PTE inspiration and advice

You can still study abroad and stick to a budget. In fact, many of the cheapest countries to attend university are also some of the most beautiful places in the world.

In this blog, we’ll explore 6 affordable international study destinations. And the great news is PTE Academic – our English language proficiency exam can help you achieve your study abroad dream at these amazing places. Let’s delve in:  

1. Norway 

Norway isn’t just picturesque. It’s also one of the cheapest countries to study in for international students. Most universities in Norway are publicly funded and don’t charge tuition fees – even for foreign learners. While some private universities do charge tuition – between €7000-€19,000 – international students aren’t required to pay more than Norwegians.  

It is important to keep in mind, however, that the living costs in Norway are high. It can cost international students between €800 –€1400 per month to live in the country. But there are some grants and scholarships available to help students fund their time abroad. You can check them out here.  

Overall, Norway offers world-class education and an excellent standard of living. Medical services are usually free for international students and many courses are taught in English, making it a great place to study abroad. 

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in Norway including University of Oslo, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). 

Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in Norway.

 2. Malaysia 

With high-ranked universities and the fastest growing regional economy in the world, Malaysia is also an excellent destination to consider. The country boasts more than 100 higher education institutions – including branches of universities like Monash University and the University of Nottingham.  

A bachelor’s degree for international students (not studying medicine) costs about $10,000-$20,000 USD at a public institution, and significantly more at an international branch campus.  

However, the thing that makes Malaysia attractive is its low cost of living. Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital city, is ranked by QS Best Student Cities Rankings as the second most affordable student city in the world. Rent in a shared apartment in Malaysia can cost as little as $50-$250 USD per month.  

To learn more about how much it costs to live in Malaysia, visit the government’s website here.  

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in Malaysia including Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in Malaysia. 

 3. Spain 

Spain has a great climate, a relaxed lifestyle, and more than 70 universities to choose from. And yes, it also offers affordable tuition fees. Tuition for EU/EAA students at a public university can range from just €150-€3500.  Keep in mind though, if you’re coming from a country outside the EU/EAA, your tuition fees could be higher.  

The cost of living for international students in Spain ranges from €700-€1,100 a month. Many courses here are also taught in English, making Spain a good choice if you’re interested in improving both your English and Spanish skills.  

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in Spain including Universidad de Granada. Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in Spain.

 4. France 

France is a surprisingly affordable place for international students to study. It’s also incredibly popular – more than 350,000 students enroll in the university there each year. France’s public universities charge just €170 per year for a bachelor’s degree for EU/EAA students. But like in Spain, if you’re a non-EU/EAA citizen, fees are likely to cost more.  

The cost of living is more expensive in larger cities like Paris. But in smaller cities, you can expect to pay around €650 per month.  

PTE Academic is accepted at top institutions in France including Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Find out where else PTE Academic can take you in France. 

5. South Africa

South Africa is renowned for its natural beauty and rich culture – it has 11 official languages, which is more than any other country in the world. It’s also home to the top-rated university in Africa: University of Cape Town.  

Tuition for a bachelor’s degree in South Africa is reasonably inexpensive compared to locations and will cost international students between €6000–€7000 per year. Living costs are also only about €550 per month. 

Find out how PTE Academic can help you to study at University of Cape Town. 

6. Greece 

Last but not least, Greece is one of the most affordable study destinations in Europe.  Most students from the EU/EEA can study for free, while all other students could pay up to €2000 per year. 

Greece also boasts low costs of living. Students can expect to pay between €450-€750 per month – and some students in financial need can live on campus for free. Better yet, between studies, international learners can soak up the sun while spending time on Greece’s beautiful beaches. What’s not to love?  

Ready to kickstart your dream of studying abroad?

Many top-rated international institutions offer courses in English and require you to take an English language test.  

PTE Academic is recognized by universities around the world – find out who accepts PTE Academic.

There’s a lot to think about when moving overseas. Will you need health insurance? What identity documents will you need to apply for? And of course, where will you live and work?

