English Language Requirements
As part of your visa application you may be required to show that you meet the required level of English language competence to study on your chosen programme.
Supporting evidence required
The evidence that you need to provide as part of your application will vary depending on the kind of programme you are planning to study.
One-Year International Foundation Students
If you have an unconditional offer for the one year International Foundation Year (IFY) programme your CAS will state the exact details of the qualification which you provided to demonstrate that you meet the UKBA’s minimum requirement (level B1 in the CEFR scale in all four components) for this type of programme.
- You MUST provide evidence of your English language qualification with your visa application.
*If you are from a majority English speaking country (please see below) this will be stated on your CAS and you will not have to provide any further evidence.
Pre-sessional English Language Students
If you have an unconditional offer for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes and a conditional offer for your main degree programme, your CAS will state the exact qualification which you provided to demonstrate that you meet the UKBA’s minimum requirement (level B1 in the CEFR scale in all four components) for this type of programme.
- You MUST provide evidence of your English language qualification with your visa application.
If you have an unconditional offer for both the pre-sessional programme and your main degree programme your CAS will state that your level of English has been assessed as B2 on the CEFR scale in all four components but will NOT give details of the evidence you provided.
- You DO NOT have to provide this evidence with your visa application.
Degree Students
If you have an unconditional offer for a programme which is at Bachelors degree level or above (e.g. BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD etc.) your CAS will state that your level of English has been assessed as B2 on the CEFR scale in all four components but will NOT give details of the evidence you provided.
- You DO NOT have to provide this evidence with your visa application.
Four Year Integrated Degree Programmes (one Year Foundation plus 3 years Degree)
If you have an unconditional offer for a four year integrated programme your CAS will state that your level of English has been assessed as B2 on the CEFR scale in all four components but will not give details of the evidence you provided.
- You DO NOT have to provide this evidence with your visa application.
The UKBA have recently published a document explaining the English language requirements and you can find it here.
*Majority English Speaking Countries as listed in UKBA Policy Guidance for Tier 4:
- Antigua and Barbuda Barbados
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland (Republic of)
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America