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English and Study Skills
All applicants to the University must offer an internationally recognised English language proficiency test. Acceptable tests include IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge examinations, and GCE O-levels in English language. Other tests are accepted by the Admissions Board only under exceptional circumstances; applicants should check with the Registry in such cases.
Applicants to the standard program have the opportunity, if necessary, to enrol on the pre-sessional English & Study Skills Program. Applicants to the accelerated 11-month program cannot attend the ESSP, and so must meet the higher requirements.
Candidates are assessed in accordance with the following general guidelines:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
| CBT: 173 to 212 | |
| IBT: 61 to 79 | ESSP participation required |
| PBT: 500 to 549 |
| CBT: 213+ | |
| IBT: 80+ | no ESSP required |
| PBT: 550+ |
WMU’s TOEFL institution code is 9198
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
| bands 5.0 and 5.5 | ESSP participation required |
| bands 6.0 or above | no ESSP required |
Please note: the academic, not the general training, version of the test is required
Cambridge Examinations
| First Certificate (FCE) | ESSP participation required |
| Proficiency (CPE) | no ESSP required |
Students who have a pass in a GCE O-level or the equivalent (WAEC, CXC etc) must enclose a copy of their examination results for evaluation by the Admissions Board.
Sometimes applicants’ test results meet the University’s general guidelines, but show weaknesses in a certain skills area. In such cases, the Admissions Board will vary the guidelines shown above. Information on TOEFL may be obtained through US embassies/consulates or the US Information Service, and on the IELTS and Cambridge Examinations from the British Council or Australian or UK embassies/consulates.
The following web sites also have full information:
Last modified: Mon, 01/08/2011 - 13:46 by WMU Webmaster