Before you leave to study in the UK you will, in most cases, need to obtain a Student visa. Applying for a visa can take time, so it’s important to plan far enough in advance to get one.
To help you navigate the visa application process, we’ve prepared answers to common questions – take a look below.
5. Do I need UKVI IELTS to study in the UK?
Any student who doesn’t hold a degree or nationality from a majority-English-speaking country will need to satisfy the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) English language requirement. You can do this by taking an IELTS for UKVI test, or another UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), at a UKVI-approved test centre, and reaching the required English level no more than 2 years before your CAS is assigned.
For a test to be approved, it needs to be at B1 level or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and test all 4 language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The tests currently accepted are:
- IELTS for UKVI
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic UKVI
- Skills for English UKVI (4 component)
If you have a degree from another country, which was taught in English, you will also need an English Language Assessment from UK ENIC. Anybody who has taken GCSEs, A-Levels, or Scottish Highers in English Language or English Literature in a UK school while they were under 18, is also exempt.
If you are applying for an International Year One (IYO) course, we might be able to assess your English using alternative tests. Please contact us through the link below for more information.