UK Visas and Immigration Announces Major Overhaul in English Testing with Global Reach
2 Min Read
The government is gearing towards a new concession model, distinct from the current multiple Home Office-approved suppliers’ concession model, and moving towards ownership of a single test, designed by a single supplier, under the Home Office.
The government, through UK Visas and Immigration, has unveiled plans to engage with the market to assess, among other things, the “products, services, and innovations that are available to the public.” This means suppliers should register their interest.
The service, with a contract value estimated at around £1.13 billion, will be allocated to developing and maintaining a Home Office-branded test for use worldwide for all HOELTs and organising tests globally.
This includes an online portal where customers can book tests and receive results, physical testing centres, proctors, and ID authentication solutions.
The Home Office confirmed that it will “also cover testing the viability of potential procurement approaches and the market’s ability/capacity to deliver.”
Pearson, IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, and Trinity College London currently offer Home Office-approved SELTs in the United Kingdom.
Elsewhere, these tests are administered by Pearson, IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, and PSI Services Ltd—Skills for English (UKVI), which was acquired by IELTS major player ETS in January 2024.
The number of tests conducted by Pearson last year increased by 49%, mainly due to the Canadian government’s recognition of the test. This led to a 31% increase in profit for Pearson for the financial year 2022.
Some immigration categories, such as student visas, necessitate passing tests to prove English proficiency.
Thus, the new HOELT will assess the applicant’s ability to speak, listen, read, and write English, depending on the chosen route.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
Top Stories
New UK Legislation to Implement Worker Protection Act Takes Effect
October 28, 2024 | By Aahana
ICOS Launches Election Manifesto to Improve International Student Rights in Ireland
October 26, 2024 | By Kai
University of Southampton to Launch First UK Branch Campus in India
October 25, 2024 | By VaidantMore Articles
Technological University of the Shannon Strengthens Academic Ties with India
The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Ireland recently visited India to strengthen…
By Vaidant
University of Tasmania Opens Admissions for Master of Marine and Antarctic Science
The University of Tasmania (UTAS), Australia is now accepting applications for its Master of Marine and Antarctic…
By Neerav
University of Cambridge Launches Fully-Funded PhD Programmes for 2025-26
The University of Cambridge, in collaboration with Trinity College, has unveiled a new initiative offering fully-funded…
By Kai
University of Ottawa Offers International English Scholarships for 2024
The University of Ottawa is offering International English Scholarships for students from India, Africa, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and…
By Ezra
University of Queensland Partners with Molecule to Medicine to Boost Drug Discovery
The University of Queensland (UQ) has established a new partnership with global biotech firm Molecule to Medicine (MTM) to…
By Kai
Canada Ends Fast-Track Student Visa Programme for India Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Canada has announced the end of its fast-track Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme for 14 countries, including India, as of…
By Advay
Harvard University Features Bihar’s Social Entrepreneur Sharad Vivek Sagar in Prestigious Leadership Course
Harvard University has included the journey of Bihar-based social entrepreneur Sharad Vivek Sagar in its renowned…
By Henry
Brown University Launches Online Master’s Degree in Data Science
Brown University, US has unveiled a new online Master’s degree programme in Data Science, set to begin in September…
By Ezra
Growing Interest in Overseas Agriculture Studies Among Indian Students
Indian students are increasingly choosing to study agriculture abroad, driven by the global demand for sustainable farming…
By Jace
India Ranks Among Top Contributors to Germany’s International Student Community
India continues to lead as a top source country for Germany’s international academic community, with nearly 49,000 Indian students and…
By Aahana
Australia’s New MATES Visa Scheme to Benefit Indian Graduates and Young Professionals
Australia has introduced the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), a visa programme aimed at enhancing opportunities for…
By Daniel
University of Western Australia Offers AUD 48,000 Global Excellence Scholarship for International Students
The University of Western Australia (UWA) has launched the Global Excellence Scholarship, inviting high-achieving international students to…
By Henry
Australia Unveils New Details on Enrolment Caps Amid Sector Concerns
Australia’s Senate Estimates have shed light on the distribution of enrolment caps under the proposed ESOS Amendment Bill, stirring further…
By Neerav
Germany Reaches Record with Nearly 380,000 International Students
Germany has hit a record high in international student enrolment, with nearly 380,000 students from around the world studying at German universities during…
By Vaidant
Thailand Welcomes Highgate’s First International School
Highgate School, a prestigious UK-based co-educational institution, is scheduled to open its first international school in Thailand in August 2026 through a…
By Daniel
UNSW Sydney Sets International Admissions Waitlist Ahead of Government Cap
UNSW Sydney has introduced an international admissions waitlist and merit-based offer rounds for 2025, anticipating the Australian government’s cap…