We’ve been there, and we get it! That’s why we’ve put together this list of 8 things to consider before moving abroad. Let’s take a look:  

1. Understand visa requirements

If you plan to move abroad for more than six months, you might need a visa to live, work or study. So before making any travel plans, you should visit your destination country’s immigration website to ensure you’re eligible for a visa – and understand all the requirements. Many governments, for example, require applicants to take an approved English language proficiency test like PTE Academic to study or work in the country.

If you’re looking for visa support, you may also decide to hire a registered migration agent. These are immigration professionals and can complete your visa application for you, help prepare documents, and provide advice throughout the application process.

You can more about specific visa requirements on these government websites:

• Australian Department of Home Affairs

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• ImmigrationNew Zealand

• UK Visas and Immigration

• U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services 

You might be interested in reading our article: Should you hire a migration agent to move to Australia?  

2. Find out if you’re eligible to work 

Just because you’ve been granted a visa to live in a country, doesn’t mean you have the right to work full-time.

Many student visas put a cap on how many hours people can work. For example, in Australia students are allowed to work up to 40 hours every two weeks during the school term. In the UK, students are able to work 20 hours per week during the semester. And in Malaysia, students can also work up to 20 hours a week, but only during school breaks longer than eight days.

If you’re not on a student visa, it is likely you’ll have permission to work full-time. However, many countries require you to apply for a social insurance number – or something similar – before you can.

In Canada, for example, permanent and temporary residents need to apply for a social insurance number after they land in the country, and it can take about 20 days to arrive.

3. Create a budget

Before moving to a new country, you should have some savings. In some cases, depending on your visa type and the country you’re moving to, you might be required to show proof of savings with your visa application.

Day-to-day living costs may also be more expensive abroad, and it could take you longer than anticipated to find a job – so it’s important to have money put away to help you settle in.

If you’re a student planning to move to Canada or the UK, we’ve put together some detailed guides that outline the living costs in each country: 

• Living expenses in the UK for international students

• Student guide: What is the cost of living in Canada?

Many governments offer cost of living calculators online, which can be a great resource for new immigrants. Take a look at New Zealand’s cost of living tool, for example.

When you arrive, you’ll also need to open a bank account. This can often be done online. Some banks even have accounts specifically designed for newcomers and offer credit cards to help build credit history. 

4. Search for housing 

Looking for accommodation can be one of the most exciting parts of moving abroad. Once you find a place to call home, you’re able to really imagine what your new life will be like – you get to explore Google Maps from afar, check out neighborhood restaurants online, and plan where you might socialize with friends.

If you’re moving with a work visa, your new workplace might be able to help you find temporary accommodation. Likewise, if you’re moving abroad to study, your institution should offer housing options for international students – such as on-campus apartments or other homestay partnerships. It’s also a great idea to join local housing Facebook groups, where people post their apartments or houses for temporary or long-term rentals.

You might be interested in: How to choose international student accommodation in the UK.

5. Discover transportation options

Once you know where you’ll live, you can figure out how you’ll get around. Is your apartment close to public transportation? Or have you opted to live outside a city center, and will need to get around by car?

You could be able to drive with an international driver’s license right after landing abroad. But after a few months, lots of countries will require you to apply for a local driver’s license instead. If you’re moving to a country where it snows, it might also be a good idea to invest in driving lessons to learn how to drive safely on icy roads.

6. Apply for healthcare or insurance

You might not be automatically eligible for health coverage in your destination country, even if it offers universal healthcare to citizens.

In Canada, for example, each province administers its own publicly-funded healthcare. That means, if you’re a student, your eligibility for healthcare will depend on where you study. If you’re not eligible, your university should offer you insurance.

On the other hand, if you’re on a work visa or permanent resident visa, you may be able to apply for publicly-funded healthcare. But, there might be a waiting period before you’re able to have access – so it’s important to buy insurance to make sure you’re covered beforehand.

Always check with the local government in your destination country to see what your rights are regarding healthcare. It’s also important to research the mental health services that may be available once you arrive. If you’re a student, your university may offer counseling services on campus.  

