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Tier 2 (General)

English language

This page explains how you can score points for your English language ability when you apply under Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system.

You must read the Tier 2 policy guidance before you apply. You can download the guidance from the right side of this page. The guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.

You must score 10 points for English language. You can score points if you:

  • are a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test 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.

You will meet the English language requirement automatically and score points without having to send further evidence if:

  • you have previously been given permission to stay under Tier 1 (General) or Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), or as a businessperson, a work permit holder, a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, a member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline, or a Jewish agency employee;
  • you were given permission to stay under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme after 7 November 2006;
  • you were given permission to stay in the past under Tier 2, have already given us evidence that you meet the Tier 2 English language requirement, and are applying to extend your stay;
  • you are applying because you have changed jobs, and you have already given us evidence that you meet the Tier 2 English language requirement; or
  • you are applying because you have changed jobs, and you have been given permission to stay in the past as a minister of religion on or after 23 August 2004.

If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country

We will award you 10 points for English language if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country listed below:

  • 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
  • United States of America

If you have passed or are taking an English language test

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you pass a test, at the appropriate level, which is on our list of approved English language tests. You can download the list of approved English language tests from the right side of this page.

Only test certificates from providers on this list will be accepted.

For applications under Tier 2 (General), the minimum appropriate level is level B1 of the Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR).

For applications under Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) or Tier 2 (Sportsperson), the minimum appropriate level is level A1 of the CEFR.

If you have a disability (for example, hearing difficulties), you are not exempt from the English language requirement. You should contact a test provider for details of the support that you can receive while you take the test.

If you have a degree taught in English

We will award you 10 points for English language if you have a degree which is the same as a UK bachelor's degree and which was taught or researched in English to a particular level.

The qualification must:

  • be recognised by National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the UK (UK NARIC) as equivalent to at least a UK bachelor's degree; and
  • have been taught in English.

We assume that a degree was taken in a majority English speaking country listed below will have been 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 United States of America

Canada is not on this list.

If the degree was taken in another country, we assess your qualification using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page. The calculator contains information on whether overseas qualifications are the same as a UK bachelor's level or higher provided by UK NARIC.

You can score points if the points-based calculator confirms that:

  • your degree is the same level as a UK bachelor's degree; and
  • the degree was taught to a competent standard of English equivalent to level C1 on the Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR).

Checking qualifications

You should check your qualification by using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page.

If you cannot find your qualification, you can contact UK NARIC, who you can find on the right of this page, and ask them to confirm the level of your qualification in a letter. But they can only confirm your qualification is the same as a UK bachelor's degree level or above, and not that the degree was taught in English.

If you cannot find your qualification on the points-based calculator, you must send a letter with your application from your university confirming your degree was taught in English.



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Tier 2 policy guidance

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See also

Do it online

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

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