Study Abroad
What IELTS or PTE score do Nepali students need for the UK? How the B2/B1 visa rule, IELTS for UKVI, university minimums, sub-scores and two-year validity work in 2026.
"Do I need IELTS for UKVI or normal IELTS?" "What PTE score does a UK university want?" These are some of the most common questions Nepali students ask before applying to Britain. The answer depends on two separate checks: the UK Student visa rule set by the Home Office, and the entry requirement set by your university. This guide explains the IELTS requirements for the UK for Nepali students, the PTE equivalents, when you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT), and how to plan your test so it is still valid when you apply.
Scores, test names and centre lists change. Treat every number below as a guide and check the official GOV.UK page and your university's course page before you book a test.
The UK Student visa does not set an IELTS score directly. Instead, GOV.UK uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
Degree level or above (bachelor's, master's, PhD): English equivalent to CEFR B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Below degree level (for example many foundation or pathway courses): CEFR B1.
The Immigration Rules (Appendix Student) require this level in all four skills. Nepali applicants are not exempt by nationality, so you will need to show your English in one of the accepted ways.
1. Your university assesses your English (degree level only). GOV.UK says that if you study at degree level or above with a Higher Education Provider, the university can assess your English itself. It may accept a test such as IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, or another method, as long as the level is equivalent to B2. The university must then state on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) that you meet the requirement and how it assessed you.
2. A Secure English Language Test (SELT). If your university does not assess your English, or you are studying below degree level, you need a SELT from a Home Office approved provider. When a SELT is used, your CAS must show the test provider, your unique reference number and your score in each skill.
There is also a route for people who already hold a degree taught in English. GOV.UK says that if your degree was taught in English outside the UK, you can apply to Ecctis for an assessment confirming it is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher and was taught in English. Some Nepali graduates may be able to use this, but it depends on your degree and the evidence, so ask your university first.
IELTS Academic is the normal test most universities accept for admission. If your university assesses your English for a degree-level course, IELTS Academic is often enough.
IELTS for UKVI is the SELT version. It is the same style of test, but it is taken at a Home Office approved test centre under SELT rules. You need it when your course or university asks for a SELT, for example many pre-sessional, foundation or other below-degree courses.
The same applies to PTE: PTE Academic is for admission, while PTE Academic UKVI is the SELT version. Before you book, ask your university one direct question: "Do you need a SELT, or do you accept IELTS Academic or PTE Academic?"
According to the GOV.UK SELT page (last updated 2 November 2026), if you test outside the UK you can only take a SELT with:
PSI Services (UK) Ltd (Skills for English UKVI)
IELTS SELT Consortium (IELTS for UKVI)
LANGUAGECERT (LanguageCert Academic SELT and other SELT versions)
Pearson (PTE Academic UKVI)
The Home Office list of approved tests taken outside the UK sets these B2 minimums for each of the four skills:
IELTS for UKVI: 5.5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
PTE Academic UKVI: 59 in each skill.
LanguageCert Academic SELT: 60 in each skill.
For B1 (below degree level), the list gives IELTS for UKVI 4.0 in each skill and PTE Academic UKVI 43 in each skill. Remember, these are only visa minimums. Your university will almost always ask for more.
UK universities set their own entry scores, and they vary by course. Here are published examples.
University of Nottingham. Its English equivalencies page lists three common IELTS levels: 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each element, 6.5 with no less than 6.0, and 7.0 with no less than 6.0. The matching PTE Academic UKVI scores are 65 (minimum 59), 71 (minimum 65) and 76 (minimum 65). It accepts IELTS One Skill Retake and does not accept PTE "best scores" combined from different tests.
University of Brighton. For its standard undergraduate level, Brighton lists IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, or PTE Academic 59 overall with 59 in each component. Its "high" postgraduate level is IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5) or PTE 62 overall (minimum 59). Brighton accepts PTE only as a centre-based test.
As a rough guide, many universities ask for IELTS 6.0 (around 5.5 in each band) for a bachelor's and IELTS 6.5 (around 6.0 in each band) for a master's. Nursing, law, medicine, teaching and some business programmes often ask for more. Our universities in the UK for Nepali students guide covers academic entry after +2 or a bachelor's.
Sometimes. A few universities accept your Grade 12 (NEB) English result instead of a test. For example, the University of South Wales' Nepal page lists Grade 12 English of 65% or more with a medium-of-instruction letter as an alternative to IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5). Some universities also accept other tests, such as LanguageCert, Duolingo or their own online test.
Be careful with "UK without IELTS" offers. A waiver only works for the visa if your university is assessing your English at degree level and states this on your CAS. It also needs to be a real assessment: if UKVI interviews you and you cannot discuss your course and plans clearly, your application can run into trouble. A waiver is never a reason to skip preparing your English.
