for Chinese universities and corresponding final mark requirements.
- Whether the School or Department delivering this programme requires a higher level of English than the standard University requirement.
- The programme-specific fee, application deadlines, and module details.
FAQ
What is the minimum IELTS score for Loughborough University postgraduate courses?
The standard University IELTS requirement for postgraduate taught courses is 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each individual element (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
Does Loughborough University accept the Duolingo English Test?
Yes. The University accepts the Duolingo English Test with an overall score of 120, and minimum sub-test scores of Speaking 110, Writing 115, Reading 110, and Listening 105.
Are there any Chinese school qualifications that meet the English language requirement?
No. The official list of accepted international school-based qualifications does not include any qualification from mainland China. Applicants from China will typically need to provide an approved English language test score.
Can I use my degree from a UK university to meet the English language requirement?
Yes, if you have completed at least one year of study in the UK for an undergraduate degree, or have passed a postgraduate degree from a UK university. Degrees from certain majority English-speaking countries are also accepted.
What if I do not meet the IELTS requirement?
Loughborough University offers pre-sessional English language programmes. Admission to these programmes is at the discretion of the School or Department, and they can serve as an alternative way to satisfy the English language condition.
How old can my English language test be?
English language tests must be no more than two years old at the start of the course. School-based qualifications used to meet the requirement should have been taken within the past ten years.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn exclusively from the Loughborough University international English language requirements page, which sets out the standard requirements and accepted qualifications for all international applicants.
For broader context on studying in the UK, you may find these resources helpful: