We have test centers in over 115 countries. Choose a test to find your nearest test center and next available test slot.
For global study, visa applications to Australia and New Zealand, and professional registration.
For IRCC permanent residency (PR) and citizenship applications in Canada.
A four-skills test for work visas and below non-degree study in the UK.
Two-skills tests for joining family, visa extentions, or citizenship in the UK.
I want to access to...
myPTE account
Book a test or check your existing bookings and scores
or
UK culture and traditions are rich and diverse – and it’s not all about drinking tea at 5 o’clock, we promise. There are lots of British festivals and events, and you’ll never find yourself stuck for things to see and do. If you’re studying at a British university, you’ll definitely want to make your time as memorable as possible.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best cultural events and festivals in the UK. You can take a break from your studies and go exploring at weekends throughout the academic year.
With everything from flower shows to fashion shows - you’re sure to find a UK festival that suits you.
Read on to discover the best 10 British cultural events for international students.
Are you an international fashion student studying in London? Or someone with an eye for the latest trends? If so, London Fashion Week may be one to check off your list.
Watch world-class designers showcase their newest collections, attend one of the live catwalk events and meet famous fashion influencers. Or simply take the opportunity to do a bit of designer shopping!
London Fashion Week happens twice a year in September and February. (The last two seasons have been available to watch online for the general public). Find more information on the next LFW here.
The Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors is the largest protected area in the whole of the United Kingdom. It’s also home to some of the darkest places in England. Hence, why they’ve created a Dark Skies Fringe Festival for the second time this year.
So, if you like star-gazing, free from light polluted skies, why not try one of their events?
They include night walks with telescopes in the national parks. Alongside this, are talks from astronomers, authors, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Dark Skies Festival happens twice a year in October/February. Find the full programme on their website.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a five day festival celebrated in different Sikh, Hindu, and Jain communities around the UK. And if you attend university in Leicester, you’ll be sure to witness some of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside India!
Spectators can enjoy vibrant street parties, light displays, lanterns, and sweet treats. Not to mention there’s an array of firework displays that happen throughout the city, which represent the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
Diwali celebrations start in late October or early November. Find the full program for Diwali in Leicester here.
Are you a film buff? You definitely shouldn’t miss out on the annual Glasgow film festival.
Located in Scotland’s largest city, this is one of the UK’s top film events, where audiences can watch the best of local and international cinema. They show a wide range of film genres, from art-house to horror to cult classics, and even have some guest appearances from famous stars like Hot Fuzz actor, Simon Pegg.
Glasgow Film Festival starts at the end of February. See the full program here.
If you like plants and flowers then this event is a must! Regarded as the most important flower show in the world, the Chelsea Flower Show is now a British tradition. It happens every spring in London. Due to its prestige, it is even attended by members of the British Royal Family.
Expect to see ultra-modern gardens, impressive flower displays, and the most recent advances in sustainable horticulture.
The next RHS Chelsea Flower Show is in May. Buy tickets here.
Have you heard of the Hay Festival? If you’re studying literature, or just love reading, this may be one for you.
Hay Festival brings together readers and writers for ten days of storytelling in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. Performers share poems, books, plays and speeches. And guests are often some of the most well-known authors of the year.
Hay Festival normally happens in May/June. Find more information here.
With over 200,000 people attending the five-day festival, Glastonbury is one of the world’s biggest and most famous music events.
Worthy Farm in the town of Pilton transforms into a small city, full of hundreds of stalls and stages and over 30 campsites. It’s an incredible place to wander about and take in the sights and sounds.
The festival has also hosted some of the best live music acts such as Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, and Beyoncé.
You can buy full camping or single day-entries. But, be warned, Glastonbury tickets can be difficult to purchase and sell out in minutes. So, make sure you register in advance and follow the sign-up steps carefully.
Glastonbury festival is normally held on the last weekend of June. Find the latest information on dates and lineup here.
Fans of Mozart, Beethoven, and Mendhelson will love tickets to The Proms. This is an eight-week summer of classical music concerts and events, and one of the most significant in the classical music calendar.
