ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
How To Prove Your English Language Abilities
There are numerous instances where a person needs to prove their English proficiency. When you apply for a visa to live, work, or study in the UK, you may be asked to prove your English proficiency if English is not your native language. Read this article to find out how to go about the process, the institutions that can help, and the tests involved.
When Do You Need To Prove Your English Language Skills?
You will need to prove your English competency when you wish to:
- • Apply for British citizenship
- • Seek settled status in the UK
- • Apply to UK Universities
- • Obtain a skilled worker visa
Entry to a British university and access to a skilled worker visa require evidence of your English language level. However, there are some exceptions to those applying for settled status and British citizenship which may exempt them from this requirement.
If you come from a country where English is the national language (as listed here), you can forgo the proof of the English Profiency.
How Can You Prove Your English Proficiency in the UK?
To prove your English language skills, you must take one of the approved examinations. These tests assess the candidate's speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. Some tests go further and include grammar and vocabulary.
Usually, the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is used to grade the English competency of the person taking the test. Depending on tge grade obatined, CEFR places the candidate's language ability into different categories, such as:
| Beginner | A1 |
| Elementary | A2 |
| Intermediate | B1 |
| Upper Intermediate | B2 |
| Advanced | C1 |
| Master | C2 |
To prove you have a good standard of English, most institutions require you to reach the B1 grade as a minimum score.
Which Are the Approved English Language Test Providers?
If the applicant is already in the UK, these providers are accepted to prove English language proficiency:
- • Pearson (Pearson PTE Home and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI)
- • LanguageCert (LanguageCert International ESOL SELT)
- • IELTS SELT Consortium (IELTS Life Skills and IELTS for UKVI)
- • Trinity College London (Graded Examinations in Spoken English and ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI' – Integrated Skills in English)
Those outside the UK can use these providers:
- • Pearson
- • LanguageCert
- • IELTS SELT Consortium
- • PSI Services (UK) Ltd (Skills for English UKVI)
All these tests meet the required B1 level based on the CEFR grading system.
Proof of English Proficiency For University Admission
For University admission, the above tests are accepted to prove a person's language skills (though you should check with the institution in question to confirm acceptability). In addition, they will also recognise tests conducted by Cambridge English Advanced and any providers providing a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) qualification.
What Are The Exams Like?
The tests by the various companies are available to sit in person or online though the booking, and the payments are concluded online. Some companies are only available in certain countries, so you must pick one that provides these services in your area.
The process is straightforward: you choose the course on the company website, pick a suitable time, provide the necessary documents, and make the payment. The final step is attending the test and taking the examination.
Those seeking to become British citizens must also sit a separate "Life In The UK" test.
What Documentation Is Needd To Book a Language Profiency Test?
To book an English test, you will need to provide the following:
- • Passport (though other documents such as a valid travel document
- • Government Identification card
- • Biometric Residence Card or permit)
- • Address details
- • An email address
- • Credit or debit card for payment
What's the average cost and length of an English Profiency Exam?
The length of these tests varies, but most are about 2 hours long. The costs vary from provider to provider and the test undertaken, but you can expect to pay a fee between £100 to £200.
Proving Your English Proficiency with a Degree Taught In English
Other than taking a test based on the CEFR grading system, a degree researched or taught in English is sufficient to prove a person's English language skills. If the degree was from a University based in the UK, the degree certificate is all the proof that is required. If a UK university did not award the qualification, the applicant will need to provide the following:
- • A copy of the degree certificate
- • Ecctis, formerly known as Naric, must provide an Academic Qualification Level Statement to verify the degree is comparable to a degree obtained from a UK University
- • Ecctis must provide an English Language Proficiency Statement to verify the degree was taught in English
Not everyone must take an English language test for British citizenship or settlement. The groups of people listed here are not subject to requiring a test.
Show Off Your English Skills!
Proficiency in the English language skill is a prerequisite to becoming a settled person in the UK, obtaining British citizenship, studying at a University, or gaining a visa. Many tests are available to prove your English competence at reasonable costs. If you need to prove your level of English, we hope you pass one of the approved exams with flying colours!