English Language Waiver Programme
If you meet the academic entry requirements for an LSTM course but do not have a current English language qualification, you may be eligible for the English Language Waiver Programme.
It applies to:
- Professional diplomas
- Non-credit bearing short courses
- MSc Global Health (online)
You can apply for an English language waiver on the basis of your educational background or your professional work experience. Below you will find the assessment criteria for each category. All points must be met within the relevant category 1, 2 or 3.
Email mylstm@lstmed.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Category 1 – Education criteria (secondary school)
Any senior school certificate from the table below, with the corresponding minimum grade in English language:
Country |
Senior school certificate |
Minimum grade in English |
| Botswana | Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (BGCSE/GCE) | A-C |
| Cameroon | GCE O Level | C or above |
| Caribbean | Caribbean Examination Council General Proficiency
|
I & II |
| Finland | Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studentexamensbetyg | 7 |
| France | Baccalauréat l’Option Internationale | 13 |
| Germany | Abitur – (English Language as a Leistungkurs) | 12 |
| Hong Kong | HKDSE
Hong Kong Use of English AS level |
4 with no component less than 4
C |
| India | Standard XII or Pre-U certificate | 70% or above |
| Kenya | KCSE | C or above |
| Malawi | Secondary School Certificate of Education | 6, Credit (3-6) or above |
| Malaysia | SPM 1119 | C or above |
| Netherlands | Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs | 6.5 |
| Norway | Vitnemål | GPA 4.0 or above |
| South Africa | National Senior Certificate | 5-7 |
| Sweden | Slutbetyg/Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan | C |
| Tanzania | Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) | C or above |
| Uganda | Certificate of Education (UCE) | 6 or above |
| UK | International Baccalaureate (IB) | SL 5 or HL 4 in English B (Group 2) |
| WAEC (Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria & Sierra Leone) | WASSCE/NECO | C, Credit (4-6) or above |
| Zambia | Secondary School Certificate | 6 or above |
| Zimbabwe | General Certificate of Education | C, Credit (5-6) or above |
Category 2 – Education criteria (university)
Previous or current degree-level course that meets all of the following criteria:
- Full-time.
- At least nine months duration.
- Undertaken at a recognised institution where the teaching and assessment is entirely in English.
- Completed within five years of the start date.
Category 3 – Work criteria
Substantial professional experience meeting all of the following criteria:
- Working in a majority English speaking country for at least two yearswhere the main language for the role was English.
- In a role involving daily professional use of each of the four language components in English (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
- Working a sufficiently technical context to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in English in an academic environment.
- Left the role no more than two years before the start date of the course.