U.K. Border Agency accredits the TOEFL® test for tier 4 student visas in the United Kingdom - 29/07/2010

The U.K. Border Agency (UKBA) announced that the TOEFL^® test is now accredited to demonstrate English language proficiency for students under Tier 4 (general) of the points-based system throughout the United Kingdom.

On July 22nd, the Minister of State for Immigration, Damian Green, issued a new requirement for students under Tier 4 (general) studying below degree level to provide evidence of having passed a U.K. Border Agency-approved secure English language test at a minimum of B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages.

The UKBA reported that a minimum score of 57 for the TOEFL iBT™ test (Listening - 13, Reading - 8, Writing - 17, and Speaking - 19) was required. The TOEFL test, the most widely accepted English language assessment worldwide, has already been used in the U.K. for Tier 1 and Tier 2 (work visas) since the introduction of the points-based system. More than 7,500 colleges and universities around the world, including most higher education institutions in the U.K., U.S., and Australia, accept the TOEFL test to demonstrate English proficiency.

"ETS is delighted that the TOEFL test is now accredited by the UKBA for this purpose," commented Ian Lucas, Executive Director, ETS Global, U.K. "We are so pleased that the TOEFL test will now be recognised in the U.K. to demonstrate English proficiency under Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 4 of the points-based system."