Cambridge English exams for UK visas and immigration

In 2015, the UK government announced new requirements for secure English language testing for visa and immigration purposes. These requirements reduced the number of tests on the UK Home Office list of Secure English Language Tests (SELT).

Since the 6 April 2015, IELTS for UKVI (IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English), and a new test called IELTS Life Skills are the only Cambridge English exams included on the UK government list of Secure English Language Tests.

IELTS for UKVI assesses all four language skills and is accepted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) at levels B1 to C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
IELTS Life Skills assesses Speaking and Listening at CEFR level A1 and at CEFR Level B1.

IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills tests for visa purposes must be taken in an approved test centre.
Find a UKVI-approved IELTS test centre

Most students applying for degree-level university study or higher (e.g. undergraduate and postgraduate) do not need to take a SELT. This is because the new SELT arrangements do not apply to applicants for Tier 4 student visas who are applying to study at degree level (or higher) at most UK universities and colleges. They also do not apply for applicants from the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland or ‘majority English speaking countries’ as defined by the UK Home Office. Find out which Cambridge English exams can be used for UK university applications.

To find out whether you need to take an approved test (SELT), what level you need to achieve, and which exam you can use, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), or the British Embassy or High Commission in your country.

FAQs

Which Cambridge English exams are on UKVI’s list of Secure English Language Tests (often referred to as SELT)?

For visa and immigration applications to the UK, you may need to take an English language qualification which is included on the Home Office’s list of Secure English Language Tests (often referred to as SELT tests). The UK government has announced new requirements for secure English language testing for visa and immigration purposes. These requirements reduce the number of tests on the SELT list. IELTS for UKVI and our new test IELTS Life Skills are both included on this revised list. IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills are ideal tests for UK visas and immigration purposes. They are designed to ensure that candidates have the skills they need for success in an English speaking environment, and that they can use the language effectively in a wide range of different contexts.

IELTS Life Skills is for candidates who only need to demonstrate Speaking and Listening skills, at levels A1 or B1 of the CEFR.

Can I still use my Cambridge English exam for UK university and visa applications (Tier 4 student visa)?

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 C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency for entrance purposes.

If you are applying for a Tier 4 student visa you will still be able to use your Cambridge English certificate under the following conditions:

For levels of study at degree level and higher, universities on UKVI’s list of Tier 4 Sponsors (previously Highly Trusted Sponsors) can decide which exams to accept as proof of English language ability. This means you can continue to use Cambridge English exams, including C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, taken at any authorised exam centre, to apply to universities for degree courses (or higher), and some pre-sessional courses, where the exams are accepted.
If you are from the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland, a Tier 4 student visa is not required. You can therefore continue to use Cambridge English exams as proof of English language proficiency for entry to foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, at universities which accept the exams.

Find more information about which Cambridge English exams you can use for UK university applications.

The following table shows the approved Secure English Language Tests offered by Cambridge English and the IELTS test partners.

Visa description	Minimum CEFR level required	Skills	IELTS test and minimum score required overall and in each skill¹
Tier 1 (General) visa	C1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 7.0 overall, and for each of the four skills
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills
Tier 2 (General) visa	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa	A1	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at A1 – Pass IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening²
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa	B2	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 5.5 overall, and for each of the four skills
Tier 4 (General) student visa – below degree level	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills
Tier 4 (General) student visa – degree level and above and including some pre-sessional courses³	B2	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI – 5.5 overall, and for each of the four skills Other Cambridge English exams can also be used at this level of study at Tier 4 Sponsor universities³
‘Family of a settled person’ visa	A1	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at A1 – Pass IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening²
Further leave to remain, for partners and parents on the family route after 2.5 years in the UK⁴	A2	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at A2 – Pass IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening²
Indefinite Leave to Remain (to settle) or Citizenship⁵	B1	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at B1 – Pass IELTS for UKVI – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening²

¹Both General and Academic Training modules are accepted. The CEFR requirement for each skill must be met.
²IELTS for UKVI can be used where IELTS Life Skills is used; candidates would need to get 4.0 or above in Speaking and Listening (scores for Reading and Writing will be ignored).
³Universities on UKVI’s list of Tier 4 Sponsors decide which exams to accept when a SELT is not required, and these may include C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency.
⁴From 01 May 2017. For those on the 5-year route to settlement. Exemptions apply to partners of members of HM Forces, 10-year partner and parent routes, and partners granted leave under Part 8 of the Immigration Rules.
⁵From 12 November 2015, you can no longer use a result from a Cambridge English exam for Citizenship (naturalisation). From 19 November 2015, you can no longer use a result from a Cambridge English exam for Indefinite Leave to Remain (to settle). We strongly recommend taking IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills for these purposes.