Direct answer
Loughborough University publishes a single set of English language requirements that apply to all postgraduate taught degree courses, including the MSc Sustainable Sport Business. The standard requirement is an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no individual element below 6.0. Equivalent scores in other approved tests are accepted. The University has not published a separate programme-specific English requirement for this MSc, so the standard postgraduate taught requirement applies. Chinese applicants must also hold a qualification that meets the University’s academic entry criteria for their country, but the official English language page does not specify the academic grade equivalencies for China. Those details must be confirmed directly with the admissions office or on the specific programme page.
Standard English language requirement for postgraduate taught courses
All Schools and Departments at Loughborough University require the University standard English language qualification for postgraduate taught degree courses. The standard is an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. This applies to the MSc Sustainable Sport Business unless a higher requirement is stated in the offer communication.
Some Schools or Departments may require higher levels of English language than the standard. The University states that any higher requirements will be sent to you in your offer communication. The official English language page does not list the MSc Sustainable Sport Business as a course with a higher requirement, but applicants should check their individual offer letter for the final, binding condition.
Approved English language tests and minimum scores
Loughborough University accepts several English language qualifications. All tests must be taken no more than two years before the start of the course. The following table summarises the minimum scores required for postgraduate taught courses, based on the official list of approved qualifications.
Tests of English for speakers of a foreign language (taken within two years of the start of the academic year)
- IELTS Academic Test (including Online Test) and IELTS One Skill Retake: Overall score of 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in each test.
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (centre-based test): SELT C1: Pass overall (listening, reading, writing, speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50. Tests taken from 2025 onwards: Overall score of 70 with not less than 65 in each test.
- LanguageCert Academic SELT (centre-based test): Overall score of 70 with not less than 65 in each test.
- Pearson Test of Academic English (PTE) (centre-based test): Overall score of 65, with not less than 61 in each sub-test.
- TOEFL iBT: Tests taken prior to 21 January 2026: Overall score of 88, with not less than 21 in each test. Tests taken from 21 January 2026: Overall score of 4.5 with not less than 4.5 in Writing and Listening and not less than 4.0 in Speaking and Reading.
- Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) III: 96 overall with not less than 90 in each component.
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): C/200.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): C/180.
- Cambridge English: First (CFE): Not listed with a specific grade for postgraduate taught courses; applicants should confirm with the University.
- ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE): 65% overall with 60% in each sub-test (taken in the UK).
Other accepted tests
- TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: Tests taken prior to 21 January 2026: Overall score of 88 with not less than 21 in each test. Tests taken from 21 January 2026: Overall score of 4.5 with not less than 4.5 in Writing and Listening and not less than 4.0 in Speaking and Reading.
- LanguageCert: Online test: C1: Pass overall (listening, reading, writing, speaking combined) with no sub-test lower than 33 out of 50. Tests taken from 2025 onwards: Overall score of 70 with not less than 65 in each test.
- Duolingo English Test: Overall score of 120 with not less than the following in each integrated and individual sub-test: Speaking 110, Writing 115, Reading 110, Listening 105.
School-based qualifications accepted from China
The official English language page does not list any school-based qualifications from China that satisfy the English language requirement. The page provides a list of international school-based qualifications by country, and China is not included. This means Chinese applicants typically cannot use their Gaokao or senior secondary school English results to meet the English condition. They must provide one of the approved tests listed above or a degree from a majority English-speaking country.
Previous university study in English
Applicants who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in certain countries may use that degree to meet the English language requirement. The accepted countries are: 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, and the USA. A pass in the degree is required. Canadian nationals who studied in Canada are accepted; non-Canadian nationals who studied in Canada will need an additional English language test unless they are nationals of another majority English-speaking country.
A UK undergraduate degree with at least one year of study completed in the UK also satisfies the requirement. This includes students on a 3+1 programme at a UK university if they have completed a full year of study in the UK. A UK postgraduate degree with a pass also meets the condition.
Pre-sessional English language programmes
Loughborough University offers pre-sessional English language programmes for students who do not meet the IELTS requirement. Admission to these programmes is at the discretion of the School or Department. Completing a pre-sessional programme can serve as an alternative way to satisfy the English language condition for the MSc Sustainable Sport Business. The official page does not list the specific entry scores for the pre-sessional programmes; those details are available on the pre-sessional course pages.
What the official page does not confirm
The official English language page does not provide academic entry requirements for Chinese applicants. It does not state the minimum percentage or GPA required in a Chinese bachelor’s degree for admission to the MSc Sustainable Sport Business. It also does not confirm whether this specific MSc requires a higher IELTS score than the standard 6.5 overall. These details must be verified on the programme’s own entry requirements page or through the postgraduate taught admissions office. The page also does not list any China-specific school-based English qualifications, so Chinese applicants should plan to take an approved English test unless they hold a degree from an accepted country.
FAQ
What is the IELTS requirement for the MSc Sustainable Sport Business?
The standard University IELTS requirement for postgraduate taught courses is 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component. The official page does not list a higher requirement for this specific MSc, but any higher requirement would be stated in the offer letter.
Can I use my Gaokao English score to meet the English language requirement?
No. The official list of accepted international school-based qualifications does not include any qualification from China. You must provide an approved English test score or a degree from an accepted country.
Does Loughborough University accept the Duolingo English Test for this course?
Yes. The Duolingo English Test is accepted with an overall score of 120, with minimum sub-scores of 110 in Speaking, 115 in Writing, 110 in Reading, and 105 in Listening.
How recent must my English language test be?
All English language tests must be taken no more than two years before the start of the course. School-based qualifications used to meet the English requirement should have been taken within the past ten years.
What if my IELTS score is below 6.5?
Loughborough University offers pre-sessional English language programmes. If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, the School or Department may, at its discretion, offer you a place on a pre-sessional programme as an alternative way to satisfy the English condition.
I studied at a UK university on a 3+1 programme. Does that satisfy the English requirement?
Yes, if you completed a full year of study in the UK as part of a 3+1 programme at a UK university, that satisfies the English language requirement for postgraduate taught courses.
Where can I find the academic entry requirements for Chinese students?
The academic entry requirements for Chinese applicants are not published on the English language page. You should check the specific programme page for the MSc Sustainable Sport Business or contact the postgraduate taught admissions office. For broader context on UK study options, you may also find relevant discussions in resources about university selection, such as those covering budget considerations in Australian university selection or country-specific guidance like New Zealand study options.
Official sources
For additional context on navigating international education choices, you may wish to explore resources on agent rankings in Guangzhou or general advice on selecting UK study agencies.