English level requirement for UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV)

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UK Tier 4 General Student Visa GSV

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 (12th 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.

51 thoughts on “English level requirement for UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV)”

  2. Dear sirs,

    The UKBA requires the TOEFL ibt score, but I have taken the pbt test which score is above the required score, if converted. Let me know whether the UKBA can accept it or not. My test result is still valid. Thank you!

  3. Hi John,

    The UKBA does not require a TOEFL iBT score. They require that you must have a B2 level at minimum according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. A TOEFL iBT score is just one way to show that you have a minimum B2 level. A paper-based test should also suffice. Often, you can even use an IELTS test score or a Cambridge exam test score.

    It really depends on the sponsoring organization (your university, college, or school in the UK) who will be issuing your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You should check with your sponsor and find out if a TOEFL PBT score is acceptable. I suspect it should be.

    Thanks for dropping by!

  4. To whom it may concern,

    I have recently been issued a CAS from my university in the UK, and I am currently applying for a tier 4 visa. I am asked to state the type of English language test, would it be okay if I put down my IGCSE English first Language qualification? It’s a Cambridge International Examination qualification I completed two years ago.

    Furthermore, nowhere on the UKBA’s list of approved english test does it say CIE, however there are many Cambridge test. What should I do?

    thanks!

  5. Hi Lucas, the IGCSE English first language qualification should be sufficient proof — of course, depending on what your score is. The best thing to do would be to check with your sponsoring organization, as they are the ones who need to judge your English level and issue your CAS. Good luck!

  6. Dear Karen,
    Could you please do me a favor? My sponsor asked me to provide my TOEFL pbt qualification with my visa application.If my sponsor say so,can I be confident for my visa? My CAS has also been issued. My score is 550 and 5.0 in TWE. Do you think it can be assured at CEFR level B2? Should I apply for my visa with this now? I am prepare to take the IELTS test. I don’t want my visa application to be delayed or refused. Thank you

    John

  7. Hi John, did you take your TOEFL test within the last 2 years? Make sure that you did, as the UKBA only accepts test scores from the last 2 years.

    The UKBA requires a minimum of the ff. scores for a TOEFL Internet-based test. They look at the individual scores on listening, reading, writing, and speaking, not just the total score.

    Listening – 13
    Reading – 8
    Writing – 17
    Speaking – 19

    For more information, have a look at these two links below:
    Approved UKBA tests and minimum scores required
    TOEFL score conversion table: Internet-based, computer-based, and paper-based scores

  8. My name is amanpreet singh. I have recently been issued a CAS from my college in the UK, and I am currently applying for a tier 4 visa. My IELTS Score is overall 5.5 List-5.5, Read-5.5, Wri-5.5, Speak-5.0. plz tell me my qualification level. Is my level B1 or B2?

  10. Dear Sir/Madam

    Please I would need an advice or better put, your point of view on this because I am really nervous. I was issued my CAS for my visa pbs tier 4. Actually I had an interview with the head of my department before I got my admission. Now, on my CAS, it was stated -“Interview with student in French and English (Applicant does not require an IELTS certificate). So I didn’t submit any evidence of an English Language Test. My question is, would my visa application be refused due to the fact that my sponsor didn’t go all way writing, for example, “Applicant has the minimum CEFR B1 level”? I am waiting for the result of my application, but I’d be happy to know what you think. I submitted everyother required document.

    Thank you.

  11. Hi Goodness, I can understand why you are concerned. I would suggest contacting your sponsor and discussing this matter with them. Because the UKBA regulations are fairly new, there are lots of gray areas. For example, we also work with schools that conduct their own tests and don’t require students to present one of the
    approved UKBA tests. If you are really concerned, go ahead and contact your sponsor. If they confirm that what they have stated is fine, I would suggest that you still provide copies of your test scores when you submit your Tier 4 GSV application to the UK embassy. Good luck!

  12. Hi,

    I need help in the PBS Appendix 8 form. I am not sure how to fill up part 5 of the form. I have given my Edexcel O-levels including English Language but I don’t know whether it meets the minimum CEFR B1 English Language requirement. Could you help me fill up that part (5.11) and I don’t have an award reference number?

