Secure English Language Test (SELT) – 6th April 2015
Secure English Language Test (SELT) – 6th April 2015
From 6th April, if a student requires a valid Secure English Language Test (SELT) as part of their visa application
and are planning to sit the exam on or after 6th April 2015, IELTS is now the only test provider offering tests
outside the UK acceptable as valid SELTs as part of a Tier 4 General visa application.
If a student plans to take the IELTS test on or after 6th April 2015 – and needs a SELT as part of their visa
application – the test must be taken at one of the specific UKVI approved SELT testing centres and that the
IELTS is an approved SELT. Not all IELTS testing centres worldwide are approved SELT testing centres and you
must therefore check with your local testing centre to confirm these details.
For a list of all UKVI IELTS approved testing centres for SELT purposes please click on the link below and search
for your local UKVI approved SELT testing centre and the next available dates:
http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/findtest_ukvi.aspx
More dates and locations will be added on 20th April 2015
If you are in any doubt about the type of test you will be taking, please contact your local IELTS testing centre
and ask for further information.
Students should not take the ‘IELTS Skills for Life’ test as this will not be acceptable as part of any Tier 4 visa
application.
Students with a valid SELT taken BEFORE 6th April 2015
If a student already has an IELTS certificate – or any certificate from the list of approved test providers in place
before 5th April 2015 – this can still be used as a valid SELT for any Tier 4 visa application submitted on or
before 5th November 2015 (subject to the usual validity periods of each test as outlined in the on the link
below).
The list of test providers and tests valid as a SELT if taken BEFORE 5th April 2015 can be found on the following
link:
Students Exempt from SELT requirements
Some students are exempt from SELT requirements (for full details of SELT exemptions please see flow chart
below).
If a student does not require a SELT (for example, if he/she will apply as a Tier 4 Child) they can book an IELTS
test at any testing centre anywhere in the world and use it as part of the Tier 4 visa application. It does not
need to be from a specific UKVI approved SELT testing centre.
IELTS testing centres (non-SELT) and the next available dates can be found on the following link:
http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search/search_results.aspx
Please note, if a student takes an IELTS at a non-approved testing centre the IELTS certificate can NOT be used
as a valid SELT as part of any visa application.
For all students exempt from SELT requirements, it is also possible to take an English test from any suitable
test provider (e.g. Pearson) and this certificate can be used as part of the visa application.
*
* If you are exempt from SELT you will still need to provide us with a suitable English language certificate in order for us to assess your suitability for the course and ensure you meet entry requirements accordingly. Note1: You will be exempt from SELT if you successfully completed a course as a Tier 4 CHILD that was at least 6 months long and ended within 2 years of the new CAS issued. Note2: You are considered from an English speaking majority country if you are a national of one of the following: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas;
Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and
Tobago; United States of America. This will be confirmed using your passport. Note3: Your academic qualification must be considered at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree and was taught in one of the following ‘majority English speaking countries’ – Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and
Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; The UK; United States of America