7. Keep up to date with travel regulations

Travel regulations change quickly, so it’s essential to keep up to date on what you’ll need to do before – and after – arriving at your destination country.

Always consult the health authorities in the country you’re traveling to ensure you follow public health guidelines – and you’ll be allowed to enter the country. 

8. Don’t forget about the little things 

When moving abroad, we tend to focus on the big things – like housing, work, and healthcare. But there are lots of little things to think about, too! Remember to:

• Close your utility accounts – like internet and hydro – before leaving home (and do it before the cut-off date, so you don’t get charged extra)

• Unlock your mobile phone so you’ll be able to use a local SIM card, and get a power plug adapter for your charger if you need one.

• Bring a few things that remind you of home and that you won’t be able to buy abroad. Something as simple as packing your favorite face wash or snack food can make a big difference when just starting to settle in.

Overall, getting a head-start on your travel preparations will help you to reduce stress and hit the ground running when you arrive.

Are you interested in working as a nurse overseas? With the right qualifications, your passion for nursing could help you begin a new chapter in Australia, the US, or the UK.

In this guide, we’ll learn about what you’ll need to do to work as a registered nurse in each country, as well as what employment opportunities waiting for you abroad. Let’s explore:  

Nursing in Australia: requirements 

No matter where in the world you choose to study, it’s important to take into account the financial cost of living abroad. Tuition, rent, textbooks, and transport can all be big expenses. But because of visa restrictions, not all students are able to work enough hours to support themselves while studying. 

In this, many international students might need to take out private student loans.  So, let’s explore what loan options are available for students – including in popular study destinations like Canada, Australia, the U.S., and the U.K.  

Where can I find a private student loan? 

Many countries have student loan systems in place to help learners fund their education. However international students are usually not eligible for these loans – only citizens, permanent residents, and those with protected status in a country can apply.  

On the other hand, there are lots of private loans for international students. Your eligibility will depend on what country you’re studying in. For example, in some countries, you’ll need a co-signer. In other countries, you’ll need to show you have a regular source of income.  

Loans for students studying abroad are available from various sources, including:  

• Local banks 

• Non-bank lenders and private student loan programs (popular in the U.S.) 

• Universities  

While searching for student loans, we always recommend checking with your university first, as these loans usually come with better terms. For example, the University of Sydney in Australia offers loans of up to $1000 AUD ($777 USD) that are interest-free and payable within 12 months, as well as $2000 ($1550 USD) loans that can be paid back up to two years after graduation.  

Private student loans by country 

Private student loans differ by country. So, let’s take a look at what’s available for international students in these four popular study destinations. 

Australia 

It can be expensive to study abroad in Australia. According to the Australian Government, tuition for international students perusing a bachelor’s degree can cost between $25,000 – $45,000 AUD ($19,425-$34,966 USD) a year. Likewise, the cost of living can be about $21,000 AUD ($16,317 USD) for 12 months. Of course, these costs can vary depending on your institution and where you study in the country.  

But, the good news is that on an Australian student visa, you can work up to 40 hours every two weeks. 

As an international student, you won’t be able to access Australia’s Higher Education Loan Program (HELP). But you can explore the following to help further fund your studies:  

• Short-term and long-term loans from a university. Dozens of universities offer loans to international students, just like the ones from the  we mentioned above. For example,  offers students loans up to $5,000 AUD ($3,883 USD). The even gives out student loans of $200 AUD ($155 USD) in case of emergencies, like if you’ve lost your wallet or are short on cash. 

• A secured personal loan with a private bank, in which you offer an asset as collateral. 

• An unsecured personal loan. With these, you don’t have to offer an asset as collateral, but interest rates are generally higher. Banks across Australia offer these types of loans. One example is Westpac.  

Read more: Australian student loans for international students 

The U.K.  

On average, students in the U.K. spend about £795 ($1,100 USD) a month on living expenses, and for international students, tuition for a Master’s Degree can be between £5,000-17,000 ($6,983-$23,743 USD) a year. With Brexit, EU/EAA citizens will now considered international students.  

