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Student Visa
When applying for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at most UK universities and colleges which are approved as Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS), different arrangements may apply – you should contact the institution you wish to apply to for more information.
Official list of British Universities and Colleges with Highly Trusted Sponsor Status
On 20 February 2015, the UK government announced important changes to Secure English Language Tests (SELT) for visa purposes.
If you make a visa application to stay or move to the UK, you need to be aware of changes made by United Kingdom Visas & Immigration (UKVI).
What are the changes?
In addition to the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests, which you may already know of, new tests called IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training, Life Skills A1 and Life Skills B1 are introduced.
IELTS for UKVI are managed by the IELTS SELT Consortium, which comprises British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
IELTS Life Skills tests are for candidates who need to prove their speaking and listening skills at levels A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This is a single test covering speaking and listening skills.
For more information on UK Visas and Immigration, please visit GOV.UK.
When are this change effective from?
The change in UK government policy are effective from 6 April 2015. Until 5 April 2015, you can sit an IELTS test anywhere in the world and the result can be submitted to UKVI with your application until 5 November 2015.
Where can I take an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills test for a UK visa application?
The tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration(UKVI). In Japan, test locations for IELTS for UKVI are Tokyo and Osaka only.
What are the test fees for IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills?
In Japan, the test fees are
- IELTS for UKVI: 29,400 yen (tax included)
- IELTS Life Skills: 20,500 yen (tax included)
How soon will I get my Test Report Form (TRF)?
Test Report Form (TRF) will be posted to you
- IELTS for UKVI: 13 days after the written test
- Computer-delivered IELTS: 3-5 days after the test
- IELTS Life Skills: 6 days after the test
Centres are not permitted to give results over the phone or email or by fax.
IELTS for UKVI Academic
This test is for test takers wishing to study in the UK below degree level or others who are required to take a SELT test for a direct application to UK Visas and Immigration. The test involves Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
A limited number of places are available at the British Council for IELTS for UKVI (Academic) delivered on computer at the test location in Tokyo. More information about IELTS for UKVI (Academic) delivered on computer.
IELTS for UKVI General Training
This test is for test takers wishing to migrate to the UK or those wishing to train or study below degree level, who need to make a direct application to UK Visas and Immigration. The test involves: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Book here for IELTS for UKVI General Training
Check what score you need
IELTS Life Skills A1
This test is for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration for Family, Spouse or Partner visa.
- The A1 level is within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the equivalent to ESOL Entry 1 on the National Qualification Framework (NQF).
- The test involves Speaking and Listening
Book here for IELTS Life Skills A1
Check what score you need
IELTS Life Skills B1
This test is for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration for citizenship/settlement visa.
- The B1 level is within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and is the equivalent to ESOL Entry 3 on the National Qualification Framework (NQF).
- The test involves Speaking and Listening
Book here for IELTS Life Skills B1
Check what score you need
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