Test takers can now choose from 190 locations to take PTE for UK Visas & Immigration

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image- UK 800px x 451px
Reading time: 3 minutes

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 firstsecondthirdfourth, 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

City Country
Tirana Albania
Buenos Aires Argentina
Banja Luka  Bosnia and Herzegovina 
Phnom Penh  Cambodia 
Quito Ecuador
Riga Latvia
Lilongwe Malawi
Mosta Malta
Casablanca Morocco
Maputo Mozambique 
Yangon Myanmar (Burma)
Oslo Norway
Lima Peru
St. Petersburg Russia
Ljubljana Slovenia
Kigali Rwanda

Related Content

  • Image- reading 800px x 451px
    How PTE Academic supports its test outcomes
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 1 minute

    Pearson recently published an Efficacy report looking at PTE Academic.

    The purpose of Pearson’s Efficacy Reporting is to be as open and transparent as possible about how it designs, develops, and evaluates the impact of its products on learners.

    Sarah Hughes, Research & Analysis Manager, helped pull the PTE Academic report together. Below she sets out its key findings:

    “The PTE Academic Assessment Efficacy Report explains how our research relates to three key indicators of assessment quality: validity, reliability, and fairness.

    • Validity evidence demonstrates that test scores can be used and interpreted for the defined purpose of the test. For PTE Academic, it is important that the test scores provide a meaningful reflection of a test taker’s language proficiency that can be understood around the world and used to help them make the next step in their journey.

    • Reliability is a measurement concept, which means that scoring is consistent over time, across multiple test forms, and/or over multiple administrations. Any time a candidate takes the test, they should be presented with the same opportunity for consistent measurement.

    • Fairness in assessment means that the test is not systematically biased and that scores can be interpreted in the same way for all test takers. PTE Academic’s research into fairness and automated scoring ensure that test-takers are given the same opportunity to demonstrate their language proficiency regardless of gender, race/ethnicity, for instance.”

    Read the PTE Academic Assessment Efficacy Report (PDF 940KB).

    View the full range of research conducted on PTE Academic.

  • Group studying and working together 1000px W
    New centers open and new universities sign up as PTE Academic demand grows
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 1 minute

    With 34% global growth this year, more test takers than ever are selecting PTE Academic as their first choice English language exam for studying and working abroad.

    To meet this demand, we have opened 14 brand new state of the art Pearson VUE test centers across the globe so far in 2018 to give test takers even greater flexibility when choosing the venue and date for their PTE Academic exam.

    For example, five centers have opened in major cities across Australia including Adelaide, Perth, and Sydney. Likewise in India, a further nine Pearson VUE test centers have recently opened across the country, in cities such as Delhi, Surat, and Ahmedabad, to give test takers a greater choice of venue.

    In addition, we have opened a further 21 new third-party test centers this year.

    Alongside this, increasing numbers of universities worldwide are accepting PTE Academic as the test by which prospective students can prove their English skills. Recent additions include:

    • University College of Northern Denmark (UCN)

    • UNITAR International University, Malaysia

    • Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway

    • East Asia Institute of Management, Singapore

    • EAE Business School, Spain

    • Norwich University of the Arts, UK

    • Illinois State University, USA

    • University College of Northern Denmark (UCN)

    Search the full list of universities which recognize PTE Academic.

    Take the next step

  • Image- European students, 800px x 451px
    New PTE Academic test center opens in Italy
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    From April Italian based test takers will be able to take PTE Academic to study or work abroad

    Starting earlier this month, candidates can now take PTE Academic every Wednesday at the Pearson Italia Test Center in Milan, scheduling up to 24 hours in advance and getting results typically within 5 business days – often much quicker with over 85% of results returned within 2 days in 2018.

    PTE Academic is recognized by thousands of programs in the USA, 100% of Australian, New Zealand, and Irish Universities, over 98% of UK universities, and 90% of Canadian. It is also one of the few language qualifications accepted for Visa purposes by the Australian and New Zealand governments.

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

    “I’m delighted that we are opening a PTE Academic Test Center in Milan and that Italian students can now experience what PTE Academic has to offer – an unbiased, secure, fast and accurate test of their English language ability skills.”

    “PTE Academic is a high-stakes test that we at Pearson are very proud of. It is one of the few tests accepted by thousands of academic programs around the world as well as for Australian and New Zealand visa applications. It provides unbiased proof of a candidate’s English skills and scores are returned quickly – more than 85% within 2 days in 2018 – all achieved through our use of leading AI technology.”

    The PTE Academic Center in Milan is located via Arconati 1 (Porta Vittoria Station, bus 92, tram 12). Pearson provides plenty of preparation to get ready for the exam, such as:

    Explore all PTE Academic preparation resources or book your test today.