English Language Requirements

If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of English ability when applying. All teaching and assessment are in English, so a strong command of the language is required.

Student visa applicants whose first language is not English must submit a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

A Secure English Language Test is a Home Office–approved exam taken at an approved test centre. It assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking, using the CEFR scale.

You must take a SELT if:

You are not from a majority English-speaking country, or
You do not hold a degree awarded in a majority English-speaking country.

Visa applicants must prove their English level with a SELT unless exempt.

Exemptions to proof of English language proficiency

You do not need to take a Secure English Language Test if you are from one of the approved English speaking countries or you’ve completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of those countries or territories.

You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies:

You’re a national of Canada
You proved your level of English in a previous visa application
You’re a Postgraduate applicant of a majority English speaking country or have recently completed an Undergraduate degree in the UK or Ireland

Alternative evidence for degrees completed in English outside approved countries

If you have recently completed an undergraduate degree in a country not on the list of approved English‑speaking countries, but your course was taught and assessed in English, you must submit the following evidence:

A certificate or official results transcript and
An English Proficiency and Qualification Comparison Statement issued through Ecctis (Qualification and Language Service – QLS)

This statement must confirm both the academic comparability of your qualification and the English language proficiency level achieved through the medium of instruction.

If your country is not listed in any of the above, you will be required to fulfil the standard English Language requirements and submit a SELT as part of your application.

Taking a SELT

Taking a SELT

Common test: IELTS for UKVI. Results take around 14 days. You will need to provide us with a copy of your IELTS certificate.

Approved test providers in the UK:

Outside the UK:

You should be able to book a test within 28 days, though not always at the nearest location.

For results to be accepted, the test must:

Be from an approved provider
Be taken at an approved test site
Be awarded within 2 years of your application

Minimum Level (CEFR B2) Test Scores

IELTS for UKVI: 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each skill (reading, writing, listening, speaking.) Please see below for more information:

Exam Type	IELTS SELT Consortium UKVI	Trinity College London	Pearson PTE Academic UKVI	LanguageCert International ESOL	PSI Services (UK) Ltd Skills for English UKVI 4SB2
Scores Needed	A minimum requirement of IELTS level 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any of the communicative skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)	Overall Score: ISE II (B2) Pass with Merit in communicative skills	Overall score of 59 with minimum communicative scores of; Listening 48, Reading 53, Speaking 46 and Writing 62.	Overall Global Scale score: 60-74 Minimum score per Communicative skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) 60	4SB2+, B2 Pass

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Minimum Level (CEFR B2) Test Scores

English Language Requirements

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