Pearson Middle East onboards five new partners for PTE Certified Associates program

PTE Author
PTE Author
Male desktop image - 1640x924px
Reading time: 3 minutes

September 12, 2022: Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, today announced the strengthening and expansion of its partner network in the UAE by onboarding five new entities under the PTE Academic Certified Associates program.

Charms Education and Immigration located in Business Bay, Svarna Training Institute in Burjuman, Emcan Training Institute with centers in Al Nahda, Burjuman, and Deira, IQ Education in Oud Metha, and Y-Axis with multiple branches in Jumeirah Lake Towers and in Sharjah will now act as local partners of Pearson Middle East to provide PTE Academic services - the world’s leading computerized, AI-based English language test for study, work abroad and immigration purposes. The association will help learners, study/work abroad aspirants, and immigration candidates to receive learning, registration, and testing support from Pearson through its partners.

According to Pearson’s 2021 Global Learning Survey (GLS)1, 72% of college students have a new sense of urgency for completing their education. With the pandemic settling down and borders opening up, prominent universities have witnessed a surge in international applications this year and report by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), the UK's shared admissions service for higher education, shows that it has received 2,950 applications from UAE students, 17% more than last year, to study in the UK[2]. This recent growth in student mobility patterns has placed a strong emphasis on creating a dynamic higher education environment and need for an accurate English proficiency test for residential, student, and work visas.

PTE Academic is the world-leading provider of secure English language tests for study applications, accepted by 3,000+ institutions worldwide and recognized for visa applications for work and migration in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. The exam is administered and evaluated by leading Artificial Intelligence technology to ensure accuracy and eliminate any form of bias in its test results. The program also provides a range of preparation options to test takers including Scored Practice Tests, PTE Academic Question Banks and the Official Guide to PTE Academic, offering access to in-depth information and practical advice on each part of the exam.

Commenting on the partnership, Giovanni Giovannelli, President, English Language Learning, said “We at Pearson believe that international education is a holistic ecosystem, one where different stakeholders have equally important roles: Universities, Agents, Language preparation centers, and High stakes test providers, all with a common goal: to help students or migrants achieve their life goals. Our efforts, in line with Pearson’s mission of adding life to lifetime learning, are aimed at empowering learners to prove their English language skills, gain confidence in using the language as a communication medium and achieve their dream of studying or working abroad.”

“PTE has been growing substantially across the globe, and we see the reflection of this in the Middle East region as well. We believe that this collaboration with established institutions and consultants in the UAE will bring the much-needed momentum for aspirants and enable further growth for our business and partners.”

In a joint statement, partners from Y-Axis Middle East, IQ Education, and Emcan Education, commented, “We are delighted to be a part of Pearson’s partner network in the Middle East, and we consider it a milestone in our organizations’ growth, which has been offering learning and testing support to thousands of students for over a decade. More than 95% of students seeking opportunities abroad require an accurate English language proficiency test, and this partnership with Pearson will enable us to further strengthen our services. Moreover, it would also be instrumental in our long-term strategy to become a one-stop destination for all educational, work abroad and immigration requirements.”

With the PTE Academic Test, candidates get unparalleled flexibility for it can be booked as little as 24 hours in advance of a test session (available throughout the week) and the results are available within 48 hours of the test. One major differentiator between PTE Academic and other English Language Tests is the speaking section of PTE tests the integrated skills of speaking and writing, reflecting the way we use language in the real world. Since the speaking section is completed on a computer (and assessed by artificial intelligence), the whole test can be completed on the same day within 2 hours. By registering for the PTE Academic test through one of the listed partners, candidates can make use of the welcome pack with all the necessary information to prepare them for success, additional learning resources, and get their common registration questions responded to quickly and accurately.

Read further information on PTE Academic or its testing centers in the region.

ENDS

[1] https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/news-and-policy/news/2022/05/new-pearson-global-learner-survey-finds-majority--85--globally--.html

[2] https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/2022/02/17/record-number-of-uae-students-apply-to-uk-universities/

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in more than 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.

Related Content

  • Pearson and IHE collaborate to support international students

    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:

    • deepen understanding of English language learning and assessment
    • explore how language proficiency can support international student outcomes
    • share insights and good practice across the sector

    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

  • [Asset] Graduates walking
    Pearson Advances English Language Assessment with Enhanced PTE Test
    By PTE Author

    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

  • [Asset] Students walking together
    Pearson Partners with BorderPass to Support Aspiring Students and Professionals in Canada
    By PTE Author

    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.