Pearson Advances English Language Assessment with Enhanced PTE Test

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.