Skills for English SELT for studying, working and living in the UK
What is Skills for English: SELT?
Skills for English is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) designed for people whose first language is not English, and who need to demonstrate their English language ability for a range of purposes, including work, study or to live in the UK. This English language test can be used for UK visa applications, offering different test levels to match the requirements for each type of UK visa as proof of English language proficiency.
SELTs are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level descriptors. There are six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 with A1 being the lowest, and C2 the highest. At levels A1 and A2 only the skills of speaking and listening are assessed. You can find further details on how the test is structured, delivered and assessed in the Skills for English Test Specification (PDF file).
Book your SELT test for UK visas
Why choose Skills for English: SELT?
- Online booking available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Test centres available in 120 countries
- Results available in as little as 3-5 days
Simple, quick, affordable English language qualification for UK visas
Quality-assured by SQA and powered by PSI, a global provider of assessment services, leading-edge technology, and talent management solutions, the test has been approved by UK Visas and Immigration to meet the English language requirements for UK visa applications.
Skills for English: SELT tests can be taken at PSI's network of approved testing centres available in 120 countries around the world (not including the UK) and provide evidence of an individual's English language level by assessing the skills of in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Reading and listening are automatically marked during the test session, whereas speaking and writing are marked by trained assessors afterwards.
Skills for English: SELT can be easily booked online and is delivered in a single session that is entirely computer-based, with no need for an examiner/assessor to be present.
This format makes delivery more flexible with a greater choice of test dates and locations.
How to prepare for Skills for English: SELT
SQA has developed learning content and formative tests across all levels including diagnostic test, specifications, language learning and practice tests.
Guidelines and learning material for the Skills for English: SELT test have been created to support test takers with test preparation. These include a series of fun and interactive activities to help improve test reading and listening skills, grammar and vocabulary, and provide opportunities for writing and speaking practice.
Teaching resources are also available for educators to help test takers prepare their Skills for English: SELT test.
Get access to learning material
UK Home Office approved English qualification for education institutions admission
The Skills for English: SELT test has been designed to meet the English language requirements of higher education institutions as part of their admission process. This will help students to meet their visa application requirements for their study career.
Skills for English: SELT tests are suitable for all types of visa application, including students visa. Merit levels for CEFR B1 and B2 equivalents are also available to ensure that candidates are meeting admission standards.
A number of universities and education institutions have already accepted Skills for English: SELT as part of their admission process.