Guide to Secure English Language Tests
If you need a Tier 4 General Student Visa to come to the UK, you may need to pass an approved English language test first.
The rules vary depending on your nationality, the type of course you want to follow and the
type of college or university where you plan to study.
The following list of frequently asked questions provides some background information to help you understand the rules.
Approved tests (known as secure English language tests, or SELTS) must be taken in person in a secure environment, so
the identity of the
student sitting the test can be verified. The UK Border Agency decides which tests are approved
and the minimum English level required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Secure English Language Test to study English in the UK?
No. However, if you plan to study for 11 months or more, you will have to demonstrate to
your English school that you are at a level of at least CEFR B1. For more information about the Common European
Framework of Reference (CEFR), please see
our section on English language qualifications.
Do I have to take a Secure English Test for academic courses?
If you want to study an academic course for 6 months or more, the UK Border Agency will
require you to take a test unless:
- You are studying at or above degree level at a government funded college or university
(if you are studying at a private institution, you will need to take a test);
- You are under 18 and coming to study in the UK on a Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa;
- You are over 18, but you have studied as a child student in the UK for at least 6 months within the last two years;
- You are from one of the following countries, which the UK Border Agency considers to be majority English speaking:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana,
Jamaica, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States;
- You have a completed an academic qualification, at least equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree, which was taught in a
majority English speaking country.
Note: if the UK Border Agency does not require you to take a test, your sponsor may
still ask you to take a test to demonstrate your English level is sufficient for the course you want to study.
What tests are approved by the UK Border Agency?
The most popular approved tests are IELTS (Academic), Pearson PTE (Academic), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge ESOL and TOEFL (IBT).
Other approved tests include City & Guilds ESOL, TOEIC, BEC, ILEC, ICFE and BULATS.
What test score will I need to achieve?
If you are studying a course below degree level (e.g. A Level, national
certificates and diplomas), you will need to pass at a level equivalent to CEFR B1. Minimum scores are as follows:
| Test Name |
Total |
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
| *IELTS |
4.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
| IGCSE (1st Language) |
- |
G |
G |
F or 3** |
F or 3** |
| IGCSE (2nd Language) |
- |
E |
E |
E or 3** |
D |
| *TOEFL iBT |
42 |
9 |
4 |
13 |
16 |
| *Pearson PTE |
- |
36 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
| Cambridge ESOL |
KET |
-- Exceptional in all skills -- |
If you are studying at degree level or above, you will need to pass at a level equivalent to
CEFR B2. Minimum scores are as follows:
| Test Name |
Total |
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
| *IELTS |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
| IGCSE (1st Language) |
- |
E |
E |
D or 2** |
D or 2** |
| IGCSE (2nd Language) |
- |
D |
D |
C or 2** |
A |
| *TOEFL iBT |
72 |
17 |
18 |
17 |
20 |
| *Pearson PTE |
- |
51 |
51 |
51 |
51 |
| Cambridge ESOL |
PET |
Exceptional in all skills |
* TOEFL, Pearson and IELTS expire after 2 years.
** Depending on the syllabus studied.
How do I book a Secure English Language Test in my country?
To find a test centre and book a test in your country, please use the links below.
If you have difficulty finding a test centre, please contact your student advisor at click-courses.com.
IELTS: www.ielts.org
Pearson: www.pearsonpte.com
TOEFL: www.ets.org
Cambridge ESOL www.cambridgeesol.org
When should I sit my Secure English language test?
You will need to pass your secure English test before you can apply for a student visa.
If you are planning to come to the UK to study, you should make arrangements to sit your English test as
early as possible.