PTE news

London/ Boston, December 9th, 2019: Pearson, the world’s learning company, today announced a partnership with Shorelight, a leader in international education that provides life-changing experiences for international learners at U.S. universities.

The partnership will offer PTE Academic as an English language test option across Shorelight’s many programs, applicants, and partner universities. Shorelight partners with top-tier universities to build innovative degree programs and provide high-touch services that support students from the application process to graduation—and beyond.

PTE Academic is a leading global English language test, taken by people looking to study or work abroad who need to prove their English language skills for acceptance to university or for migration. It is already accepted by thousands of universities and academic programs in the USA, including Columbia, Harvard, NYU, Princeton, and Yale.

“We know PTE Academic is becoming the preferred test for many students,” said Meredith Stokes, US Recognition Director, PTE Academic. “Our partnership with Shorelight will enable us to reach wider numbers of USA-bound students and leading universities. Shorelight works with a wide-ranging partnership of leading U.S. universities, many of whom recognize PTE Academic already, and we look forward to partnering with them to open up the option of using our test across the others.”

“We are partnering with PTE Academic to give students access to as many channels as possible to take a secure English test,” said Ben Woody, Assistant Director, Admissions at Shorelight. “While PTE continues to grow their global footprint, our partnership will increase opportunities for students to discover, study and achieve a degree from top-ranked universities in the United States.”

Shorelight partners universities include: Adelphi University, American University, Auburn University, Cleveland State University, Florida International University, Louisiana State University, Mercer University, UCLA Extension, University of Central Florida, University of Dayton, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Kansas, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Mississippi, University of New Hampshire, University of South Carolina, University of the Pacific, and the University of Utah.

London, January 5th, 2021, 9 AM: Pearson, the world’s learning company, has announced its next phase of locations where people can take PTE as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) purposes. 

Today, the UK Government approved Pearson to open bookings for SELT testing in a further 17 locations including Oslo, St Petersburg, Riga, and Casablanca. With the exception of Quito, all these locations see their first-ever PTE centers opening. 

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test center network. Pearson VUE’s network of test centers has implemented proactive health and safety measures including, but not limited to, readily available hand sanitizer, increased sanitization in high touch areas, and the regular disinfection of testing workstations (completed between each test taker). These measures support the safety of both testing candidates and staff. Face masks are required at all Pearson VUE-owned test centers. 

Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President of English Assessment at Pearson, said: 

“The New Year is traditionally a time when people set themselves new goals and challenges and this can involve major life changes, such as moving abroad to work, study, or start a new life. 

“For those who have decided their future is in the UK and who need a Secure English Language Test to help them get there, PTE is on hand to help. ” 

Pearson’s SELT tests are as follows:  

• PTE Academic (UKVI) – a four-skills language test accepted for work and study visas. It tests Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening skills.

• PTE Home – a two-skills language test accepted for family, settlement, citizenship applications as well as Sportsperson and Representative of an Overseas Business applications. It tests speaking and listening skills.

Today’s news (following our first, second, third, fourth, and fifth phase announcements) brings our overall total of UKVI approved locations to 190. This completes our phased rollout of locations for UKVI, although we will continue to adapt provision in line with demand. 

Test takers should review our test centers and fees to keep up to date on the latest approved locations.  

Read more information on the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration process. 

For media queries contact media@pearson.com

Pearson, the world’s learning company, today announced that five new colleges will be utilizing the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). With this announcement, PTE Academic is now recognized by 90 percent of all post-secondary institutions across Canada.

Unlike other tests, PTE Academic is a 100 percent computer-based test. Designed and monitored by people, the examination is administered and evaluated by leading Artificial Intelligence technology to ensure accuracy and lack of bias in its test results. Pearson’s PTE Academic test is now recognized at:

• Holland College (Charlottetown, PEI)

• Coast Mountain College (Terrace, British Columbia)

• Focus College (Kelowna, BC)

• Oulton College (Moncton, NB)

• Northern Lights College (Dawson Creek, BC)

“We are looking forward to working with Pearson Canada and the PTE Academic test as a means for prospective students to meet the English Language Proficiency for access to the College. Having reliable results will enable us to better support our students as they begin their academic adventure at Coast Mountain College,” says Stephen Salem, Director, Institutional Research and Registrar.

Other leading Canadian institutions which recognize PTE Academic include the University of British Columbia and McGill University. The test is also recognized by more than 2,000 universities worldwide.

Pearson’s platform enables test-takers to schedule a test at their convenience, and test results are returned within five days, with 85 percent of results returned within a two-day period in 2018.

“We believe PTE Academic offers a huge advantage to test takers,” said Marlene Olsavsky, Managing Director at Pearson Canada. “Our use of leading AI technology means colleges can trust that students’ English proficiency levels are scored accurately and with no bias. We also know students like the flexibility of booking and fast results we offer – making PTE Academic the increasingly popular English language test worldwide.”

Explore the full list of the Institutions which recognize us.

Editor’s note (November 2025): As of November 2025, PTE tests are no longer available in Myanmar due to changes affecting payment processing and test delivery.

