Exclusive: Sample data reveals which English tests are used to successfully apply to the UK

IELTS is the dominant test in the data, followed by Pearson Test of English

While 64.6% of CAS-holders took a language test for entry, the other 35.4% of successful applicants met language conditions through exemptions or benchmarking of previous qualifications

The data is timely as the UK government begins to review English language qualifications used for visa application

The data was shared with The PIE News by admissions platform Enroly, which currently processes a third of international student applications to the UK.

The platform has a sector-wide view of the language tests being used for university applications, including those who get listed on a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) as having met language requirements for a visa application.

It shows that 64.6% of university offers that proceeded to CAS’s issuance stage and passed through the Enroly platform in the 2023/24 recruitment cycle had taken an English language test to meet language conditions.

However, only 51% of students had taken a test that features on the government’s approved list of secure English language tests – known as SELTs.

IELTS is the dominant test for proving English language proficiency, with the test named on 34.32% of CASs issued. The majority of UK universities use IELTS alongside the CEFR framework to benchmark English qualifications.

Pearson Test of English had the next significant share, used by 7.9% of successful university offer holders shown in the application data.

The other two approved SELTs, LanguageCert and PSI Services (UK) – Skills for English (UKVI), were used in less than 5% of CASs issued.

English language qualification / exemptionNumber of applications (%)English assessed based on previous qualification27.92Exempt as from approved English speaking country
/ requirements met in prior student visa7.48IELTS*34.32Pearson Test of English*7.9Other secure English language test (SELT)9.68Other non-SELT language test12.7*Denotes government-listed SELT. Other SELTs have been grouped together as having less than 5% share each.

The student visa system in the UK allows universities to assess an applicant’s English language levels when issuing a CAS number for a visa application by proving they are equivalent to a CEFR level B2 or higher.

This means UK universities have the discretion to benchmark other language tests as evidence of meeting the equivalent standard of English.

Alternative non-SELT tests that are accepted by some UK universities include the TOEFL IBT, Duolingo English Test, Oxford Test of English, Oxford International Digital Institute, Kaplan International Test of English and Password.

Combined, non-SELT tests were successfully used by 12.7% of applicants in the data, either for CAS or visa issuance.

The remaining 35.4% of applicants had their English language assessed by university admissions benchmarking previous qualications (27.92%) or exemption due to previous visas or students originating from one of the government’s list of English-speaking countries (7.48%).

Common acceptable equivalencies to a language test would include the study of English in a national curriculum such as WAEC (Nigeria), Abitur (Germany), HKCEE (Hong Kong) and Standard XII (India) at a specified grade.

International qualications such the European or International Baccalaureate are are often recognised, along with degrees taught and assessed entirely in English from designated institutions.

If you’re studying at degree level or above, your Higher Education Provider (HEP) can assess your level of English themselves. This means they may ask you to do a different test. This must still be equivalent to a CEFR level B2
UK Home Office

Commenting on the data, Jeff Williams, founder of Enroly, said: “Whilst this is just a data sample, we hope it offers valuable insight into the scale of alternative methods universities are using to benchmark language qualifications. University admissions teams are doing an outstanding job evaluating diverse qualifications, ensuring students have multiple ways to demonstrate their English language proficiency.

“An additional layer of rigour we use to further support our University partners is through our asynchronous interview video technology, that uses AI to assess, analyse and cross references students interview for English language capability and flags any discrepancy. This provides a further benchmark against transitional tests. Currently, we conduct around 50,000 interviews per year for the sector.” 

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