If your score is just below the requirement, a pre-sessional English course may help. Under Appendix Student, a university with a track record of compliance can issue one CAS covering a pre-sessional course and your main degree, if the pre-sessional lasts no longer than three months and the degree starts within one month after it ends.
If you have only B1 when you apply, that B1 must be shown by a method other than the university's own assessment, usually a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI. The university must also confirm that it expects you to reach B2 by the end of the pre-sessional. Pre-sessional entry scores vary by university, and the extra weeks add cost; our cost of studying in the UK guide explains how to budget.
The Home Office list of approved test centres outside the UK (dated 30 October 2026) shows SELT centres in Nepal in:
Kathmandu: IELTS for UKVI (British Council and IDP), PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert and PSI Skills for English centres
Pokhara: IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI and PSI centres
Chitwan, Biratnagar and Itahari: IELTS for UKVI centres
There are no SELT centres on the list in Beni, Dhangadhi or Janakpur, so students from those areas should plan travel time. Always book through the official provider website. GOV.UK warns that some third parties falsely claim to be Home Office partners, and that your booking name must match your passport.
Sub-scores matter. Most universities and all SELT levels set a minimum for each skill, not just the overall band. A student with IELTS 6.5 overall but 5.0 in writing can still miss entry. Focus your practice on your weakest skill.
Validity. GOV.UK says SELT results are valid for two years from the date the test is awarded, and the test must be awarded within two years before your visa application. Universities usually want a result from the last two years too, so do not test too early.
Retakes. GOV.UK says you may be allowed to resit one failed component in certain cases, depending on the provider's terms. Nottingham, for example, accepts IELTS One Skill Retake. Check with your university before you book a single-skill retake.
A note on HOELT. The Home Office plans its own English test (HOELT) in future, but it was not available when we checked on 10 November 2026. Use the tests on the current GOV.UK approved list and ignore anyone selling "HOELT" bookings.
Both are widely accepted, so choose the test you score best in, but check that your university accepts it in the version you need (Academic or UKVI, centre-based or online).
IELTS has a face-to-face speaking test and is available as IELTS for UKVI in more Nepali cities.
PTE Academic is fully computer-based with automatic scoring, and results are usually quick. Note that PTE scores for the UK are often higher numbers than for Australia, so do not reuse an Australian target score.
Our IELTS vs PTE guide compares the two test formats (written for Australia, so use it for the comparison only). If you are also considering New Zealand, see our IELTS and PTE requirements for New Zealand guide.
Shortlist courses and note the exact test, version (Academic or UKVI), overall score and sub-scores each one wants.
Ask each university whether it will assess your English itself or needs a SELT.
Take a mock test and work on your weakest skill.
Book your real test so the result will still be valid when you apply for your visa.
Check that your CAS shows the correct English assessment before you apply, then follow our UK student visa from Nepal guide.
When your offer is ready, look at scholarships in the UK and student accommodation in the UK.
No single test is compulsory. You must show CEFR B2 for degree-level study (B1 below degree level). Your university can assess this itself for degree-level courses, or you can use a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI.
Commonly IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for a bachelor's and 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for a master's, but it varies by university and course.
It varies. For example, Brighton lists PTE 59 (59 in each component) for standard undergraduate entry, while Nottingham lists PTE Academic UKVI 65 (minimum 59) as its equivalent of IELTS 6.0. Check your course page.
Ask your university. Many degree-level courses accept IELTS Academic because the university assesses your English. Below-degree and pre-sessional courses usually need IELTS for UKVI.
GOV.UK says SELT results are valid for two years. Universities usually want results from the last two years too.
Yes. We offer IELTS and PTE coaching and can help you choose the right test, version and target score for your course. Contact us for current class dates.
Everest Global Education has guided Nepali students since 2016. For the UK, we help you check whether your university needs a SELT, match your score to the right course, plan any pre-sessional option, and make sure your CAS and visa file are consistent. All advice is checked against current GOV.UK guidance and university pages. We counsel from our offices in Nepal and Australia and do not guarantee admission or visa outcomes.
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Pokhara: Pushpa Ratna Bhawan, Siddharthachowk-4, Pokhara 33700
Beni: New Road, Beni Bazar, Myagdi
Dhangadhi: Boradadi Road, Dhangadhi 10900
Janakpur: Girija Path, Murli Chowk, Janakpur
Perth (Australia): 102 James St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Sydney (Australia): Level 1/483 Princes Highway, Rockdale NSW 2216, Australia
Share your course choice, your latest test score (if any) and your target intake, and we will help you plan the right test and timeline.
Submit an enquiry at https://everestglobaledu.com/enquiry and our team will contact you by phone or email.
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