Required Exams to Study in UK for International Students

United Kingdom, a destination that beckons aspiring minds from every corner of the globe. The UK has long been a favourite of international students to fulfil their dreams and aspirations with the best possible academic and career support by choosing to study in UK.  For many who see studying in the UK as a golden chance, it becomes a gateway to a world of knowledge. This ignites curiosity and propels you toward a future teeming with boundless opportunities. 

Universities in UK are ranked amongst the best in the world by platforms like QS Rankings, Times Higher Education, the Guardian, etc. These higher education institutes are renowned for their academic excellence and various other factors like student satisfaction, faculties, facilities, etc. Studying in the UK offers many career opportunities with valuable industry connections. Additionally, UK graduates are amongst the highest-paid employees after the USA.

We are all familiar with Language proficiency tests that one needs to take and present to the university with the scorecards. These tests are prerequisites of almost all the universities to study in UK. These tests are designed to assess your language proficiency and whether you are able to comprehend and respond to something in English or not. A good score in language proficiency exams assures the institutes that you are capable of completing the chosen degree and can easily attend lectures, workshops, etc. Let’s look at these required exams to study in UK for international students. Let’s get started!

When it comes to ELP requirements for UK immigration and visas, many universities and colleges in the country prefer the IELTS test. It is the exam accepted in UK by all the universities. For Indian students, the price ranges between 16250 INR. A minimum score of 4.0 to 5.5 is necessary for a UK student visa.

The minimal IELTS score needed for admission to an institution may be greater. Top universities like the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have minimum IELTS scores that range from 7.0 to 7.5, with an average score of 6.0. 

Pearson Test of English, commonly known as PTE, is a language proficiency exam accepted in UK by the majority of the institutions. 43 to 59 are the minimum PTE score requirements for a UK visa, though universities may ask for more than this. The registration fee for the exam is 15,900 INR and is non-refundable. 

Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL is a language proficiency test widely accepted throughout the world. It prepares students to study in UK, immigrate and much more. It assesses the students listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. It provides the universities with a student’s credibility in English and assures that they are capable of studying in the mode of instruction at their institutions. 

Apart from IELTS, TORFL and PTE, the Cambridge English Language Assessment test is another widely accepted English language proficiency exam by the majority of universities. The Cambridge English Language Assessment is one of the few forever valid exams. However, several UK institutions can consider these scores invalid after two years.

In contrast to other ELP tests, Cambridge English uses a grading system with an A, B, or C minimum cut-off range. Students must pay the registration fee of 6,000–7,000 INR at least 24 hours before the exam date to take the test.

The various Cambridge English levels for obtaining Tier 4 visas are listed below:

• B2 First (FCE)

• C1 Advanced (CAE)

• C2 Proficiency (CPE)

If you are looking forward to studying mathematics in the UK, then Sixth Term Examination Paper is one of the admission exams you must take. The exam consists of two papers, namely STEP 2 and STEP 3. Students need to appear for either of the papers. The exam costs around £205 (including a £93 Registration fee per STEP paper set by Cambridge Admissions Testing), which is 21,202 INR and is acceptable by prestigious universitHowever, the like the University of Warwick and Imperial College of London.

Two of the most prestigious British universities, Oxford and Cambridge, jointly administer the Mathematics Admission Test (MAT), a standardised mathematics examination. The test, conducted on paper, rates the applicant's proficiency in a particular area of mathematics. Anyone interested in enrolling in a computer science or mathematics undergraduate or graduate programme must take this exam. The University of Warwick and the Imperial College of London generally prefers this exam for undergraduate courses in Mathematics.

The University of Cambridge conducts this examination to assess students applying to study mathematics at the undergraduate level. Some of the renowned universities that accept this examination include the ones mentioned below.

• Lancaster University 

• The University of Sheffield 

• The University of Southampton

• Cardiff University 

• Durham University 

• The University of Bath 

• The University of Warwick 

• London School of Economics and Political Science 

• The University of Cambridge 

 Let us take a look at the admission tests to study in UK.

GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. It is a standardised test meant to evaluate applicants for graduate degree courses for admission to universities in UK. The majority of the time, students get confused between GMAT and GRE and which exam to choose. To solve this confusion, you must understand that GRE is an exam required regardless of the type of graduate program you choose, whereas GMAT is specifically for graduate business programs.

