English Language Tests for UK Visas
Language proficiency is pivotal for your UK visa application. Move Up ensures you are equipped with the right information about the English tests accepted by the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) department. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know to ensure your language skills meet the required standards for South Africa-based submissions.
Matric certificates are not considered. This is a tertiary language requirement.
Part of the UK visa requirements is gaining accreditation through a Secure English Language Test (SELT accreditation).
Approved English Language Tests
Navigating the multitude of language tests can be confusing. Here’s a curated list of the UKVI-approved English language testing instituions in South Africa, ensuring your proficiency is undisputed when applying for your visa.
IELTS
South Africa’s most popular testing institution.
Pro’s: Wide selection of testing institutions located country wide.
Con’s: Delayed appointment availability.
Pearson PTE
The next most popular testing institution in SA.
Pro’s: Faily professional in their dealings.
Con’s: Not the easiest booking process.
PSI Skills For English
Sandtons best kept secret.
Pro’s: Quickest appointments and quickest results.
Con’s: Not the most professional customer engagement.
LangCert
Still in development. Yet to properly enter the SA market.
Pro’s: It could open up appointment availability country wide.
Con’s: They require physical testing institutions to facilitate tests.
UK to SA Qualification Standards
Given that English tests are a UK visa requirement, the UK government are essentially asking for South Africans to demonstrate a tertiary level of English language.
Below is our qualification comparison list. It serves to help South Africans better understand where our “bachelor level” qualifications stand compared to theirs.
Booking Your Test
Time is of the essence. All SELT tests facilitated in SA are paid for and booked online. Thereafter, applicants have to attend an in-person test at the relevant testing institution.
Test Preparation Resources
Boost your confidence! Dive into our comprehensive resources, mock tests, and preparation materials tailored for the UKVI-approved English tests. Each of the four testing institutions offer training material online.
Understanding Test Results
Decoding test results can be tricky. Understand what your scores mean and how they align with UKVI requirements. Again, we encourage applicants to take a look at our NQF page for a breakdown on SELT grading.
Exemptions and Special Cases
Are you exempt from the English test?
There are three exemptions.
1. Applicants must be adults. Therefore, minors below 18 years of age are exempt. This age consideration is based on the “age on the date of attendance”.
2. Those of retirement age are exempt. If you are over the age of 65 years young, you are exempt from needing to complete an English test.
3. Degree-level qualifications issued from recognised English testing institutions exempt South Africans. However, the qualifications need to be attested by UK NARIC (expect delays and similar costs).
There is also special provisions for those physically or mentally challenged. This special consideration is based on a case-to-case basis.
FAQs about English Tests
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about English tests for UK visas.
Question: I have matric and English is my home language, surely I am exempt?
Answer: Common misunderstanding. English tests serve to test South Africans tertiary English ability (where High School is our secondary level of education). This means that matric is not recognized as a means to meet the English test requirment.