By Advay
UK Government Raises University Tuition Fees by £285 Amid Financial Pressures
In a significant move, the UK government has announced an inflation-linked increase in university tuition fees, raising them by £285 for…
By Kai
University at Buffalo Expands Facilities to Meet Global Demand for AI and Engineering
The University at Buffalo (UB) in the United States is rapidly expanding its high-tech facilities to cater to the increasing demand from…
By Jace
India Set to Rival China in Outbound Student Mobility by 2030, Report Predicts
India and China are projected to lead in global outbound student mobility until 2030, with India potentially closing the gap, according to a report…
By Henry
Australia’s Monash University and Apollo Hospitals Partner for Digital Health Research
Monash University in Australia has signed an agreement with India’s Apollo Hospitals to collaborate on digital health research, aiming to…
By Kai
Cambridge Education Group and Wittenborg University Launch New Pathway Programme
Cambridge Education Group has announced a new partnership with Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, launching the…
By Ezra
Ontario Colleges Hit Hard by Study Permit Caps, Leading to Job and Programme Cuts
Ontario’s colleges are feeling the financial strain of the federal government’s new study permit caps, leading to widespread job cuts and programme reductions…
By Henry
TUS Celebrates 62% Increase in PhD and Masters by Research Graduates
The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Ireland has reported a remarkable 62% increase in the number of PhD and…
By Daniel
Applications Open for Denmark’s Prestigious BRIDGE Translational Excellence Programme
The University of Copenhagen in Denmark is now accepting applications for the esteemed BRIDGE Translational Excellence Programme, a two-year…
By Vaidant
Canada Tightens Post-Study Visa Rules with New Language and Field Requirements
Canada has introduced new requirements for the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) programme, effective from November 1. These updates focus on…
By Advay
Netherlands to Cut International Student Budget by €300 Million
Dutch universities are raising alarms over the government’s proposed €293 million budget cut for international students, warning that it could…
By Neerav
Vietnam Sees 74% Surge in SAT Test-Takers as Interest in Studying Abroad Grows
Vietnam has seen a remarkable 74% increase in SAT test-takers over the past year, with over 3,500 Vietnamese students taking the exam in 2023…
By Jace
IRCC Guarantees Smooth Application Processing for Indian Students Amid Diplomatic Tensions with Canada
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reassured Indian students that their applications will continue to be processed…
By Kai
80% of Self-Funded Vietnamese Students Abroad Choose Not to Return, Raising Talent Loss Concerns
A recent report from Vietnam’s Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals that 80% of self-financed Vietnamese students studying abroad…
By Neerav
Rowan University Expands Study Abroad Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
Rowan University’s Education Abroad Office is taking significant steps to ensure that studying abroad is accessible to all students, including…
By Advay
University of Sheffield Launches £10,000 Merit Scholarships for International Postgraduates
The University of Sheffield in the UK is set to award 75 International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarships worth £10,000 each…
By Ezra
Australia and the US Overtake Canada as Top Study Destinations Amid Shifting Student Preferences
Australia and the United States have surpassed Canada as the top choices for international students seeking…
By Henry
France Aims to Host 10,000 Indian Students This Year as Part of Ambitious Plan for 2030
France is on track to meet its ambitious target of welcoming 10,000 Indian students this academic year, as part of its broader goal to host 30,000 by…
By Advay
New UK Legislation to Implement Worker Protection Act Takes Effect
The updated Worker Protection Act came into force recently on October 26, marking a significant shift for UK employers, who now…
By Aahana
ICOS Launches Election Manifesto to Improve International Student Rights in Ireland
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has launched its General Election Manifesto 2024, advocating for better rights and improved experiences…
By Kai
UK Universities See Regional Declines in Enrolments for 2024 Autumn Intake
New data on Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for the autumn 2024 intake shows that enrolments at UK universities have dropped, but there are signs…
By Neerav
Canada Announces Significant Reduction in Immigration Targets for 2025-27
The Canadian government has revealed a substantial reduction in its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-27, cutting permanent resident…
By Daniel
Australian Education Minister Welcomes Indian Counterpart Amid Growing Collaboration
Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has arrived in Australia for the second Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC) meeting…
By Advay
University of Southampton to Launch First UK Branch Campus in India
The University of Southampton is set to establish a branch campus in India, becoming the first UK university to be granted government permission. In collaboration…
By Vaidant
66% of International Students Rethink Study Destinations Amid Changing Policies
New research from IDP Education reveals that international students are increasingly flexible about their study preferences due to evolving…
By Henry
USTC Launches Study Abroad Scholarship for Undergraduate Courses
