Exams for UK visas and immigration

Most students from outside the UK need a Student visa to study in the UK. As part of your visa application, you must prove your level of the English language.

C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are the ideal English language qualifications for anyone who wants to study for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a UK university.

Almost all UK universities accept C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. If you have successfully taken C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency and are accepted by one of these universities, you do not need to take an additional English language exam to support your Student visa application.

You should always check the latest admissions and visa requirements of your chosen institution.

What to do next

1. Contact your chosen UK university to confirm they will accept your C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency result.*
2. Apply to your chosen UK university to receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
3. Use the reference number from your CAS when completing your Student visa application. This number confirms to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you have been accepted to study at a valid UK university.

*Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements. Higher education institutions that are visa Licensed Sponsors can choose how to assess a student’s level of English for courses at degree level and above. Their students do not need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to support their visa applications. Almost all of these universities and colleges accept C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency and IELTS.

For Foundation, Pathway and other below degree-level courses, and for courses at institutions that are not visa Licensed Sponsors, you may need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to support your UK Student visa application.

If the institution requires a SELT, we recommend IELTS for UKVI.

We recommend IELTS for UKVI.

IELTS for UKVI is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) recognised for all categories of UK visa.

OET is a healthcare-specific test designed to meet the needs of doctors, nurses and midwives. It can be used for both professional registration and visa purposes.

IELTS is also accepted for all categories of healthcare work in the UK.

International students usually require a visa to study in the UK. From January 2021, the following requirements apply to both EU/EEA and Swiss nationals¹ and non-EU nationals.

Please also check the websites of your chosen institutions/courses and UK Visas and Immigration for full details about their latest requirements and how to apply.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from taking an English Language Test if any of the following apply:

• You are a national of a majority English speaking country.³
• You have an academic degree taught in English.⁴
• You have met the requirement successfully in a previous immigration application.
• You have already passed an approved English test in the two years before your date of application.
• You have a GCSE, A Level of Scottish equivalent in English language or literature, studied at a UK school whilst below the age of 18.
• You are aged 65 or over.
• You are aged under 18.
• You have a disability which prevents you meeting the requirement.

Please visit the UKVI website for full details on all exemptions.

Immigration routes with no English requirements

You may not need to take an English Language test for the following immigration routes:

• The Child Student route, for students aged between 4 and 17 when applying.
• The English Language Study route, for students taking English language courses lasting six to 11-months.
• Short-term study of up to six months, which is permitted under the standard visit route.⁵

Notes

¹Please note that nationals of the Republic of Ireland do not need a visa to study in the UK.
²The term ‘Student Route’ has replaced what was previously called ‘Tier 4’.
³Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Republic of Ireland; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America.
⁴The qualification is from an educational establishment in one of the countries in the above list, except Canada or Malta.
⁵If you do not normally need a visa to visit the UK, you can study for up to 6 months without applying in advance.

A visa may be needed for all activities other than short-term visits. From January 2021, the following requirements apply to both EU/EEA and Swiss nationals¹ and non-EU nationals.

Please visit the UKVI website to see their latest requirements and check if you need a UK visa.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from taking a Secure English Language Test (SELT) if any of the following apply:

• You have met the requirement successfully in a previous immigration application.
• You are a national of a majority English speaking country.³
• You have an academic degree taught in English.⁴
• You are a healthcare professional, who has passed an English language test accepted by your professional body.⁵

There are a range of further exemptions specific to each visa. Please visit the UKVI website for full details.

Immigration routes with no English requirements

• Global Talent⁶
• Graduate Route
• Intra-Company Transfers and Intra-Company Graduate Trainees
• Youth Mobility Scheme
• Sporting Route: Sportsperson (temporary leave)
• Creative Route
• Charity Route
• Religious Workers (shorter-term)
• Government Authorised Exchange
• International Agreement
• UK Ancestry

Notes

¹Please note that nationals of the Republic of Ireland do not need a visa to study in the UK.
²The ‘Skilled Worker Route’ will replace what was previously called ‘Tier 2’ (General). The UK are also exploring proposals for an additional ‘Highly Skilled Workers Route’.
³Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Republic of Ireland; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America.
⁴The qualification is from an educational establishment in one of the countries in the above list, except Canada or Malta.
⁵Doctors, nurses and midwives can use OET or IELTS for both their visa and professional registration. IELTS is accepted for all categories of healthcare work.
⁶The ‘Global Talent Route’ has replaced what was previously called ‘Tier 1’ (Exceptional Talent).