So, what loan options do foreign students have? 

• A foreign-enrolled loan. Students can apply to these to fund their education abroad – but it depends on what countries you come from the U.S. and what university you’ll attend. Students from, for example, can be eligible. 

• Bank loans for students studying abroad from your home country.

• Private student loans for foreign learners in the UK. Future Finance, for example, offers 

  flexible loans to international students. 

Read more: UK student loans for international students  

The U.S.  

The U.S. is one of the most expensive places to study as an international student. The cost of living can range between $1,000 – 3,000 USD per month, depending on where in the country you settle. Tuition for a four-year bachelor’s degree can cost roughly $40,000 USD at a public university and can reach past $50,000 USD at a private university.  

However, there are lots of student loan options available. These loans can be quite a long-term, and students might be able to repay them over the course of up to 25 years.  

• Banks and online lenders. Loans from these sources often require a U.S. co-signer with good credit history. Organizations like Assent and Discover provide loans to international students. 

• An online lender that doesn’t require a U.S. co-signer. MPOWER Financing, for example, offers loans for international students without a co-signer.

Canada 

Tuition fees at Canadian universities and colleges can vary – international students can expect to pay between $1000-30,000 CAD ($794-$23,830 USD) a year for a bachelor’s degree. Living costs depend on what city you study in but can range between $800-$2000 CAD ($635-$1588 USD)  a month.  

International students in Canada have a few loan options: 

• A bank loan from your home country. Like many countries, Canada requires students applying for a visa to show they have enough money to cover their expenses

   – making getting a loan from home a good first option.

• A student line of credit from a Canadian bank. With these, you have a set limit (just like on a credit card) and only have to pay back the money you actually use. Learn more about the student line of credits on the Government of Canada website.   

• Private companies. For example, MPOWER Financing also offers loans to international students in Canada without a co-signer.  

This isn’t an exhaustive list. But we hope this article provides you with a good starting point and helps you understand where to begin looking for student loans to fund your education. Remember, it’s important to shop around for the loan that works best for you – there are lots of options out there. 

Preparing to study abroad?

PTE Academic can help you get one step closer. Our computer-based, unbiased language test is accepted by governments and higher education institutions around the world as proof of English proficiency. 

Find out more about the test or book your PTE Academic test today.

Podcasts are a great way to practice your English skills. You can listen to them while studying from your desk at home. Or you can listen to them on the go – like while you’re driving, cooking, cleaning, or working out.  

We especially love podcasts because, since many are conversational, they give you the chance to hear how English speakers interact in real life and expose you to lots of interesting new languages.  

If you’re planning to take PTE Academic this year, podcasts are great practice for the listening section of the exam – for which you’ll have to answer questions based on audio or video clips.   

So, are you ready to immerse yourself in the world of English language podcasts? In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best podcasts to learn English:

1. 6 Minute English 

6 Minute English is a podcast by BBC Learning English. Each week, the BBC hosts chat about everyday situations – and it makes for a really interesting listen. Ever wonder if trees are intelligent? Or if humans could live in cities underwater? Well, this could be the podcast for you. 

Overall, 6 Minute English is great for people with an intermediate level of English. It’s short (you guessed it, just 6 minutes) and each episode includes a vocabulary list and transcript. 

2. But Why

But Why is another fun podcast for intermediate-level English learners. Kids record questions for the show, and host Jane Lindholm brings in an expert to answer them on air.  

But Why is produced by Vermont Public Radio in the U.S. And while the podcast is made for kids – it answers questions like ‘why do dogs have tails’ or ‘why are whales so big’ – Lindholm speaks slowly and charismatically, making it easy to understand. Of course, if you have kids, But Why is also a good show to listen to as a family.   

Each episode is about 30 minutes long and includes a transcript. Even more, the episodes come with free learning worksheets (like this one), which you can use to practice your English writing and listening comprehension skills.  

