SELT are taken by people who need to demonstrate their English language proficiency for the purpose of obtaining visa to work, study, settle in the UK or apply for a British passport. Further details can be found on the UK government website.
Higher education institutions set their own entry requirements so please contact them directly as to which exam, level/course you need to support your application.
Which exam do I need? GESE or ISE
SELT Exam Online Preparation course Skills Level
further leave to remain, spouse, partner other
Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settlement/Citizenship/
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa
Online preparation course: Intermediate B1/CEFR
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE I
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE I
Tier 1 (General) visa
Online preparation course: Advanced C1/CEFR
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE III
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE III
tier 4 (general) student visa- below degree level
Online preparation course: Upper intermediate/B2 CEFR
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE I or ISE II (min required is ISE I/B1, however some institutions require ISE II/B2)
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE I or ISE II (min required is ISE I/B1, however some institutions require ISE II/B2)
tier 4 (general) student visa- degree level and above
Online preparation course: Advanced C1/CEFR
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE II (B2 is the min required by UKVI) or ISE III (some institutions require C1)
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE II (B2 is the min required by UKVI) or ISE III (some institutions require C1)
skilled worker visa
Online preparation course: Upper intermediate/B2 CEFR
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE II (from January 2026)
Skills: Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Exam: ISE II (from January 2026)
