English requirements for UK universities: the visa rule and the university rule

Two requirements, set by two different people

Almost every question about English for UK study comes from treating this as one number. It is two, and they can differ by a lot.

The ways GOV.UK lets you prove English

GOV.UK sets out several ways to prove your knowledge of English for a Student visa. Which ones apply to you depends on your qualifications and on the provider you are applying to.

• Passing a Secure English Language Test, known as a SELT, from a provider on the approved list.
• Holding a degree from an institution outside the UK that was taught in English.
• Holding a degree from a UK institution.
• Holding a UK school qualification in English, such as GCSE, A level or the Scottish equivalents.
• Assessment by the higher education provider itself, for study at degree level, where the provider judges your English to be equivalent to B2.

That last route is the one most often misunderstood. A university assessing your English itself is a recognised route for degree-level study, which is why some Indian applicants are admitted without a separate SELT. It is the university's decision, not yours, and it must still record the outcome for your visa.

Why Indian applicants have to prove it at all

GOV.UK exempts nationals of a specific list of countries from proving their knowledge of English. The list includes Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States and several Caribbean countries. India is not on it, so Indian nationals need to prove their English by one of the routes above, however strong their English is in practice.

Medium of instruction letters

Many Indian universities will issue a letter confirming that your degree was taught and examined in English. Some UK universities accept such a letter for some courses, often alongside a minimum score in school-level English. Others do not accept it at all. Treat it as something to confirm in writing with each university before you rely on it, rather than as a general rule.

• Ask the admissions team directly whether your specific qualification and awarding university are accepted.
• Ask what the letter has to say, since wording requirements differ.
• Have a test booking in reserve if the answer is unclear, because test dates fill up close to intakes.

Mistakes that cost people time

• Booking a test before checking whether the course accepts it. Not every course accepts every test.
• Meeting the overall score but missing a component minimum, which is a separate condition on most offers.
• Assuming the visa level of B2 is enough for the course, when the course asks for more.
• Leaving the test until after the offer, then missing the deadline to meet the condition before the CAS is issued.

For how English fits into the wider application, see our UK Student visa overview and the UK university application process.