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has opened the application process for its prestigious USTC Fellowship…
By Kai
New Financial Requirements for International Students in the UK
Starting on 2 January 2025, the United Kingdom will enforce new financial requirements for international students, significantly…
By Ezra
New Tax Credit Rules in India Benefit Parents Funding Children’s Studies Abroad
Parents who send their children abroad for education from India can now claim credit for the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on…
By Vaidant
USTC Scholarship for 2025 Offers Full Funding for International Students
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has announced the availability of its prestigious…
By Jace
Beijing Institute of Technology Offers Scholarships for International Students
The Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) in China warmly invites international students for the 2025 academic year, offering…
By Neerav
University of Essex Launches Integrated Masters in Nursing for Dual Qualification
The University of Essex, UK, has unveiled its new Integrated Masters in Science (MSc) in Nursing, offering students a Dual…
By Henry
Sciences Po Offers Prestigious Émile Boutmy Scholarship for International Students
Sciences Po, one of France’s leading universities, is inviting top international students from outside the European Union to apply…
By Advay
University of East Anglia Offers Scholarships for Indian Students
The University of East Anglia (UEA), UK, is offering a range of scholarship opportunities for Indian students for the…
By Kai
LCI Barcelona Inaugurates New Campus in 22@ Innovation District
LCI Barcelona, Spain, part of the LCI Education global network, has officially opened its state-of-the-art campus…
By Aahana
Australia Moves Forward with ESOS Amendment Bill, Cap on International Students Considered
In Australia, the Senate Committee has reviewed the perspectives of the education sector and has recommended the…
By Daniel
ETS India Launches UK-India TOEFL Scholarship for Students
The Education Testing Service (ETS) India, in collaboration with the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU), has…
By Ezra
University of Tasmania Introduces New Scholarship for International Students
The University of Tasmania, Australia, has announced the launch of the Tasmanian International Scholarship, offering a 25% reduction…
By Ezra
Canada Announces New Eligibility Criteria for Post-Graduate Work Permits
In recent weeks, the Canadian government unveiled significant changes to the eligibility criteria for Post-Graduate Work…
By Kai
US Expands Visa Appointments in India to Meet Record Demand
In response to soaring demand, the US embassy in India has announced an additional 250,000 visa appointments and opened a…
By Neerav
Concerns Grow Over Japan’s Declining Overseas Travel and Its Impact on Future Competitiveness
A recent report by the British Council highlights Japan’s “lacklustre” growth in outbound travel, emphasising that it may have…
By Kai
University of Sheffield Launches Applications for Aerospace Engineering MEng Course, Starting September 2025
The University of Sheffield, UK, has announced the opening of applications for its Aerospace Engineering MEng course, starting in…
By Vaidant
US Policy Change Restricts Study Abroad Opportunities for International Students
A recent policy change by the US immigration agency has imposed new restrictions on international students holding F-1 visas, limiting…
By Aahana
University of Tokyo Partners with Acumen to Attract More South Asian Students
The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) in Japan has announced a partnership with Acumen, a Sannam S4 Group entity, to increase the number of…
By Jace
India Announces $500,000 Scholarship Programme for Indo-Pacific Students at Quad Summit
In a significant move to strengthen educational ties within the Indo-Pacific region, India has announced a $500,000…
By Vaidant
Universities UK Calls for Tuition Fee Hike to Match Inflation
Universities UK (UUK) has proposed a significant reform plan, urging the UK government to increase tuition fees in…
By Jace
Universität Hamburg Opens Applications for Merit Scholarship Programme
Universität Hamburg in Germany is now accepting applications for its prestigious Merit Scholarship Programme, designed to…
By Siya
University of Wollongong to Launch its India Campus in November
The University of Wollongong (UOW), a renowned institution from New South Wales, Australia, is set to inaugurate its…
By Kai
University of Strathclyde Unveils Scholarships for January 2025 Intake
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, is offering a range of scholarships for new international…
By Advay
Sixth Rhodes Scholarship for Indian Students Announced by Rhodes Trust and Radhakrishnan-Rajan Family
The Rhodes Trust, in partnership with the Radhakrishnan-Rajan family, has introduced a sixth Rhodes…
By Aahana
University of Essex Opens Applications for January 2025 Master’s Programmes
The University of Essex, England is now accepting applications for its master’s degree programmes in various fields, including…
By Neerav
British Boarding Schools Face Potential 28% Decline in International Students Amid New VAT Policy
International student enrollment in British boarding schools could drop by up to 28% in September 2025, due to a…
By Daniel
UK Universities Expand Recruitment Efforts to Francophone Africa
UK universities are intensifying recruitment efforts in French-speaking African countries to diversify their…
By Aahana
University of Melbourne Opens Its First Global Centre in India!
Last week, the University of Melbourne inaugurated its first global centre in Delhi, marking a significant step towards…
By Jace
Study MBA in Fashion Business & Entrepreneurship at Ravensbourne University!