‘Proms’ is short for Promenade concerts, which were originally a series of outdoor concerts, sold for low-cost tickets.
Although the concerts are now held at The Royal Albert Hall, the organisers still aim to present the best music to the biggest possible audience for an affordable price. Tickets start at £6!
The Proms are held from August to September. Find more information on how to buy tickets here.
Arts and drama students will definitely love the Edinburgh Festival. Each year Scotland’s capital turns into the largest arts festival in the world.
With over 40,000 performances and hundreds of stages across the city, there’s something for everyone. So you can enjoy a range of acts from arts, crafts, music, dance, comedy, opera, spoken word to cabaret to your heart’s content!
The Edinburgh Fringe takes place in August. Find out more information here on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.
Top Tip: This festival happens at the same time as the Edinburgh International Festival, another top event, featuring opera, music, theatre, and dance, for visitors from all over the world.
Every year, the streets of west London burst into color with the arrival of Notting Hill Carnival. The carnival was held for the first time in 1966 – and has since grown in popularity. Attracting over two and a half million people, this is by far Europe’s largest street festival.
Revellers will see the streets lined with colorful processions, vibrant costumes, steel drums, and live stages with gigantic sound systems – all inspired by West Indian culture.
Don’t leave until you’ve danced to the sounds of reggae and salsa, and tasted some of the most delicious food from one of the hundreds of Caribbean food stalls!
Notting Hill Carnival happens on the August bank holiday. Find out more here.
To study for a degree at a university in the UK, you’ll first need to prove you have the right English proficiency to do so.
PTE Academic is accepted by 99% of UK universities, and you can use it for your student visa application from the UK Home Office. Find out more about booking your test today and planning for your study abroad experience in the UK.
The Summarize Group Discussion task is one of the most comprehensive speaking challenges in PTE Academic. It tests your ability to listen actively, take effective notes, and deliver a coherent summary that captures multiple perspectives.
Understanding how to approach this task strategically can significantly boost your speaking score.
The "Respond to a Situation" task in the Speaking section of PTE Academic tests your ability to handle real-world university scenarios using appropriate language. This task simulates everyday campus interactions, requiring you to respond naturally and effectively to common situations you might encounter as a student.
Knowing your English level helps you pick the right course, get visas, and make strong applications for work or school. In short: proficiency levels are standard descriptions of what you can do in reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
You can check your level with trusted online tests or official exams like PTE Academic or PTE Core, which give scores based on global standards. Below, we explain how levels are defined, how they’re tested, how to estimate your current ability, and what different goals usually need, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
Language proficiency levels show how well you can read, listen, speak, and write. These levels follow shared standards so schools, employers, and governments around the world can easily understand your skills.
The most common system is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which rates language ability from beginner (A1) to highly advanced (C2). A recent overview explains CEFR’s role as a standard for designing tests and interpreting scores across countries and programs and notes ongoing efforts to keep it up to date for modern assessments.
Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides a more granular 10–90 scale that also aligns to CEFR tiers. This makes it easier to see fine-grained progress and map scores to CEFR bands.
Typical CEFR levels at a glance:
A1: Understand and use everyday expressions; introduce yourself; ask and answer simple questions
A2: Handle routine tasks; describe immediate needs and simple aspects of daily life
B1: Understand main points of clear standard input; produce simple connected text; manage travel or work situations
B2: Interact with fluency on familiar topics; write clear, detailed text; follow lectures with some support
C1: Use English flexibly and effectively in academic and professional contexts; understand demanding texts
C2: Understand virtually everything heard or read; summarize information coherently; express nuanced ideas precisely
Common uses:
A1-A2: Mainly used for basic immigration visas, family reunification, entry-level work or training programs, and integration courses where simple everyday communication is sufficient.
