Exams for UK visas and immigration

We recommend Cambridge English Qualifications C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency.

These in-depth qualifications are suitable for both admissions and visa requirements. They are accepted by almost all UK universities, including all the top-ranked institutions, and give you the skills you need to succeed in your studies and career.

If you already have an IELTS certificate, this may also be sufficient to apply for a degree-level course, as all UK universities accept IELTS as proof of English ability. IELTS is produced by Cambridge and delivered with our partners British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia.

Universities and colleges, who are visa ‘Licenced Sponsors’, can choose how to assess English language proficiency. You can check whether your institution is licenced on the UK government’s Register of licenced sponsors: Students. Remember to also check your chosen institution’s website. The level of English required by UK Visas and Immigration is often lower than what is required by universities for admissions.

For Foundation, Pathway and other below-degree level courses, you may need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to support your UK student visa application.

If your institution requires a SELT, we recommend IELTS for UKVI.

We recommend IELTS for UKVI.

IELTS for UKVI is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) recognised for all categories of UK visa.

OET is a healthcare-specific test designed to meet the needs of doctors, nurses and midwives. It can be used for both professional registration and visa purposes.

IELTS is also accepted for all categories of healthcare work in the UK.

International students usually require a visa to study in the UK. From January 2021, the following requirements apply to both EU/EEA and Swiss nationals¹ and non-EU nationals.

Please also check the websites of your chosen institutions/courses and UK Visas and Immigration for full details about their latest requirements and how to apply.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from taking an English Language Test if any of the following apply:

• You are a national of a majority English speaking country.³
• You have an academic degree taught in English.⁴
• You have met the requirement successfully in a previous immigration application.
• You have already passed an approved English test in the two years before your date of application.
• You have a GCSE, A Level of Scottish equivalent in English language or literature, studied at a UK school whilst below the age of 18.
• You are aged 65 or over.
• You are aged under 18.
• You have a disability which prevents you meeting the requirement.

Please visit the UKVI website for full details on all exemptions.

Immigration routes with no English requirements

You may not need to take an English Language test for the following immigration routes:

• The Child Student route, for students aged between 4 and 17 when applying.
• The English Language Study route, for students taking English language courses lasting six to 11-months.
• Short-term study of up to six months, which is permitted under the standard visit route.⁵

Notes

¹Please note that nationals of the Republic of Ireland do not need a visa to study in the UK.
²The term ‘Student Route’ has replaced what was previously called ‘Tier 4’.
³Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Republic of Ireland; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America.
⁴The qualification is from an educational establishment in one of the countries in the above list, except Canada or Malta.
⁵If you do not normally need a visa to visit the UK, you can study for up to 6 months without applying in advance.

A visa may be needed for all activities other than short-term visits. From January 2021, the following requirements apply to both EU/EEA and Swiss nationals¹ and non-EU nationals.

Please visit the UKVI website to see their latest requirements and check if you need a UK visa.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from taking a Secure English Language Test (SELT) if any of the following apply:

• You have met the requirement successfully in a previous immigration application.
• You are a national of a majority English speaking country.³
• You have an academic degree taught in English.⁴
• You are a healthcare professional, who has passed an English language test accepted by your professional body.⁵

There are a range of further exemptions specific to each visa. Please visit the UKVI website for full details.

Immigration routes with no English requirements

• Global Talent⁶
• Graduate Route
• Intra-Company Transfers and Intra-Company Graduate Trainees
• Youth Mobility Scheme
• Sporting Route: Sportsperson (temporary leave)
• Creative Route
• Charity Route
• Religious Workers (shorter-term)
• Government Authorised Exchange
• International Agreement
• UK Ancestry

Notes

¹Please note that nationals of the Republic of Ireland do not need a visa to study in the UK.
²The ‘Skilled Worker Route’ will replace what was previously called ‘Tier 2’ (General). The UK are also exploring proposals for an additional ‘Highly Skilled Workers Route’.
³Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Republic of Ireland; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America.
⁴The qualification is from an educational establishment in one of the countries in the above list, except Canada or Malta.
⁵Doctors, nurses and midwives can use OET or IELTS for both their visa and professional registration. IELTS is accepted for all categories of healthcare work.
⁶The ‘Global Talent Route’ has replaced what was previously called ‘Tier 1’ (Exceptional Talent).