Graduate Management Admission Test, commonly called GMAT, is currently accepted in the majority of countries, including the UK, even though it was originally designed to evaluate applications to business graduate programs at UK universities. It is designed to gauge students' general understanding of algebra, arithmetic, geometry, multiple data sources, and grammar. GMAT is an exam accepted in UK for all graduate business programs and is computer-based. 

This test contains four sections: 

1. Analytical Writing Assessment

2. Integrated Reasoning 

3. Quantitative

4. Verbal 

Some universities in UK that accept GMAT are listed below, along with their required scores are mentioned below. 

Studying law in the UK may seem daunting, but did you know you can take your tests, score good and get the university of your dreams. Let us take a look at these law exams to study in UK for International Students. 

The LNAT exam is designed to determine whether a candidate for admission to a university possesses the requisite abilities, including verbal reasoning, information interpretation, analysis, and drawing conclusions about a problem. You don't need to have any prior legal knowledge to take this test, much like the CLT. The test cost around £120, i.e. 12453 INR. 

Some of the renowned universities that accept this test are listed below. 

• University College London 

• King’s College London 

• SOAS, University of London 

• University of Bristol 

• Durham University

• London School of Economics and Political Science 

• University of Glasgow 

• University of Oxford 

• The University of Nottingham 

It is a test required for law schools in the UK. In this test, you are given an essay which you must read first and then have to respond to some questions. CLT doesn't require prior knowledge of the law and just tests your critical thinking abilities. 

Some commonly required tests to study medical courses in the UK are listed below.

This test must be taken for admission to programs in Biomedical Science, Dentistry, Medicine, etc. Down below are some of the universities that accept BMAT. Let’s check their names out!

• University of Oxford

• Brighton and Sussex Medical School 

• Lancaster University 

• Imperial College London 

• University of Leeds

• Keele University 

• University College London 

• University of Manchester Medical School 

Another UK entry exam for students wishing to enrol in medical and dental degree programmes is the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or UCAT. INR 11,446 is the exam's price. The universities in the UCAT Consortium that you applied to through UCAS will be notified after your results are released.

Given the eligibility standards established by the Home Office and other institutions, it is undoubtedly difficult to gain admission to UK universities and programmes of your choice. The admissions process at UK universities aims to be as simple as possible for international applicants, although it can occasionally be challenging. Thus, prospective students are recommended to examine the official page of their chosen university to determine precisely which tests they should take.

Students who wish to enter the health profession and wish to pursue a course in the same need to appear for the Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT).

Students who seek admission to a medical graduate program in the UK are required to appear for the Graduate Medical School Admission Test. It was designed to select the best student by the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER). 

Some of the renowned institutes that accept GMSAT in the UK are:

• Cardiff University 

• The University of Liverpool 

• The University of East Anglia 

• The University of Plymouth 

• The University of Nottingham 

• The University of Exeter, 

• Swansea University  

Q. Which exam is required for a UK student visa?

A. UK universities accept different types of exams to test your language proficiency and also accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) as proof. For UK student visa, the same exam is accepted that you submitted to your university and doesn't have any other particular requirement. 

Q. How can I study in the UK as an international student?

A. You can study in UK by simply selecting a course, shortlisting universities, gathering documents and applying for admission. You will also need to provide scorecards of various exams depending on your study area, so prepare accordingly. Once you receive an offer letter, accept and apply for a visa. 

Q. Can international students study in UK without IELTS?

A. Yes, you can study in UK without IELTS too. For this, you must meet English requirements, such as proof that you passed English in High School with a grade of at least 70%, participating in an online interview with the institution, or providing evidence that English is the language of instruction at your school. You can also submit a Medium of Instruction (MOI).

Q. Can I get a UK visa without IELTS?

A. For a UK student visa, IELTS is not a requirement. You just have to fulfil the language proficiency requirements set by the university you will be studying at. 

To conclude, there are different required exams to study in UK for international students depending on the area of study, level and the course you choose. These exams are essential if you wish to study in UK. If you are passionate about studying in the UK, we suggest you research thoroughly or seek guidance and prepare accordingly. We believe you’ll do well! 

We hope you enjoyed learning about the required exams to study in UK for international students. If you would like to get a deeper insight into how to study in UK, we encourage you to have a word with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad journey. Get help with the application process, SOPs and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.