Third phase of PTE centers approved to deliver tests for UKVI

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image- Tower bridge UK, 1080px
Reading time: 3 minutes

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

Related Content

  • Image - Asian man reading a book 800px
    PTE Academic launches free Online course to help test takers
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    PTE Academic has launched a brand new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC); ‘Introduction to PTE Academic’, which is available free of charge to all users.

    The course is designed to familiarise candidates with the test structure and question types for PTE Academic through video guidance and online practice.

    The course was developed in partnership with E2Language, a global online test preparation and tuition provider for PTE Academic and other English language assessments.

    Dan Doyle, PTE Academic Vice President Product Management and Delivery, explains, “This course suits anyone who is unfamiliar with PTE Academic and needs to understand the essentials about what it is they are likely to face in the test in just a few short hours.”

    Jarrad Merlo ( Jay), Co-founder of E2Language, further states “Candidates often don’t know which test to take. This MOOC will give candidates a very quick overview of PTE Academic and the information they need to make the right choice for them.”

    The course is equally useful for any teachers or Higher Education Institutions who are considering preparing their students for PTE Academic.

    Throughout the course, Jay briefly offers guidance on how they should respond to the example questions presented. The course simulates each of the questions types in PTE Academic allowing users to try out their own techniques for attempting the questions before receiving guidance.

    After completing the course users are encouraged to undertake further preparation in order to maximize their chances of achieving their desired score on the test. Candidates can choose from a wide range of quality PTE Academic self-study resources including books, a mobile phone app for practice on the go and our unique fully Scored Practice Test – which gives an indicator of how they may perform on the test.

    For alternative preparation resources and tutor-lead support, PTE Academic has a range of preparation partners including E2Language to help provided targeted preparation based on where help is needed.

  • Image- Pakistan - 750 x 495px
    PTE Academic test center opens in Pakistan
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 1 minute

    Test takers can now take PTE Academic in Pakistan after the official opening of a new center in Islamabad this week.

    Pearson has partnered with JNS Education to open the PTE Testing Center in Islamabad.