English for non EU Nationals
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, you will have to take a secure English language 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 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: even if you are not required to take a secure English test, you will still have to demonstrate to the college or university sponsoring you that you have a sufficient level of English for your proposed course.
What tests are approved by the UK Border Agency?
The most popular approved tests are IELTS (Academic), Pearson PTE (Academic), Cambridge ESOL and TOEFL (IBT). Other approved tests include City & Guilds ESOL, TOEIC, BEC, ILEC, ICFE and BULATS. Please note that the GCSE and iGCSE English are not approved.
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:
IELTS 4.0 (with a minimum of 4.0 for listening, reading, writing and speaking)
TOEFL iBT (listening – 13, reading – 8, writing – 17, speaking 19)
Pearson PTE Academic (minimum of 36 in listening, reading, writing and speaking)
Cambridge ESOL (Minimum level PET)
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:
IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 for listening, reading, writing and speaking)
TOEFL iBT (listening – 21, reading – 22, writing – 21, speaking 23)
Pearson PTE Academic (minimum of 51 in listening, reading, writing and speaking)
Cambridge ESOL (Minimum level FCE)
Important note: TOEFL, Pearson and IELTS expire after 2 years.
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.