English language entry requirements
Tier 4 General Student
Students applying for Tier 4 General must complete and pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT). The current list of approved tests can be found here.
All students requiring a SELT will need to take an IELTS for UKVI test at an approved SELT centre. The list of approved centres can also be found in the link above.
Please note that students progressing from a Tier 4 Child visa to a Tier 4 General visa are exempt from the SELT requirement if they have successfully completed a course in the UK as a Tier 4 (Child) student or as a student under rules in force before 31 March 2009, where they were under 18 when granted leave, provided the course was at least six months long and it was completed no more than two years before the CAS was assigned.
Tier 4 Child Student
Secure English Language Tests (SELT)
Exemptions
Only the following types of students are not required to undertake a SELT in order to obtain a Tier 4 General visa:
Tier 4 General Student
Students applying for Tier 4 General must complete and pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT). The current list of approved tests can be found here.
All students requiring a SELT will need to take an IELTS for UKVI test at an approved SELT centre. The list of approved centres can also be found in the link above.
Please note that students progressing from a Tier 4 Child visa to a Tier 4 General visa are exempt from the SELT requirement if they have successfully completed a course in the UK as a Tier 4 (Child) student or as a student under rules in force before 31 March 2009, where they were under 18 when granted leave, provided the course was at least six months long and it was completed no more than two years before the CAS was assigned.
- RQF/QCF/NQF Level 3-5: CEFR Level B1 (IELTS 4.0 minimum in all 4 components)
- RQF/QCF/NQF Level 6+: CEFR Level B2 (IELTS 5.5 minimum in all 4 components)
Tier 4 Child Student
- There is no need for a Secure English Language Test (SELT) as Cambridge Education Group can self-assess entry level of English (with no minimum restriction) and recommend appropriate English training to each student's needs
- Students can take English language modules before their main academic course under one single CAS (as long as they are 16 or over and joining Pre: Programme/A Level/IB Diploma course)
- Further details about the Tier 4 General student visa can be found here.
- Further details about the Tier 4 Child student visa can be found here.
Secure English Language Tests (SELT)
Exemptions
Only the following types of students are not required to undertake a SELT in order to obtain a Tier 4 General visa:
- Tier 4 General applicants who are 1) sponsored by a Higher Education Institute (HEI) for 2) courses at or above RQF/QCF/NQF Level 6.
- Tier 4 Child applicants
- Students who have successfully completed a course in the UK as a Tier 4 (Child) student or as a student under rules in force before 31 March 2009, where they were under 18 when granted leave, provided the course was at least six months long and it was completed no more than two years before the CAS was assigned.
- Nationals from a majority English-speaking country
- Students who have completed an academic qualification equivalent to a UK degree which was taught in a majority English-speaking country (with the exception of Canada), including UK.
- Book a UKVI SELT test as early as possible before your intended course start date - centres are limited and may get booked up quickly
- Use the Tier 4 Child route where possible
- Use the Short-Term Study route, especially where students risk failing the CEFR Level B1 (minimum IELTS 4.0 or equivalent in all of the four components)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and New Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