Ravensbourne University London is currently accepting applications for its one-year MBA in Fashion Business &…
By Vaidant
Five Foreign Institutions Approved to Establish Branch Campuses in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian government has granted licenses to five foreign universities, both public and private, to…
By Ezra
University of Strathclyde Opens Applications for Engineering Scholarships
The University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, is now accepting applications for the Faculty of Engineering…
By Aahana
Oxford University Press and Learnlight Team Up to Transform English Language Education
Learnlight and Oxford University Press have partnered to offer an English language training programme designed to help…
By Kai
Canada Strengthens Restrictions on International Student Admissions
Canada is implementing additional restrictions on the number of international study permits it issues, reducing…
By Neerav
ACU Pauses 2025 Recruitment Amid Aussie Enrolment Caps
Even though the future of the federal government’s proposed cap remains uncertain, one Australian university has…
By Siya
US Ambassador Advocates for Increased Educational Exchange in India for American Students
As diplomatic relations between India and the USA grow increasingly cordial, the US Ambassador to India…
By Advay
British Council Collaborates with Karnataka Government on Workforce Development
The Karnataka government, in collaboration with the British Council, has launched four new skilling initiatives under a…
By Neerav
Japan Launches Its First Overseas University Campus in Malaysia
“This campus is the first to award Japanese academic degrees overseas, marking a groundbreaking…
By Vaidant
US Honours Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders
The US Department of State has listed 19 HBCUs as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for the Fulbright…
By Daniel
Washington University and IIT Bombay Launch Tenth Executive MBA Programme
Washington University, USA, and IIT Bombay are set to kick off their tenth Executive MBA programme in January 2025, with the launch…
By Ezra
China-Africa Forum Showcases Groundbreaking Initiatives in Higher Education
China has pledged to enhance its support for fostering partnerships between Chinese and African universities, as well as…
By Siya
US Experiences Significant Increase in International Student Applications
According to a Global USS survey released in August 2024, international applications to US institutions continued to rise in…
By Advay
Canada’s Housing Crisis Persists Despite Cap on Study Permits
International students are being exploited and remain in cramped conditions, despite the quota imposed and ongoing…
By Kai
ICEF and NAFSA Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen US International Education
ICEF and NAFSA have formed a partnership to increase the number of international students in the United States by
By Jace
Iraqi Kurdistan Welcomes Its First-Ever International University
The university, located in Sulaymaniyah, the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan, operates…
By Aahana
Korea Announces 2025 Global Korea Scholarship for Indian Students
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi has announced the 2025 Global Korea Scholarship for…
By Siya
Surge in US Visas for Indian Students Hits New High in 2024
Record numbers of visas will be issued to Indians travelling to the US for studies, as the country remains the top study…
By Advay
International Students to Face Increased Financial Proof Requirements in the UK from September
According to the Home Office, the government policy requires international students…
By Vaidant
OFS Probes Sub-Contracting Partners in UK Higher Education
A report suggests that a new analysis of the increasing use of sub-contractual partnerships between UK higher…
By Neerav
Indian Student Enrollment in Germany Hits Record High, Up 15% This Year
Germany remains one of India’s favourite destinations for students, and the number of Indian students…
By Kai
Shift in Indian Students’ Course Choices, with Public Health and Nursing on the Rise
Over 1.3 million Indian students will be studying abroad in 2024, making them one of…
By Aahana
New Funding Initiative from Imperial College London for India Connect Fund
Imperial College London has announced increased funding for collaborative scientific research…
By Jace
IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi Campus Launches with a Batch of 52 Students
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus was officially inaugurated by…
By Siya
Apply for Visiting Fellowships 2025 at the British Academy for Humanities and Social Sciences
The British Academy’s Visiting Fellowships scheme offers invited scholars, affiliated with a…
By Ezra
University of Southampton to Launch India Campus, Offering 30 Courses by 2033
The University of Southampton, UK, is set to open its first offshore campus in India by August 2025, becoming the first…
By Vaidant
Sheffield University Reveals New Pharmacy Degree, Open to Indian Applicants
The University of Sheffield, UK has announced a new four-year Master of Pharmacy degree programme, set to…
By Siya
Denmark’s Strategy to Boost Study Exchanges with Africa Amid Decline in International Students
The strategy aims to increase study exchange programmes, driven by the desire ‘to see more…
By Neerav
UK Visa Approvals for Nepalese Students Surge by 65%
The UK granted over 432,000 sponsored student visas to international students as main applicants…
By Daniel
USCIS Revises OPT Guidelines: Key Updates on Online Study and School Transfers
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised its Policy Manual…
By Vaidant
Work Permit Policy Change: Foreign Visitors in Canada Face New Requirements
Foreign visitors who arrive in Canada on a visitor visa can no longer apply for…
By Aahana
First UK University to Set up Campus in India
Southampton University has become the first university in the United Kingdom to open…
By Neerav