3. Luke’s English Podcast 

Luke’s English Podcast is hosted by Luke Thompson, an English teacher, and comedian from the U.K. The podcast covers a big range of topics; one episode may cover pronunciation tips, and the next may simply feature a conversation between Thompson and his wife. 

The show is often touted as one of the best podcasts to learn English (it’s been downloaded more than 60 million times) and overall, is a good way to practice your British English skills. The episodes are on the longer side, and some are up to two hours long. 

While the podcasts are free, Thompson also produces paid content for listeners to subscribe to – giving them access to things like extra podcast episodes, worksheets, tests, and pronunciation drills.  

4. Criminal

Many podcast consumers enjoy listening to true crime stories. And, Criminal is one of the most popular crime podcasts out there.  

Criminal releases two new episodes every month, and each episode explores the story of a different crime. The host, Phoebe Judge, tells how the crime occurred and interviews the people involved – usually a witness, victim, police officer, historian, or the person charged.  

Since Criminal brings on lots of interview subjects – with different accents and ways of speaking – the podcast is not only thought-provoking. It’s also great for practicing your listening skills, particularly if you’re an upper-intermediate or advanced English learner.  

 5. This American Life

This American Life is one of the most popular English speaking radio programs and podcasts today. In fact, 3.1 million people download each podcast episode! The 1-hour show is hosted by Ira Glass. Each episode delves into a different theme and includes different stories about the theme.  

Sometimes the show features long-form pieces about U.S. politics or tells about how one family has been impacted by American immigration policies. Other episodes talk about break-ups or peculiar family traditions.  

Overall, it’s an excellent show to improve your English comprehension – and learn about American culture, politics, and stories while you’re at it. So if you plan to move to the U.S., listening to This American Life is a must.  

How to learn English with podcasts  

We know podcasts help to improve your listening skills. But you can use them to improve your speaking, reading and writing skills, too. Here are a few tips:  

Listen with the transcript 

As we mentioned above, many podcasts publish transcripts of their episodes. If you’re studying English at home, it’s a great idea to listen to your favorite podcast with the transcript in front of you. This will help to improve your reading, as well as understand everything the host is saying.  

You might even want to pause the podcast every few seconds and repeat after the host to practice speaking and pronunciation.  

Take note of interesting vocab 

To expand your vocabulary, write down 15 new words from each podcast episode. Take a few minutes at the end of each show to look up the words and define them. If you listen to two podcast episodes each week, you’ll learn 120 new words a month.  

Write a summary of each episode  

It’s also a great idea to write a few words about each podcast episode. You might want to challenge and write a 200-word podcast summary. Or, you could simply write a sentence about something new you learned from the show.  

These writing exercises are great practice for PTE Academic because writing a one-sentence summary of a text or audio file is something you’ll be tested on.  

Join a listening club 

A podcast listening club is just like a book club – you get together with a group of friends to discuss and reflect on what you’ve learned.  

So, if you’re a fan of a particular podcast, why not ask a few friends to meet to chat about some recent episodes? It’s a great way to practice your speaking skills, and it will also help you gain more confidence in expressing opinions in English.  

Want more prep ideas?

Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

• Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

• It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

• Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.

Ready to get started?

During Part 3: Listening in PTE Academic, you will need to know pronunciation in order to understand what the speakers are saying.

Pronunciation

When completing PTE Academic, you will hear a variety of accents from both fluent English speakers and second language speakers, as you would in the real world. Don’t worry, the accents will be clear and regular users of English do not have trouble understanding them. To prepare you should choose texts from around the world and practice listening to a wide range of accents.

The recordings in PTE Academic use authentic examples of speech, so there will be connected speech present. Connected speech includes: assimilation, elision, twinning, catenation, linking vowel sounds, intrusive sounds, the schwa /ə/, weak forms, and contractions. These words are not used in English when you pronounce each word separately. They are only used in connected speech.

Assimilation

In connected speech in English, the sound at the end of a word can change to sound the same as the beginning of the first word.

