Skip to main content

View related sites

  • Global recognition
  • Agents
  • Consultancy
  • Research
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Change Language

Cambridge Assessment English

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Why choose us?

    Why choose us?

    • Who accepts our exams?
    • Visas and immigration
    • English language skills in the workplace
    • Study abroad
    • Producing exams
    • Ensuring quality and fairness
    • Start accepting Cambridge English exams
  • Exams and tests

    Exams and tests

    • Cambridge English Qualifications
    • Schools
    • General and higher education
    • Business
    • Pre A1 Starters (YLE Starters)
    • A1 Movers (YLE Movers)
    • A2 Flyers (YLE Flyers)
    • A2 Key for Schools (KET)
    • B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET)
    • B2 First for Schools (FCE)
    • A2 Key (KET)
    • B1 Preliminary (PET)
    • B2 First (FCE)
    • C1 Advanced (CAE)
    • C2 Proficiency (CPE)
    • B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary)
    • B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage)
    • C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher)
    • Linguaskill
    • BULATS
    • IELTS
    • Useful links

    • Test your English
    • Cambridge English Placement Test
    • How to register
    • Book an exam
    • What to expect on exam day
    • Study English in the UK
    • See exam results online
    • Cambridge English Scale
    • International language standards explained
    • Information for preparation centres
  • Learning English

    Learning English

    • Free activities
    • Exam preparation
    • Test your English
    • Parents and children
    • Games and social media
    • More resources
  • Teaching English

    Teaching English

    • Resources for teachers
    • Webinars for teachers
    • Cambridge English Teaching Framework
    • Cambridge English Trainer Framework
    • Teaching qualifications and courses
    • Language for Teaching
    • CELTA
    • TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test)
    • CELT-P
    • CELT-S
    • ICELT
    • Delta
    • Certificate in EMI Skills
    • Train the Trainer
    • Cambridge English for examiners
    • Information for preparation centres
  • Blog
  • News
  • Events
  • Help

    Help

    • Lost certificates
    • Corporate social responsibility
    • Malpractice
    • Enquiries and appeals
    • Complaints
    • Special requirements
    • Special considerations
  • About us
  • Consultancy
  • Research
  • Contact us

You are here:

  1. Cambridge English
  2. Why choose us?
  3. Visas and immigration
  4. UK
  5. UK university applications

Cambridge English exams for UK university applications

  • UK
    • UK university applications
Webinar for agents

Learn more about exams for UK university applications.

Watch the webinar

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) made important changes to the English language requirements for overseas students in 2015.

Following these changes, some students wishing to study on courses below degree level (e.g. foundation and pathway courses) are required to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI, as part of their visa application.

However, most students applying for degree-level study or higher (e.g. undergraduate and postgraduate courses) do not need to take a SELT, but instead have to meet the English language requirements of the institution they apply to. Almost all UK universities accept Cambridge English: Advanced and Cambridge English: Proficiency for entrance purposes.


Which Cambridge English exams can you use?

Check the quick guide below to see if you need a student visa or SELT, and find out which Cambridge English exam is best to help you apply to study in the UK.

Are you a student from:

The EU, EEA or Switzerland? No visa required.

You must meet the English language requirements of the institution you apply to. Almost all UK universities accept Cambridge English: Advanced and Cambridge English: Proficiency. 

Cambridge English: First is also accepted for foundation and pathway courses.

Find an exam centre

Outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland, studying at below degree level?

Visa required – students must take a SELT.

We recommend IELTS for UKVI.

Find an IELTS for UKVI test centre

Outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland, studying at degree level or higher?

Visa – but no SELT required.

You must achieve a minimum B2 level of English and meet the English language requirements of the institution you apply to*. Almost all UK universities accept Cambridge English: Advanced and Cambridge English: Proficiency.

Find an exam centre

A citizen of a country where English is spoken as an official language?

Visa may be needed – but no SELT required.

The institution you apply to may still ask you to meet its English language requirements – check with your chosen university. Almost all UK universities accept Cambridge English: Advanced and Cambridge English: Proficiency

Find an exam centre

* This applies to institutions on the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors. Nearly all UK universities are on this list – check if yours is here. If it isn't, you will need to take a SELT

Find out more

  • Read more about language tests for UK Visas and Immigration – download our FAQs. 
  • Download the UK university admissions postcard.
  • Learn more about studying in the UK. 
  • Check the UK Visas and Immigration website for the latest information and requirements. 

See which Cambridge English exams your chosen UK university accepts.

On this site

  • Home
  • Why Cambridge English?
  • Exams and tests
  • Learning English
  • Teaching English
  • News
  • Events
  • Help
  • About us
  • Who accepts our exams?
  • Agents
  • Consultancy
  • Research
  • Contact us
  • ALTE logo
  • English Profile logo
  • Cambridge University Press
  • Cambridge Assessment logo
  • BSI Logo

View Related Sites

  • Cambridge English main site
  • Cambridge English helpdesk
  • Cambridge English Teacher
  • Cambridge English Penfriends
  • Cambridge English Schools
  • Cambridge English Online
  • Cambridge English for Centres
  • Preparation Centres Online
  • Examiner website
  • Results Verification Service
  • Occupational English Test
  • Cambridge University Press
  • ALTE
  • English Profile
  • Cambridge Assessment
  • Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing
  • CaMLA

Copyright ©  UCLES

  • Terms & conditions
  • Data protection
  • Accessibility statement
  • Statement on modern slavery
  • Sitemap
Back to top
We use cookies. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies Accept