UEA Degree Programmes 

As a Higher Education Institution sponsor, UEA is permitted to assess students’ English language proficiency for direct entry to degree programmes (NQF level 6 or above), using a wider range of qualifications. We will continue to accept the original Academic IELTS, for a list of other accepted English qualifications please visit our website.

Foundation and Diploma:

For our non-degree programmes (NQF level 5 or below, including INTO UEA Foundation and Diploma, students are required to take one of the Home Office's approved SELTs: IELTS for UKVI or Trinity College Integrated Skills in English as evidence of their English language ability.

Pre-Sessional English:

UEA is still able to offer a joint CAS for students studying a course of INTO UEA Pre-Sessional English (PSE) prior to starting a UEA degree programme. A joint CAS can be offered to eligible students on the 12, 8, 6 and 4 week PSE courses. Eligible students will have met all academic conditions and the English language entry requirement for the Pre-sessional English course.

Where a joint CAS is issued and English language ability is already at CEFR level B2 (IELTS 5.5 overall, with a minimum 5.5 in each component), UEA is permitted to assess students’ English language proficiency using the original Academic IELTS and other qualifications, as explained in the paragraph above. 

Please note a SELT is required as proof of English language ability for all cases where:

• The CAS will only cover a course of Pre-sessional English; this refers to the 16 week PSE course, and shorter PSE courses where academic conditions are still outstanding
• A joint CAS is issued and the English language ability is at CEFR level B1 (below IELTS 5.5 in any one component)

Completing the Visa Application

When completing their visa application, students are asked to complete their “Date of Planned Arrival in the UK” (question 17 in the Travel Information section). This is then used as the start date of the 30 day travel vignette, and the earliest date that they will be allowed to enter the UK. It is therefore recommended that a date 10-14 days prior to the course start date is used, to allow students to arrive in the UK, get settled and register on time.