    Thanks

    Manasvi

  14. Good Day sir,
    My name is umar, sir I have gotten an offer and my cas statement to study a bridging year course in a british university and I have a toefl score of:
    Reading- 11
    Listening- 13
    Speaking- 15
    Writing- 14
    Sir I don’t know with my scores will I be giving a student visa.

  15. Hi Karen,
    I need your advice. Could you please help me related to on question.
    In appendix 8 PBS, there is such a question: Are you going to UK to study a non English language course?
    Yes, I am (Educational Management) , but do not know what to choose Yes, or YES-below NQF level 6? I read the whole guidance but couldn’t understand the difference.
    And one more detail, what should I write for level of qualification :
    B1 or my IELTS score 7.5 ?

    Thanks in advance

  16. Hi Karen Ong,

    I find your assistance very beneficial and I personally would like to thank you for answering my previous questions. There is still something I want to know and I can’t find it on the site. What I want to know is this: once I have been refused, how many months or years I will have to wait to reapply for the same visa? Thank you .

    Yours sincerely,

    John

  17. Hi!
    I was just wondering how up to date is the information about the scores needed for the visa on UKBA website?

    I’m not applying for tier 4 but tier 2, phoned UKBA a few times just to confirm the min score needed for TOEFL iBT and never got an answer. Answer they gave me was more like ‘figure it out yourself’.
    The pdf document says 87, but the points based calculator says both 87 and 110, which is really confusing.
    I scored 109/120 on iBT. And even though everyone says it’s a great score I’m not so sure about it.

    This might not be the place to look for an answer but I don’t know who to ask for info.

    Thank you

  18. Hi i am applying for a visa under tier 4 in a couple weeks and i still dont know if my gcse olevel(cambridge universities) grade D or my A-level in general paper(cambridge universities) grade c is high enough as level of english test requirement for tier 4. Can you help me and state how do a-level and olevel in english are rated on the CEFR???

  21. Hi John, I am happy to hear that my earlier answer helped you. In case you are denied a visa, you will receive a letter from the UKBA explaining the reasons why your visa application was denied. It depends on what the cause for the denial is. If it’s as simple as there are some missing documents, you can reapply right away. But if it’s because of something like your English test scores are not sufficient, then you need to retake the test before reapplying.

  22. Hi Umar, your Listening score is below the minimum, so I would suggest that you retake the test and focus on improving that. The UKBA requires a minimum of the ff. scores for a TOEFL Internet-based test. They look at the individual scores on listening, reading, writing, and speaking, not just the total score.

    Listening – 13
    Reading – 8
    Writing – 17
    Speaking – 19

    For more information on the minimum scores and how your TOEFL paper based scores convert into Internet based scores, have a look at these two links below:
    Approved UKBA tests and minimum scores required
    TOEFL score conversion table: Internet-based, computer-based, and paper-based scores

  25. Hi, Im applying for a Tier 4 visa (a general english course), and i am a bit nervous because the agency i am applying through has asked me to give them a certificate stating that my level of english was B1, but my university made me a certificate with written “high intermediate level”.. so my concern is if this difference in stating my level can affect my application.. also because they told me that my sponsor will test my english too, so im wondering if they could state B1 instead..
    Thanks in advance

  26. Dear Karen Ong,

    I have applied for my UK visa with TOEFL paper based test whereas the UKBA requires TOEFL Internet based test or IELTS. my application is still being considered. They said it is taken under certain case which is not explained to me. can this be said that I use false document?
    I have also taken IELTS test and the result will be know on 8th Oct,. If I am refused a visa due to English language case, do you think I can reapply immediately with my IELTS result? or if my application is still being considered to that day, should I provide my IELTS report form? and will I need to pay fees again for reapplication?
    I hope you will sympathetically consider my case and will respond me at your earliest convenience.

    Yours sincerely,
    John

  29. Good day sir,
    i have completed my english exm through pearson and got overall 41, cas latter from colledge and NOE from MCA (UK). i wanted to do the OOW(Marine) related course from uk which is under tire 4 can i apply my visa.
    please advise us your regard vickysinha

  30. I’m hoping to apply for a tier 4 visa. Although I have done TOEIC english test. But I wanna know whether that is approved by UKBA. If it’s okay I’m ready to apply soon. Please help me. Thank you.

