Question on English language requirements for international students from Baroness Williams

Written question answered on Thursday 2 August 2018

Lord Storey asked the Home Office whether they issue guidance to universities on the appropriate level of spoken and written English for overseas students undertaking a degree course.

Answered on 2 August 2018 by Baroness Williams of Trafford, Minister of State (Home Office):

Guidance on the appropriate level of spoken and written English overseas students are required to meet when applying for a visa to undertake a degree course is provided by the Home Office to universities. This is contained within the guidance ‘Tier 4 of the Points Based System: Guidance for Sponsors Document 2: Sponsorship Duties’ from paragraph 5.6 – 5.19 located on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsor-a-tier-4-student-guidance-for-educators .

Students studying a course at degree level or above must be able to demonstrate they are competent at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Higher Education Institutions (HEI) may set the level of English language ability to a higher level than that set out in Home Office guidance, however the minimum level must be met.

If the student is applying to study at an HEI, the institution can assess whether the student meets the required level of English language ability. If the student is not studying at an HEI, they will need to demonstrate their English language ability by being successful in a secure English language test (SELT) from one of our approved test providers.