Pearson now delivers Secure English Language Test (SELT) exams for UK visas in all Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. 

PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, and PTE Home tests are available at 29 locations in total across the 10 ASEAN countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam as of December 2024.

English is the working language of the 10 member ASEAN bloc, which is home to more than 650 million people and as many as 1,000 languages. 

The ASEAN PTE centers are located at:

• Brunei Darussalam: Bandar Seri Begawan 

• Cambodia: Phnom Penh 

• Indonesia: Jakarta, Surabaya, Pontianak 

• Japan: Chiyoda-ku, Osaka shi, Shinjuku 

• Korea, South: Busan, Seoul 

• Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Vientiane 

• Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sabah, Selangor 

• Philippines: Baguio City, Cebu, Davao, Makati, Makati City, Manila 

• Singapore: Singapore 

• Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Pathumthani 

• Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City 

Book a PTE test today or view prices and your nearest test center.

Last updated 05 November 2025.

Test takers in Pakistan and Sri Lanka who want to come to the UK to work, study, or live can now take PTE for UK Visa & Immigration purposes in these countries.

People can now book their tests at approved PTE UKVI centers in Lahore and Islamabad – Pakistan and at two centers in Colombo – Sri Lanka.

See the recent virtual launch events for both countries:

London, February 4, 2020: Pearson, the world’s learning company, and the UCL Institute of Education today launched a new three-year project collaboration looking at the role of AI in English Language assessment.

The research will focus on test-takers end to end experience of taking PTE (Pearson’s leading high stakes test of English) for either study or migration purposes. This fully digital test is delivered through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing business of Pearson. The latest AI technology is used for scoring; biometric data collection provides enhanced security measures and voice recognition software is applied for the speaking element of the test. These cutting-edge technologies ensure the provision of an impartial and highly accurate test of people’s English language proficiency.

The purpose of the research will be to ensure that global test-taker responses are fed back into the ongoing development and use of AI in assessment and to ensure the fairness, accuracy, and validity of these tests.

Commissioned by the PTE research team, the project will be led by UCL Associate Professors Dr. Mary Richardson and Dr. Sandra Leaton-Gray.

Dr. Mary Richardson said: “If you take an English oral exam, for example, you want a system that gives you the marks you deserve, whether you learned English originating from America, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Malta, or Hong Kong. All those different, slightly subtle local variations in vocabulary and sentence structure need to be built into the assessment model, so you get a fair mark. This is where artificial intelligence can really help us.”

Her views are echoed by Dr. Rose Clesham, Director of Academic Standards, Measurement, and Research for PTE: “Pearson has been working in the area of Artificial Intelligence in assessment for some time. There is a real potential to revolutionize the way people take low and high stakes tests, the way we mark them, and how we provide results and feedback. This new collaboration between PTE and the UCL Institute of Education will put our test takers right at the heart of the assessment process.”

PTE Academic is one of the fastest-growing products in Pearson and is a strategic growth priority for the company, posting 17% growth in test volumes last year. The test is accepted by the UK, Australian, and New Zealand Governments for all visa applications. It is also accepted by 100% of Australian, New Zealand, and Irish Universities, 98% of UK universities, and more than 2,000 academic programs in the USA.

Alongside this, we have recently launched PTE Home, a two-skills language test accepted by the UK Government for family, settlement, or citizenship applications. It tests speaking and listening skills.

Pearson, the world’s learning company, has announced a further four test centers in England where people can take PTE as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) purposes.

The locations are based in Leicester, Luton, Newcastle, and Oxford and bring the total number of UKVI approved PTE centers in the UK to 22. These centers are expected to open later in April.

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test center network. Some UK test centers will not be operating at full capacity, due to current COVID-19 social distancing requirements, as mandated by the UK government and local authorities.

Pearson VUE has also implemented proactive health and safety measures including, but not limited to, readily available hand sanitizer, increased sanitization in high touch areas, and the regular disinfection of testing workstations (completed between each test taker). These measures support the safety of both testing candidates and staff. Face masks are required at all Pearson VUE-owned test centers.

Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President of English Assessment, Pearson said: “We are always looking to expand our test center network. Our aim is to give candidates a wide choice of where they take their PTE exam.

“We have chosen Luton, Leicester, Oxford and Newcastle to meet demand and be convenient for our customers and we are pleased to widen the opportunity to sit an English Language test for UK Visa purposes through either PTE Home or PTE Academic UKVI.”

Pearson’s SELT tests are as follows:

• PTE Academic (UKVI) – a four-skills language test accepted for work and study visas. It tests Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening skills.

• PTE Home – a two-skills language test accepted for family, settlement, citizenship applications as well as Sportsperson and Representative of an Overseas Business applications. It tests speaking and listening skills.

In total there are now 194 locations across the globe offering PTE for UKVI. Find prices and view all test centers.

Read more information on the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration process.

For media queries contact media@pearson.com

Notes to Editors  

The full list of UK locations are Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Croydon, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, London (Central x 2), London (North), London (West), Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Wolverhampton.

