A few days ago, we wrote a post announcing the English level requirement change for those applying for a UK Tier 4 GSV. Unfortunately, the UK Border Agency has today released the following statement in a newsletter:

Level of English language study

Following the judgment made in the Judicial Review case brought by English UK, which challenged the method by which the change to the minimum level of study from A2 on the CEFR to B2 was made earlier this year, we have today made a further amendment to the Immigration Rules setting out the minimum levels of study permitted for different course types under Tier 4.

With effect from 23 July 2010, the minimum level of English language course that will be permitted under Tier 4 will be CEFR level B2, restoring the position in place before the judgment was handed down.  Please note that the exemptions on the minimum level which applied previously to Government-sponsored language students and those undertaking a pre-sessional English language course before pursuing a degree course remain, and further information is available in the revised guidance.

What does this mean in practice?

What this means in practice is that the English language sector will continue to operate as it has been since March of this year, whereby General Student Visa applicants must be able to follow a course of study at level B2.

Whilst this is obviously disappointing news, we expect that EnglishUK will be considering its options regarding further challenges to this ruling, and we will keep you informed of developments on a regular basis.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

UPDATE on September 21, 2010: Download a list of the approved UKBA English tests and required minimum scores to apply for a Tier 4 GSV.

UPDATE on July 22, 2010: Following the judgment made in the Judicial Review case brought by English UK, the UK Border Agency has today released a statement restoring B2 as the minimum level. Read more details about this change in UK immigration rules for the UK Tier 4 GSV.

We have good news to share for international students interested in studying English in the UK for over 6 months and therefore need to apply for the UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV).

After last week’s win in the High Court judicial review case on English language courses under the points based visa system, the required language level for General Student Visas has been dropped to A1 for A2 courses.

The change has taken effect as of last Monday (12^th July 2010) and now we are able to accept and issue CAS numbers for students who wish to travel on a General Student Visa as long as they can prove to be A1 level. The change on the General Student Visa application relates only to the level part, the other rules remain the same.

For students who wish to travel on a General Student Visa, all schools in the UK are able to accept a completion of A1 level certificate from other institutions, but we may require you to submit extra information such as syllabus etc depending on the certificate. Students who can produce a recognised exam result such as TOEFL, IELTS etc or a certificate from a recognised language school taken in the last two years will not be required to submit extra information.

Students who can not prove their level are advised to take a recognised exam. As a last resort, some of our partner language schools are also happy to send a written test  followed by a Skype or MSB interview to establish their level. For tests, we kindly ask you to contact our student advisors so that we can check with the school.

For students who wish to study in the UK for less than 6 months, there are no changes on student visitor visas  — the requirements have remained the same.