When applying for a UK visa, English language ability is not simply an additional requirement for everyday communication. It is an important eligibility requirement used to assess whether an applicant can work, study, run a business, live with family members or settle in the United Kingdom. Depending on the immigration route, the Home Office requires applicants to demonstrate English language ability at a specified level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, commonly known as CEFR. The relevant levels may be A1, A2, B1 or B2.

A Secure English Language Test, usually referred to as a SELT, is one of the most widely used ways to meet the English language requirement. However, an applicant may be able to rely on an eligible academic qualification instead of taking a SELT. Holding a degree does not, by itself, mean that the English language requirement is automatically met. It is necessary to establish which institution awarded the qualification, where it was awarded, whether the course was taught or researched in English, and whether it is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctorate. Where an overseas qualification is relied upon, an assessment from ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment) will normally be required.

The Purpose of the English Language Requirement

The English language requirement forms part of the UK immigration system because it enables the Home Office to assess whether an applicant has the language ability necessary for the purpose of their proposed stay. An applicant under a work route may need to communicate effectively with their sponsor, colleagues, clients and public authorities. A Student applicant may need to attend teaching, complete coursework, sit examinations and undertake research in English. Applicants under family or settlement-related routes may need to demonstrate a basic level of English to support integration into life in the United Kingdom and access to everyday and public services.

The required level of English depends on the immigration route. An applicant for entry clearance as a partner or parent under the family route will commonly be required to demonstrate English at CEFR level A1. An applicant seeking further leave to remain under the family route may be required to meet CEFR level A2. Certain work, business and study routes, including the Skilled Worker, Scale-up, High Potential Individual and Innovator Founder routes, may require English language ability at CEFR level B2. A person should therefore check both whether their proposed immigration route permits reliance on an academic qualification and the precise CEFR level applicable to their application.

Immigration Routes Subject to English Language Requirements

The English language requirement applies across a range of UK immigration routes. It may apply to applications under the Family route, the Skilled Worker route, the Health and Care Worker route, the High Potential Individual route, the Innovator Founder route, the T2 Minister of Religion route and certain applications under the International Sportsperson route.

The required level and the acceptable means of proving English vary between routes. For example, the Skilled Worker and Scale-up routes require English language ability at CEFR level B2. An applicant should not assume that evidence accepted in an earlier immigration application will necessarily be accepted again in a fresh application, an application for permission to stay or an application to extend permission. The Home Office may consider the relevant immigration route, the date of application, the person’s previous grant of permission and any applicable transitional provisions.

Eligibility Criteria for Relying on a Degree

To meet an English language requirement through an academic qualification, the qualification must normally be equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD. In addition, the degree must have been taught or researched in English. It is particularly important that the programme was delivered or researched in English. Evidence that only some modules were taught in English, or that the applicant completed an English-language subject, may not be sufficient.

Where the qualification was awarded by a UK educational institution, the applicant can normally rely on the degree certificate and any supporting evidence required for the relevant application. Where the qualification was awarded outside the United Kingdom, the applicant will normally need an assessment from ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment). The assessment is used to confirm both that the qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD, and that it was taught or researched in English. The current Home Office guidance directs applicants who rely on a qualification not awarded by a UK institution to obtain an ECCTIS assessment.

The title of a qualification is not always decisive. An overseas bachelor’s or master’s degree may not be suitable evidence if ECCTIS does not assess it as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or above, or if ECCTIS cannot confirm that the course was taught or researched in English. Conversely, a degree awarded in a country where English is not the principal language of instruction may still be accepted where ECCTIS confirms both the necessary UK degree equivalence and that the programme was taught or researched in English.

Evidencing a Qualification Awarded by a UK Institution

An eligible qualification awarded by a UK educational institution can normally be used to meet the English language requirement without a separate ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment) assessment. The key issue is not simply whether the applicant studied in the United Kingdom, but whether the UK educational institution awarded the qualification.

For example, a person may have attended a course at a campus in the United Kingdom, but the final award may have been issued by an overseas university or other overseas institution. In that situation, the qualification may be treated as an overseas qualification, and an ECCTIS assessment may be required.

An applicant relying on a UK-awarded degree should retain the final degree certificate, academic transcript, confirmation of award or graduation letter, where available. The application form should be completed carefully and consistently, including the qualification title, awarding institution and date of award. If the applicant’s name on their degree certificate differs from the name in their current passport, they should provide appropriate evidence to explain the difference, such as a marriage certificate, deed poll, divorce documentation or another official document linking the names.

If the Home Office cannot verify that the degree was awarded or cannot be satisfied that the qualification belongs to the applicant, it may request further evidence or find that the English language requirement has not been met. Even where a degree was awarded by a UK institution, the applicant must check the specific eligibility requirements of the route under which they are applying. Some routes may allow a previously accepted English language qualification to be relied upon again, whereas others may require evidence that satisfies the rules in force at the date of application. It is therefore important not to submit only a degree certificate while giving incomplete or inaccurate answers to the English-language questions in the application form.

