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Representatives of overseas business

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English language

This page explains the English language requirement for representatives of overseas business.

You will meet the English language requirement if you:

  • are a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test that is on our list of approved English language tests; or
  • hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree.

More information

  • Are you a national of a majority English speaking country?

    If you are a national of one of these countries, you automatically meet the English language requirement:

    • 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
    • the USA
  • What is an approved English language test?

    We will only accept English language test certificates from education providers that have been assessed as meeting our requirements. You can download a list of acceptable tests from the right side of this page.

    You must check that you have passed an English language test that is on the list, and is still within its validity period. You must have achieved at least CEFR level A1 in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

    You can make your application before you have taken or received the results of an English language test. If the test provider confirms that you have sat a test or have a confirmed date to take the test, we will hold your application open so that you can complete this process. But if you do not pass the test on the first attempt, we will not hold your application open so that you can make more attempts.
  • Do you hold an acceptable degree taught in English?

    To demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement, your degree must:

    • be recognised by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the UK (UK NARIC) as being equivalent to at least a UK bachelor's degree; and
    • have been taught in English to a standard comparable to that of level C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

    If your degree was taken in one of these countries, we will assume that it was taught in English to the required standard:

    • 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
    • the USA

    Please note that Canada is not on this list.

    We will also accept that your degree was taught in English to the required standard if:

    • UK NARIC has confirmed that it was taught or researched in English to level C1 of the CEFR or above; or
    • you provide evidence to show that it was taught or researched in English.

Terms explained

  • UK NARIC

    The UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) is the only official source of information on vocational, academic and professional qualifications awarded in more than 180 countries worldwide. A national agency managed on behalf of the UK government, it compares overseas qualifications with those in the UK, and provides information on qualifications and education systems outside the UK.

All glossary terms

Related documents

Internet links