Which English proficiency tests does the U.K. accept?
There are 4 methods to demonstrate your English proficiency for a U.K. study visa. For most students, the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is the easiest.
Which English proficiency tests are accepted by U.K. universities?
In general, U.K. universities accept the major English proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS, and the Duolingo English Test. You can also submit scores from the Cambridge English Qualifications.
However, each university decides which tests it accepts. You should be sure to check with each university you're considering to make sure that you have English proficiency tests scores that they take. For example, more universities accept IELTS (which is maintained by British institutions) than TOEFL (which is maintained by an American company).
The DET is a safe choice because it is accepted by all major U.K. universities including University of Southampton, Imperial College London, University of Warwick, University of Liverpool, and University of York.
Which English proficiency tests are accepted by the U.K. government?
In order to get a student visa for the U.K., you need to demonstrate your English proficiency in one of 4 ways:
- Obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university
- Have a GCSE or equivalent degree from the U.K. (e.g. Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5)
- Have a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree from a program taught in English
- Pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT)
For most students, method #1 will be the easiest. Once you are admitted to a university program, they can issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which demonstrates that your English level is sufficient for that program. You then submit the CAS with your visa application.
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