English language requirements

When you apply for a Student Route visa, you need to prove your English language ability.

If you need a Student Route visa to study a below degree course (RQF level 3 or 4), e.g. International Foundation, Further Education or Pre-sessional English Language courses, you need to take a test recognised by the Home Office. This is called a Secure English Language Test. UCA accepts SELT tests below.

• IELTS for UKVI
• LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic UKVI
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) SELT (if you are in the UK)
• PSI SELT (if you are outside the UK)

The SELT is only valid for two years, so if you have taken it before applying to UCA, please make sure it is still in date.

If you need a Student Route visa, you do not need to take a SELT if one of the following applies:

• You study a degree course (RQF level 6 or above).
• AND; you have taken one of the accepted non-SELT tests listed below within two years of your start date.
• You are a national of a majority English speaking country, as defined by the UKVI, and have taken your academic qualifications in that country. 

What test do you need to take if you want to study at UCA?

COVID-19 and new tests

In order to support students who are impacted by the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we have approved the following English language tests on an exceptional basis.  These will be accepted for September 2022 and February 2023. From September 2023 entry onwards, online tests will no longer be accepted. We will continue to monitor the situation globally, and adapt this again if we need to.

• IELTS Indicator
• TOEFL At-Home and Essentials
• PSI Skills for English test (UKVI four skills version)
• IELTS online
• Oxford Test of English
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Online

Please note that only for students from China, we exceptionally accept the LanguageCert At-home version for Sept 22 and Feb 23 entry if the physical centres are unavailable due to the COVID-19 lockdown. For further information, please contact the international admissions team at internationaladmissions@uca.ac.uk.

International Foundation courses

Further Education courses (Diploma and Extended Diploma)

BA/BSc courses

BA/BSc with Integrated International Foundation & MA/MSc with Integrated International Pre-Masters courses

MA/MSc & MBA courses

Research degrees

Further information

You can find more information about SELTs on the following pages: 

• For IELTS tests, see www.ielts.org and www.takeielts.britishcouncil.org
• For Trinity College London tests, see www.trinitycollege.co.uk

If you are applying for an undergraduate course at UCA, we will consider equivalent academic qualifications from your home country.

We can also accept the UK, USA or internationally recognised qualifications as evidence of your English language efficiency. Please check the list below.

Please note that in general, there is a two year's validity of the English qualifications, so please check with us if you're not sure whether your English qualification can be used in place of a SELT or UCA approved test.

If you are applying for a postgraduate course at UCA, the following undergraduate qualification is required. 

• You have successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree (or Master's degree), or 2-3 years' undergraduate qualification from a recognised university (according to UK ENIC) in one of the majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UKVI, within the last 3 years from Non-ST22.1 country or 5 years from ST22.1 country as defined by the UKVI; Or
• You have successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree  (or Master's degree) with at least two years of studies, or 2-3 years' undergraduate qualification from a recognised university (according to UK ENIC), where the Method of Instruction was entirely in English (teaching and assessment), within the last 3 years from Non-ST22.1 country or 5 years from ST22.1 country as defined by the UKVI, subject to UCA approval. Please note that we can no longer accept method of instruction from South Asia from Sept 23 entry onwards when applying for a Business programme.