More Secure English Language Test Opportunities for International Students

To study with CATS Colleges or Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts in the UK, students from non-EU countries are likely to need a visa.

To obtain a visa, students from non-English speaking countries need to demonstrate their English language proficiency for their chosen study programme.

Students applying for a Tier 4 Child Visa or a degree level plus study programme, can have their English language proficiency assessed directly by their chosen college. However, other Tier 4 students will be required to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests), the UK Government department responsible for issuing visas, has recently extended its list of approved SELTs, giving international students greater choice and more opportunity to demonstrate their English language level for visa purposes to study in the UK.

In addition to IELTS for UKVI and Integrated Skills in English, offered by Trinity College London, international students can now start to book the following UKVI approved SELTs: Pearson PTE UKVI and LanguageCert International ESOL SELT. H (https://www.catscolleges.com/ugc-1/1/3/0/selt_entry_requirements.pdf)ere’s an overview of the entry requirements needed for our programmes of study in the UK. (https://www.catscolleges.com/ugc-1/1/3/0/selt_entry_requirements.pdf)

Stephen Carter, Global Sales and Marketing Director at CATS Colleges, comments:

“We welcome the news that the UKVI recognises more SELTs giving international students more opportunities to take to prepare for their studies in the UK.

“This is especially important as the impact of COVID-19 has meant that SELT Test Centres around the world have been closed recently, creating a backlog. The good news is, we are beginning to see a phased reopening as countries lift restrictions.”

Pearson PTE Academic UKVI can be taken at various testing centres around the world. Eleven of 20 locations opened in May 2020. They are:

The remaining nine testing centres will open once individual Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test centre network. The fully digital test employs AI technology to offer an impartial and highly accurate test of the English language proficiency of test-takers around the world.

There are over 100 testing centres globally. Currently over 30 global SELT centres in Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia (https://www.languagecert.org/Re-opening-Of-Selt-Centres#AB4834A3B9074279850033A2C031C02F) are operational due to COVID-19, complying with local policy and guidelines regarding COVID-19.

From 1 June 2020, testing resumed at some test centres in the United Kingdom.

The remainder of SELT centres are expected to be operational from 1 July 2020, but this date is subject to change based on the evolving circumstances of COVID-19.

The type of visa required will depend on your age and chosen programme. Use our helpful visa guides:

Apply for a UK visa: approved English language tests (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests)

General Student Visa (Tier 4) (https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/knowledge-of-english)

UKVI adds to approved SELT provider list (https://thepienews.com/news/ukvi-awards-multiple-contracts-for-english-language-testing/)

Pearson PTE (https://pearsonpte.com/)

Language Cert: reopening of test centres (https://www.languagecert.org/Re-opening-Of-Selt-Centres#AB4834A3B9074279850033A2C031C02F)