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Academic requirements

We consider applicants on the basis of academic merits as well as English language proficiency. Although the entry requirements vary depending on different courses, as a general rule, you are expected to hold an honours degree at 2:1 level or above (or international equivalent) in an appropriate subject. Evidence of relevant personal, professional and education experience may also be taken into consideration. Refer to the course specific requirements page for more information.

Based on the application materials provided, the admissions committee may require the applicant to participate in relevant interviews or tests.

  • For the Chinese mainland applicants, the minimum average score is 80 if you graduated from a domestic university of project 985, 211 or double first-rate; the minimum average score is 85 if otherwise.
  • If you are a student from China's Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan regions, please refer to the entry requirement page for HMT students.
  • If you are an international student from anywhere else in the world, please refer to the entry requirement page for international students.

Certain postgraduate taught courses have a specific specialisation or research direction. For students who need degree verification from the Chinese Ministry of Education, please note the verification document only states the degree title without the specialisation or research direction stated in brackets.

Please also note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English or your entry qualification was not obtained in the English medium (from an approved institution) you are required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English. Only off-line English test score is accepted.

Masters courseEnglish language requirements
MSc Computer Science
  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any element*
  • PTE Academic 65 (minimum 59)
  • TOEFL (IBT) 80 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in speaking)
MSc Urbanism and Sustainable Environments
MA International Relations and International Business
  • IELTS 6.5 with the writing band no less than 6.0*
  • PTE Academic 71 (minimum 65)
  • TOEFL (IBT) 90 (minimum 19 in Writing)
MA International Relations and World History
Other PGT courses
  • IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any element*
  • PTE Academic 71 (minimum 65)
  • TOEFL (IBT) 90 (minimum 19 in Writing and Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in Speaking)

 *We accept IELTS One Skill Retake.

Please also note that meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee admission.  

Our Centre for English Language Education (CELE) provides pre-master programmes for students who are preparing for postgraduate study. Successful completion of the pre-sessional programme is acceptable for meeting the minimum English language requirements of postgraduate admission to University of Nottingham Ningbo China.

 

Policy for waiving English language requirements


  • Alumni from Nottingham UK, Nottingham Ningbo China and Nottingham Malaysia are NOT required to submit any further evidence of English language ability.
  • Applicants from the following countries or have studied for a degree there (excl. split site degree programmes) are NOT required to submit any further evidence of English language ability: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United Kingdom; United States of America.
  • Candidates who have successfully completed degree level study from the list in the following table are not required to submit any further evidence of English language ability.

    Country / RegionLevel of "vouching" for English equivalent to B2 level:
    Anguilla All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Barbados All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Bermuda All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Botswana All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Cayman Islands All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Europe Selected institutions only
    Gambia All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Ghana All institutions on recognised institutions list
    India Selected institutions only
    Kenya All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Lesotho All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Liberia All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Mauritius All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Montserrat All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Nigeria All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Pakistan Selected institutions only
    Seychelles All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Sierra Leone All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Singapore Selected institutions only
    South Africa All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Tanzania All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Uganda All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Virgin Islands (British & US) All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Zambia All institutions on recognised institutions list
    Zimbabwe All institutions on recognised institutions list
  • For graduates who have studied in multiple countries, if you have completed a degree course which was split between multiple countries or universities, the following rules will apply:
    • If you completed the final two years of your course in an English-speaking country or university meeting one of the criteria above, and your degree was awarded by that university, we will accept this as meeting our English language entry requirements.
    • If you completed a degree course in an English-speaking country or university meeting one of the criteria above, which included a year abroad in a non-English speaking country, we will accept this as meeting our English language entry requirements.
    • If you have only completed a single year or less in an English speaking country or university, for example, on a student exchange or study abroad programme, and the rest of your degree course in a non-English speaking country, this will not meet our requirement.
  • If you obtained your degree from a university where the medium of instruction is in English but it is not listed as one of the universities where English requirement is exempted, please send an email to Admissions@nottingham.edu.cn for enquiry and we will evaluate your application on a case by case basis.