Overseas Qualifications Awarded in English-Speaking Countries

A degree obtained in a country where English is an official or principal language, such as the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, is likely to have been delivered in English. However, where the qualification was not awarded by a UK institution and is being relied upon to meet a UK visa English language requirement, an ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment) assessment will normally still be required.

An overseas qualification is not accepted automatically merely because it was obtained in an English-speaking country. The applicant must normally show that it is equivalent to the relevant UK degree level and that the course was taught or researched in English. Applicants should therefore not assume that a degree certificate alone will be sufficient, even where the qualification was obtained from a university in an English-speaking country. They should obtain the relevant ECCTIS assessment and enter the required result or reference information correctly in the visa application.

ECCTIS may consider the degree certificate, academic transcript, passport biographical data page and, where needed, confirmation from the awarding institution. It is sensible to allow sufficient time for this process before the intended date of submission.

A different assessment applies where an applicant seeks to meet the English language requirement through nationality rather than a degree. A national of a country specified in the Immigration Rules as a majority English-speaking country may, for certain immigration routes, satisfy the requirement on the basis of nationality. This is not because the person obtained a degree in that country. It is a separate evidential route based on nationality and the relevant Immigration Rules. A degree obtained in an English-speaking country and nationality of a country listed as a majority English-speaking country are therefore distinct ways of meeting the English language requirement.

English-Taught Overseas Qualifications From Other Countries

A degree awarded in a country where English is not the principal language of instruction may still be used to meet a UK visa English language requirement if the entire programme was taught in English or, where applicable, researched in English. However, an ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment) assessment will normally be required before the qualification can be relied upon. ECCTIS assesses whether the qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD, and whether it was taught or researched in English.

When preparing an ECCTIS application, the applicant should first obtain the final degree certificate and full academic transcript. If the language of instruction is not clearly stated on those documents, it may be important to obtain a Medium of Instruction Letter from the university. This should clearly confirm the applicant’s full name, date of birth or student number, title of the degree, field of study, period of study, date of award and that the course was delivered in English. A clear and appropriately detailed letter can help ECCTIS verify the language of tuition.

For example, a person who obtained a master’s degree taught in English at a university in South Korea and wishes to apply under the Skilled Worker route may submit their degree certificate, transcript and a Medium of Instruction Letter to ECCTIS. If ECCTIS confirms that the qualification is equivalent to a UK master’s degree and that the course was taught in English, the applicant may be able to rely on that result rather than take a SELT. The applicant should nevertheless confirm the English language level applicable to their Skilled Worker application and whether any transitional provisions apply.

Circumstances in Which an Application May Be Refused

Submitting a degree does not prevent refusal if the Home Office is not satisfied that the English language requirement has been met. A common issue is that the applicant relies on an overseas qualification without obtaining the required ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment) assessment. Difficulties may also arise where ECCTIS cannot confirm either that the qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or above, or that it was taught or researched in English. Graduation from an overseas university, or a degree certificate written in English, may not in itself be enough.

Problems may also arise where an institution’s letter about the language of tuition is incomplete or unclear. If the letter confirms that only certain modules were delivered in English or does not clearly confirm that the entire programme was taught or researched in English, ECCTIS may be unable to reach the required conclusion. An assessment may also be delayed or may not be completed if the awarding institution does not respond promptly to ECCTIS verification enquiries.

A qualification may be unsuitable where it does not meet UK bachelor’s degree level, where the degree has not yet been awarded, or where the applicant relies only on a short-course certificate or vocational training certificate. Discrepancies in names can also cause difficulties. If the names on the passport, degree certificate, transcript and ECCTIS application differ, and the applicant does not provide a marriage certificate, deed poll or other official document linking the identities, the Home Office may be unable to confirm that the qualification belongs to the applicant.

There is also a risk where an applicant omits or incorrectly enters ECCTIS information or other required details in the application form. The English language requirement is a mandatory eligibility requirement in many immigration routes. Accordingly, even where other supporting documents are strong, an application may be refused if English language ability has not been demonstrated in the prescribed manner.

Summary

An academic qualification can be a valuable way to meet the English language requirement for a UK visa and, where the requirements are met, may remove the need to take a UKVI-approved SELT. However, the relevant question is not simply whether the applicant has a degree. It is necessary to establish whether the qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD; whether the programme was taught or researched in English; whether the qualification was awarded by a UK educational institution; whether an ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment) assessment is required; and what CEFR level applies under the intended immigration route.

An eligible English-medium qualification awarded by a UK educational institution can normally be relied upon directly. An overseas qualification, however, will normally require an ECCTIS assessment of its academic level and the language of instruction. This may be required even where the degree was obtained in a country where English is an official or principal language. Equally, a degree awarded in a country where English is not the principal language of instruction may be accepted if ECCTIS confirms the required degree equivalence and that the full programme was taught or researched in English.

If you require advice on whether your degree can be used to meet the English language requirement for a UK visa, whether an ECCTIS (ECCTIS Qualifications and Language Assessment) assessment is required, which documents should be prepared, or whether a SELT would be more appropriate, please call 020 3865 0219 or leave us a message. We can advise on the evidence and preparation required based on your proposed immigration route, qualification, awarding institution and language of instruction.