B1–B2: Many vocational programs, initial professional roles, and some visa pathways
B2–C1: Most undergraduate admissions and professional certifications
C1–C2: Postgraduate study, specialized professions, and roles requiring complex communication
Proficiency is measured across four core skills:
Reading:Understanding texts, identifying main ideas and details, and interpreting vocabulary in context
Listening : Following speech at natural speed, recognizing key information, and inferring meaning
Speaking: Producing clear, organized speech; using accurate grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Writing: Composing well-structured texts suited to purpose and audience; demonstrating control of grammar and cohesion
The scoring for most English language tests is measured against the CEFR. For The scores for PTE Academic (for studying and work) and PTE Core (for general use and migration), align to CEFR with scoring between 10 and 90. Learn more about PTE scoring alignment.
Build a reliable picture by mixing official tests with quick checks and reflective habits:
Take a recognized practice test: Use an official Pearson PTE Scored Practice materials Test
or other reputable online assessments to estimate your CEFR level and identify strengths and gaps
Practice with PTE-style items: Work through sample reading tasks (e.g., fill-in-the-blanks), listening summaries, and short spoken responses to simulate real test conditions.
Use self-analysis prompts that match the CEFR level you are aiming for: For example, ask, “Can I follow a university lecture?”, “Can I write a formal email with clear structure?”, “Can I explain a process or opinion for 60–90 seconds?”
Requirements vary, but many universities, colleges, professional bodies, and visa authorities set minimum thresholds around B1–C1, or the equivalent GSE score range of 43-84 for PTE Academic and PTE Core. . Some UK family and settlement visas require A1 or A2 level. Always confirm details with the program or government authority.
Typical requirement ranges (illustrative):
University / College admission:
Undergraduate: Often B2; competitive programs may prefer C1
Postgraduate: Commonly C1
Professional certification:
General professional registration: Frequently B2–C1
Visa/migration pathways:
Skilled migration: Typically B1–B2+ equivalents; some routes require higher levels depending on occupation
Family visas: Often A1-A2.
For Canadian migration scenarios, explore PTE Core requirements and pathways here.
For UK migration, consider PTE UK visa SELT tests.
For many learners, English isn't just the goal; it’s the way to get degrees, licenses, and international jobs. Universities and employers look at test scores to decide who to admit or hire. Once students are in university or at work, success depends on great communication (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) skills, whether it's doing research or talking to clients.
Research indicates that higher English proficiency supports academic performance and integration for international students, improving classroom participation and social engagement. In the workplace, clear communication underpins teamwork, safety, and advancement, making ongoing skill development a career investment, not just a test goal.
Target all four skills with short, consistent practice:
Daily core routine (20–40 minutes):
Listening: Listen to 2–3 minutes of a podcast or lecture; note new phrases
Speaking: Answer one daily Q&A aloud (60–90 seconds) on familiar topics
Reading: Skim a news article; summarize the main idea in two sentences
Writing: Draft a short email or 120–150 word paragraph; focus on structure and linking words
Quick wins:
Grammar and vocabulary: Do 10 fill-in-the-blank or sentence completion items; build a personal word bank with examples
Reading for context: Underline signal words (however, therefore) and infer meaning of three unknown words from context
Listening focus: Practice identifying the overarching meaning first, then the key details and numbers
Feedback loop: Swap writing with a friend or use self-scoring checklists; act on one improvement point per day
To prepare for your English exam, practice with practice tests that are similar to your actual test and check the scoring guidelines to make sure your answers meet the expectations. If you aren't sure where to start take our 'Which test is right for me?' tool. You can also read our article 'How to pick an English test that works for you'.
Practice short answers to everyday prompts like “What did you do today?” and “What do you like to eat?” to build fluency and reduce hesitation.
Use clarifiers such as “Could you repeat that more slowly?” or “Do you mean…?” to confirm meaning and keep the conversation clear.
Do fill-in-the-blanks, sentence completion, and synonym/antonym matching to reinforce patterns and expand word choice.
Study common task types (reading comprehension, short writing, gap-fill, brief speaking responses) and practice them under timed conditions to build accuracy and pacing. You can also try practice tests to get used to the format of a specific test, like PTE.
![[asset] Understanding your English proficiency - woman studying on laptop](/content/dam/ELL/pte/pearsonpte/articles/-asset--Understanding-your-English-proficiency---woman-studying-on-laptop.png)