  31. Dear sir,
    I’m hoping to apply for a tier 4 visa. Although I have done TOEIC english test. But I wanna know whether that is approved by UKBA. If it’s okay I’m ready to apply soon. Please help me. Thank you.

  32. I HAve recieved CAS letter from sunderland university and my country representative has told me that IELTS is no more required due to your scholarship and the university has skiped your english testing Certidicate on experience and Recomendation behalf of the my representative.would like to know about the restrictions and requirments on UKBA in this case,thanks

  33. I HAve recieved CAS letter from sunderland university and my country representative has told me that IELTS is no more required due to your scholarship and the university has skipped your english testing Certificate on experience and Recommendation behalf of the my representative.would like to know about the restrictions and requirements on UKBA in this case,thanks

  34. Dear sir,
    I’m hoping to apply for a tier 4 visa. Although I have done TOEIC English test. But I want to know whether TOEIC has approved by UKBA before apply. Please help me.
    Thank you.

  35. Dear Karen Ong,
    Please do I need test of english to study English as a foreign language?
    Thanks

  36. Dear sir,
    My name is Fabrice, I scored 57 at the toefl ibt listening 13, reading 15, speaking 15 and writing 14. I will like to know if I can obtain the visa

  37. Dear sir,
    My name is Fabrice, I scored 57 at the toefl ibt listening 13, reading 15, speaking 15 and writing 14. I will like to know if I can obtain the visa to study in UK

  38. Dear Karen

    I am currently a Chinese PhD student in France, and I am working for an European project. The first year I have passed in France, and for the next two years, I have to stay in the UK.

    Now I am preparing for applying for a tier 4 (General) Visa and my university in the UK will issue a CAS for me recently. Concerning the documents required for the application under Tier 4 (General), I want to know whether I need an English test result, since I already have a master degree in science degree in China. If I really need a type of English language test, would it be okay if I use my TOEIC Test result of last year. Actually I had a TOEIC score but TOEIC is not in the list of approved English tests for Tier 4 visa. so i want to ask whether it is necessary for me to pass another type of English test, like TOEFL or IELTS?

    Thank you very much!

  39. Dear Karen,
    I’ve been issued a CAS from a college in Oxford and im applying for a Tier 4 Visa, I only have IGCSE English second language as an English test with a grade *C* is it enough to obtain the visa?

    Regards
    Hamed

  40. hi,
    I applyed for english language at EC college; my visa is not finished yet, but I got my IELTS. Now, I wanna change it to general student visa for university. Is it possible to change it from inside of Uk, or I should leave the country and try again?
    Thank you.

  41. Hi . i have applied for PhD programme in london in life science.Did i require IELTS as my course is above NQF level 6.I have maharashtra government India scholarship paying me full education cost along with living expanses.

  42. Tarun, the UK requires you to demonstrate proficiency in English. An IELTS score is just one of the many ways to show that you are proficient in English. I suspect that if you are a level 6 NQF, you won’t need to submit an IELTS score. That should be sufficient proof of your language skills.

  44. Vicky,

    The UKBA will also recognize the Pearson Test of English (PTE), so you can use that score to apply for a UK Tier 4 Student Visa. However, the minimum PTE score required is 43, your score is below the minimum. I would suggest that you retake the test to increase your chances of getting a visa.

    For more information on the minimum scores, have a look at this link: approved UKBA tests and minimum scores required.

  45. Meiling,

    You should be able to use your TOEIC exam results without any problems, since TOEIC is also a globally recognized English test. Good luck!

  46. Fabrice, congratulations! Your TOEFL ibT score meets the minimum required by the UKBA. Here are the minimum scores required:

    Listening – 13
    Reading – 8
    Writing – 17
    Speaking – 19

  47. Patra, what type of visa did you apply for initially? Did you apply for a Student Visitor Visa and want to change it to the Tier 4 Student Visa? If so, please remember that you cannot change your visa status while in the UK. You have to do this in your home country. If you have not left your home country yet, you may be able to change your visa. Just check with the UK Consulate. But if you’re already in the UK. you have to return to your home country to get your visa changed.

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