Pearson and UCL launch AI research partnership

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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.

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    LONDON - May 13, 2026 – Each year, the UK welcomes hundreds of thousands of international students. For these students, English proficiency plays a critical role, not only in academic performance, but in confidence, integration and longer term success.

    To support this, Pearson is partnering with Independent Higher Education (IHE), a representative body for more than 90 higher education providers across the UK. 

    Through this collaboration, Pearson and IHE will deliver a series of events and webinars designed to help universities:

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    Planned activities include contributions to IHE’s international network day and its annual conference, alongside dedicated learning sessions developed in collaboration with member providers.
    International education is a vital part of the UK’s future. By working together, Pearson and IHE aim to support institutions in creating environments where international students can thrive, during their studies and beyond.

    About Pearson

    At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

    Media contact: ellen.clark@pearson.com

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    LONDON: 10 July 2025 – Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s lifelong learning company, today announces enhancements to the Pearson Test of English (PTE), bringing new advances in secure, accurate, and trusted assessment.

    Starting in August 2025, PTE Academic will introduce two new speaking tasks: “Respond to a Situation” and “Summarize a Group Discussion”. These additions precisely assess how test takers communicate in real-world situations, demonstrating key skills needed for academic and professional success.

    The scoring model is also being enhanced, with advanced AI working alongside human experts to better detect copied or unoriginal responses.

    To help test takers perform at their best, Pearson has introduced new preparation resources tailored to the enhanced PTE Academic, including scored practice tests, PTE expert courseware, test taker webinars, and video content.

    Trusted fundamentals remain

    The core features of PTE remain: it is fully computer-based, primarily AI scored, and delivers fast results, typically within two days. The test continues to be trusted by more than 3,500 institutions and millions of learners worldwide.

    Growth in global test center network

    PTE’s secure test center network continues to expand worldwide, with 30 centers opened so far in 2025, bringing the total to 517 locations. New openings across Canada, China, Australia, India, Vietnam, and 12 other countries are supporting growth in key migration and study abroad markets.

    Sharon Hague, President of English Language Learning at Pearson, said:

    “As English becomes ever more important for global education, careers, and migration, we are investing in the future of assessment. We know that English tests must reflect the skills people need to thrive in academic and professional settings and deliver results institutions can trust when the stakes are high. We’re responding with enhanced test security and new tasks that better reflect real-world communication. And because these are life-changing moments for test takers, we’re providing new preparation tools to help them feel confident and ready on test day.”

    Helping more learners take the next step

    Pearson’s latest investments meet the different needs of governments, institutions, and learners worldwide, as part of an ongoing programme of innovation and development.

    Enhancements to PTE Academic take effect from August 7, 2025, with further information available on our information page.

    About Pearson

    At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

    Media contact: ellen.clark@pearson.com

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    London, UNITED KINGDOM: 8 May 2025 – Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s lifelong learning company, has announced a partnership with BorderPass, a Canadian lawyer-backed organization dedicated to streamlining the immigration process for students and skilled migrants.

    Pearson and BorderPass are working together to make it easier for Canadian migrants to prove their English language skills. The Pearson Test of English (PTE) will be integrated into the BorderPass platform, allowing for fast and seamless verification of test scores. BorderPass will also guide users to take PTE at the optimal point in their immigration journey, ensuring timely access to the support and resources they need.

    “We’re proud to partner with BorderPass to make English proficiency testing more accessible for international students and skilled migrants in Canada,” said Shileen Costain, Senior Director of Global Stakeholder Engagement. “By combining our efforts, we’re simplifying a critical step for those aspiring to study or work in Canada.”

    “This partnership reinforces our commitments to transparency and efficiency,” said Sally Daub, Co-founder of BorderPass. “Verifying language scores directly on BorderPass allows us to streamline a crucial step for international students and skilled professionals, while empowering institutions to better support global mobility.”

    This collaboration strengthens Pearson’s growing presence in Canada. In 2024, Pearson launched PTE Core, a secure English proficiency test specifically designed to meet the requirements of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), underscoring Pearson’s commitment to supporting test takers worldwide on their immigration journey.

    For more information on PTE, visit www.pearsonpte.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    Ellen Clark, Director of Corporate Communications

    ellen.clark@pearson.com | +44 7780 665958

    Michael Pietrocarlo Head of Marketing, BorderPass

    michael@borderpass.ca

    About Pearson

    At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

    About Pearson PTE

    PTE is a trusted English language proficiency test, opening doors for individuals looking to study, work, or migrate. PTE is accepted by over 3,500 institutions worldwide, and is also accepted by the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and UK governments for all types of visas. Learn more about PTE.