Watch these videos from BBC Learning English to better understand assimilation:

• Pronunciation: Assimilation of /t/ and /p/

• Pronunciation: Assimilation of /d/ to /g/

• Pronunciation: Assimilation of /s/

• Pronunciation: Assimilation of /n/ followed by /p/

• Pronunciation: Assimilation of /t/ and /j/

• Pronunciation: Assimilation of /d/ and /b/

Elision

Elision occurs when a sound is not pronounced at all by the speaker.

For example, we say pos card, but we write postcard.

This Pronunciation: The sound /s/ video shows how it works.

Twinning

When you finish a word with the same sound as the start of the next word, it’s called twinning.

Watch the video below to learn more:

• Pronunciation: The sound /s/

Catenation

Catenation is when one word ends in a consonant sound and the next one starts with a vowel and we say the two words as one.

The below video will help you learn more about catenation:

• Pronunciation: Consonant – vowel linking

Linking vowel sounds

When we speak, we use the /j/ (the first sound in yellow) and /w/ (the first sound in wet) to link words that end with a vowel to the next word that starts with a vowel.

For example, we would say he yordered, but we write he ordered and you say go won, but write go on.

To learn more about linking /j/ and linking /w/ you can view this video:

• Stop Saying… : Vowel to vowel linking

Intrusive sounds

When we speak, we add a /r/ (first sound in the word red) when the first word ends in some vowel sounds and the next word also starts with a vowel sound.

For example, we say sawrants but we write saw ants.

This video on intrusive sounds will help you understand better:

• Pronunciation: The intrusive /r/

The schwa /ə/

The most common vowel sound in English is the schwa /ə/. It is used in connected speech and is when you pronounce a vowel, which is not stressed in a word.

This video will better explain what it means and how it’s used:

• Pronunciation: Schwa

Weak forms

In addition to the above, the schwa /ə/ is used to pronounce the vowel in weak forms of grammar words in connected speech. It can be a little confusing so we recommend watching all of the below videos to learn more:

• Pronunciation: Elision of /t/

• Pronunciation: ‘Have to’

• Pronunciation: How to pronounce ‘have’ when it’s an auxiliary

Contractions

In connected speech, when we are not stressing the subject, verb, or not, we do not use the full form of the subject and verb with verbs be and have. These are contractions.

Contractions are also used with be, have and do in the negative, as well as some modal verbs in the negative.

For example:

• I am =>I’m

• You are =>you’re

• We have =>we’ve

• They have =>they’ve

• You are not => you aren’t

• They are not => they aren’t

• He/she/it is not =>he/she/it isn’t (you can also use he’s/she’s/it’s not)

We also use I’m not and we’re not and do not => don’t, did not => didn’t, cannot => can’t, will not => won’t, might not => mightn’t. They are used very often in connected spoken English so make sure to listen carefully to pick these up.

The below video will take you through this type of connected speech:

• How to Pronounce Contractions: American English Pronunciation

All of the above types of connected speech are important in the Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Incorrect Words and Write from Dictation question types.

As part of Part 3: Listening in your test, you will need to review your vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as learn cohesive devices and signal language. You can read more about these core English skills in part 3.

Are you preparing to take PTE Academic?

Good news! We have added a new test preparation company to our existing list of providers. This will give you even more options and support in your test preparation.

Try E2Language with a free trial

E2Language is a global online tutorial and test preparation provider. They offer good quality practice services and materials for PTE Academic. E2Language offers online tuition through group and 1-1 learning, supported by a range of YouTube videos that share tips and advice. They offer a set of online preparation materials.

We are always looking to expand and enhance the services we offer our test takers and we believe the addition of E2Language helps us achieve this goal.

Give yourself the best chance of performing well on the day with E2Language – try for free.

The last part of PTE Academic, Part 3: Listening, requires a large combination of core skills.

The very first skill you will need to develop involves how you listen (listening methods).

Below, is information on different types of listening and where you may need to use them during PTE Academic.

Listening Methods

Predicting

One of the listening methods you will need to develop is predicting. Before listening, most people will have some idea about what they are going to listen to and prepare themselves for it. They predict.