About Pearson 

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high-quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company. Learn more about Pearson.

London, May 21 2020: Pearson, the world’s learning company, has announced that people looking to work or live or study in the UK can now start to book PTE tests in a number of locations worldwide to help them prepare for this move.

Today the UK Government approved Pearson to open bookings and start delivering Secure English Language Tests (SELT) for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) in an initial 20 locations, including China. Bookings can be taken at all 20 locations, with 11 of the locations open to deliver testing, and the remaining 9 to open once individual COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

It is expected that all remaining SELT testing locations, including the UK, will become operational in phases during this summer.

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test center network. All operating test centers will continue to follow guidance and notifications from public health officials for preventing the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing, to support the safety of test takers and staff.

This news comes at a time when many test takers are unable to visit a test center due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Freya Thomas Monk, Pearson Senior Vice President of English Assessment, said: “I am pleased that we can now offer PTE at some locations for UKVI purposes.

“This means people can start to book, and in some cases take PTE as they continue to get ready to come to study, work or live in the UK.

“We advise test takers to check all relevant travel restrictions and health & safety requirements before they do so.”

Dr Gary A Gates, Senior Vice President at Pearson VUE added: “We are delighted to start providing Secure English Language Tests across our global test center network. The fully digital test employs AI technology to offer an impartial and highly accurate test of the English language proficiency of test takers around the world.”

Pearson’s SELT tests are focused on immigration requirements and the details are as follows:

• PTE Academic (UKVI) – a four-skills language test accepted for work and study visas. It tests speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

• PTE Home – a two skills language test accepted for family, settlement, citizenship applications as well as Sportsperson and Representative of an Overseas Business applications. It tests speaking and listening skills.

PTE Academic is one of the fastest-growing products in Pearson and is a strategic growth priority for the company, posting 17% growth in test volumes last year. The test is already accepted by the Australian and New Zealand Governments for all visa applications. It is also accepted by 100% of Australian, New Zealand and Irish Universities and 98% of UK universities.

Notes to Editors:

1. Pearson is the world’s learning company with more than 22,500 employees operating in 70 countries. We provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are committed to helping equip learners with the skills they need to enhance their employability prospects and to succeed in the changing world of work. We believe that wherever learning flourishes so do people.

2. More information on PTE tests.

3. PTE Home is a new, computer-based English test that supports individuals, families and communities wishing to live, work or stay in the UK on their journey from arrival to settlement. Results are typically available within 48 hours, reducing the stress that can be associated with a long wait for results.

4. Pearson VUE has been a pioneer in the computer-based testing industry for decades, delivering more than 16 million certification and licensure exams annually in every industry from academia and admissions to IT and healthcare. We are the global leaders in developing and delivering high-stakes exams via the world’s most comprehensive network of nearly 20,000 test centers as well as online testing in over 180 countries. Our leadership in the assessment industry is a result of our collaborative partnerships with a broad range of clients, from leading technology firms to government and regulatory agencies. For more information, please visit

5. Pearson VUE continues to monitor the situation and make decisions about test center operations in accordance with government and local authorities. Please check this page often for frequent updates:

6. Under the UK Home Office commercial agreements Pearson will deliver a) SELT tests for those already in the UK, b) SELT tests for those in the rest of the world.

7. For more information on the UK Home Office Visa and Immigration process and the other test providers click.

For media queries contact media@pearson.com

July 21st, 2020 9 AM London: Pearson, the world’s learning company, has announced the third phase of locations where people can now take PTE as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) purposes. 

Today, the UK Government approved Pearson to open bookings for SELTs in a further 23 locations. This includes another 6 centres in the UK – Belfast, Birmingham, Peterborough, Portsmouth, London and Sheffield – and 17 centres globally in locations such as Dubai, Islamabad, and Lagos. 

Bookings can be taken at all locations, with the majority of these locations open now to deliver testing.

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test centre network. Third-party test centres are educated on the COVID-19 health and safety and sanitization measures being taken in Pearson VUE-owned test centres and it is recommended that they implement similar measures such as increased disinfecting and hygienic procedures to support the safety of testing candidates and staff. 

Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President of English Assessment at Pearson, said “We have seen high demand since our first locations were approved to book and deliver PTE as a Secure English Language Test for UK Visa and Immigration purposes. 

“Today’s announcement brings our total of UKVI approved locations to over a hundred, with more locations set to follow. This is great news as it gives an even wider choice of test location for those who are looking to move to the UK to work, study, or live.” 

Pearson’s SELT tests are as follows:  

• PTE Academic (UKVI) – a four-skills language test accepted for work and study visas. It tests speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

• PTE Home – a two skills language test accepted for family, settlement, citizenship applications as well as Sportsperson and Representative of an Overseas Business applications. It tests speaking and listening skills. 

Today’s announcement (following our first and second phase announcements) brings our overall total of UKVI approved locations to 115. It is expected that all remaining SELT testing locations will become operational over the coming months. Test takers should review our latest prices and approved test center locations.  

Read more information on the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration process. 

For media queries contact Media Relations at media@pearson.com