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Tier 1 (General)

A highly skilled migrant reviewing their application

Scoring points for English language

This page explains the points we award for your English language ability under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system.

You must read the policy guidance before you apply. You can download the guidance from the right side of this page.

You must score 10 points for your English language ability, or we will refuse your application.

English is the UK's most widely spoken language. The ability to speak English improves your potential to succeed in the UK labour market, and helps you to integrate into the UK. Therefore, you must have a good knowledge of English.

To meet the English language requirement, you must:

  • currently have permission to stay in the UK under Tier 1 (General), or as a highly skilled migrant under the Immigration Rules that came into force on 5 December 2006; or
  • be a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test approved by us; or
  • hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or above.

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 B1 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:

    • 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 assess your degree using our points-based calculator, which contains information from UK NARIC. You will meet the English language requirement if the calculator confirms that your degree:

    • is at or above the level of a UK bachelor's degree; and
    • was taught to a competent standard of English equivalent to level C1 on the CEFR.

    If the points-based calculator cannot confirm these details, you will not meet the requirement.

    You can use the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right side of this page, to check your degree before you apply. If you cannot find details of your degree on the calculator, UK NARIC will not be able to verify whether you meet the English language requirement. In that case, you should present an alternative qualification or select another way of showing that you meet the English language requirement.

See also

Do it online

Terms explained

  • Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

    A series of descriptions of abilities, accepted worldwide, that sets clear targets for achievement in learning a language.

  • 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

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Related documents

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