It helps to think about the recordings before you hear it spoken, it helps you listen more effectively.

This listening method will help during Select Missing Word questions as the topic of the text you listen to is given in the instructions. It will also help in the Re-tell Lecture questions as the image will give you an idea of the general context of the listening text.

Listening for Gist

Listening for ‘gist’ will allow you to understand the general meaning of a text quickly. When someone is talking, listen in a general way and think about what the speaker is trying to communicate and how they might feel about the topic based on their tone of voice.

When practicing, try to listen for the gist before listening for a second time more intensively for specific information.

This reading method will help in the Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer and Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer questions. Remember in PTE Academic you can not replay the listening track.

Listen for Specific Information

You will also need to be able to listen effectively to find specific information. This is more detailed listening and is often used when you need to answer comprehension questions. You first need to understand what information you are looking for in the text.

When practicing, if you listen to a text that does not have questions write some yourself. Questions that may help could be:

• What happened?

• When did it happen?

• Where did it happen?

• Why did it happen? Or, why did it happen in this way, and not another way?

While listening for specific information, you should listen for synonyms and paraphrasing to match the meaning of the text with the meaning of the questions.  This is because you will not hear the exact words in the question.

Listening to Infer Meaning

At times you can understand what the speakers are saying by inferring meaning, as the information is not always stated by the speakers.

To infer meaning, you need to listen for clues in the text or use general knowledge to guess the meaning of what the speakers are saying. Do this by working out the relationship between the speakers, the tone of voice or the words they use.

You may need to use this listening method in the Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer and Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer questions.

In addition to listening methods, you will also need to understand how words are pronounced on their own and together in a sentence. Read more about pronunciation in Part 2 of Core English Skills.

Want more prep ideas?

Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

• Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

• It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

• Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.

Ready to get started?

Are you thinking about studying in the UK? If so, you’re not alone. Each year, over 500,000 international students enrolled at a UK university. In fact, after the United States, the UK is the second most popular destination for higher education students.  

UK universities are renowned for excellent teaching and cutting-edge research, and UK degrees are highly valued by academics and employers worldwide. But to study there, you’ll need to demonstrate you have an appropriate level of English.  

Our PTE Academic secure language test is accepted by nearly every university in the UK – as well as for all immigration applications. So, what score will you need to earn a spot in a university? Let’s find out:  

What it’s like to study in the UK

When it comes to world rankings, UK universities consistently perform well. According to this year’s QS World University Rankings, four of the top 10 universities around the globe are located in the UK.  

Going to a UK university isn’t just a good move as far as your education goes. It’s also a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture and meet lots of different people.  

The UK is small, but it’s also very diverse. This means your student experience will be quite different, depending on whether you choose to study in a big multicultural city like London or Glasgow, or a smaller university town like St. Andrews or Exeter.  

The amount of money you’ll need to study in the UK will also vary. Student fees differ from institution to institution. At the same time, your accommodation and day-to-day living expenses will depend on where your university is located.  

Check out our guide on the cost of living in the UK.

English language requirements  

To secure a student visa and attend a UK university, you’ll need to prove you have the English speaking, reading, writing and listening skills needed to succeed in your studies.

The PTE Academic English test is accepted by 99% of universities across the UK.

Still, each has slightly different entry requirements. But as a general UK government rule, for programs below degree level – such as a  foundation program – you will need to demonstrate a CEFR B1 level of English. For programs at degree level and above, you will need to demonstrate CEFR B2 level of English.

How does PTE Academic scoring work? 

PTE Academic provides transparent and easy to understand scoring. After taking the test you will receive an overall English score, as well as see how you performed in the Listening, Reading, Speaking, and writing areas of the exam.  

You’ll also get a: 

• Grammar score

• Spelling score

• Oral Fluency score

• Vocabulary score

• Written Discourse score

If you’re happy with your results, you can assign your scores to the universities or institutions you are applying to directly from the myPTE account you created when registering. If you want to improve your scores, you can re-book the test after some more practice.  

Find out how PTE Academic scoring compares with other English tests.