Master prompt
English language requirement — Indian applicants under Appendix English Language
Maps English options for Indian applicants (SELT vs degree-taught-in-English vs sponsor-internal-assessment) under Appendix English Language.
UKEnglish languageAppendix English LanguageSELTIELTS UKVIIndia-specific
India is NOT on the UK's "majority English-speaking country" list under Appendix English Language. Indian applicants must positively demonstrate English at the level required by the course.
For [CLIENT_NAME] applying for [PROGRAM_LEVEL] requiring CEFR [CEFR_REQUIRED]:
§1 — APPENDIX ENGLISH LANGUAGE FRAMEWORK (100-120 words)
Three routes to satisfy English under Appendix English Language:
Route A — Nationality (India NOT eligible):
The majority English-speaking country list includes Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, NZ, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA. India is NOT included.
Route B — Approved Secure English Language Test (SELT):
A SELT from a UKVI-approved provider, taken at a UKVI-approved test centre, within 2 years of application.
Route C — Academic Qualification:
A degree taught + assessed in English from a recognised institution. May require UK NARIC / ENIC equivalency confirmation.
For PGT (Postgraduate Taught) applicants: sponsor's own internal assessment is often acceptable at the sponsor's discretion (the sponsor confirms on the CAS).
§2 — SELT OPTIONS FOR INDIA (120-150 words)
UKVI-approved SELT providers + tests usable in India:
▪ IELTS for UKVI Academic (PRIMARY recommendation for most Indian applicants)
- Available at British Council + IDP centres in India
- "for UKVI" version is different from standard IELTS Academic; book the UKVI version
- 4 skills tested; CEFR level mapped to band score
- Fee approximately INR 17,000 [VERIFY current rate]
▪ PTE Academic UKVI [VERIFY current acceptance status as of 2026]
- Pearson — was approved for UKVI; status has shifted; verify before booking
▪ Trinity College ISE (Integrated Skills in English)
- Less common in India but accepted
- Centres: limited Indian cities
▪ LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
- Accepted; centres in India
For [CEFR_REQUIRED] = B2: IELTS UKVI Academic 5.5 each skill / overall 5.5
For [CEFR_REQUIRED] = C1: IELTS UKVI Academic 6.5 each skill / overall 6.5
For [CEFR_REQUIRED] = B1 (Pre-sessional): IELTS UKVI Academic 4.0 each skill / overall 4.0
§3 — DEGREE-TAUGHT-IN-ENGLISH ROUTE (120-150 words)
If [PRIOR_DEGREE] indicates an English-taught degree from an Indian institution:
Eligibility:
▪ Degree must be at UK Bachelor's level or higher (CBSE/ICSE Class XII alone NOT sufficient for this route)
▪ Degree must be confirmed as taught + assessed in English (most Indian Bachelor's degrees from accredited universities meet this)
▪ UK NARIC / ENIC (now ENIC-UK) equivalency confirmation may be required — typically the sponsor obtains this
For Indian BTech / B.Sc / B.A. / B.Com / MBA degrees:
▪ Most major Indian universities (IITs, IIMs, Delhi University, Mumbai University, IIIT, NIT, BITS, VIT) are recognised by ENIC-UK as English-medium
▪ Some State universities require additional confirmation
▪ Sponsor relies on the university's official degree certificate + transcript stating language of instruction
If sponsor accepts the prior degree as English evidence, the CAS will state: "English language evidence accepted: degree taught in English."
§4 — SPONSOR INTERNAL ASSESSMENT (60-80 words)
For PG applicants: many UK universities run their own internal English assessment, particularly for international students. The sponsor's admissions team:
▪ Reviews the applicant's prior English qualifications
▪ May administer a short written assessment / interview
▪ Records "Sponsor internal assessment: [B2/C1]" on the CAS
This is permitted under Appendix English Language (sponsor's discretion). UKVI accepts.
§5 — RECOMMENDED PATH FOR THIS APPLICANT (80-100 words)
Based on [CURRENT_ENGLISH_EVIDENCE] and [PRIOR_DEGREE]:
If [CURRENT_ENGLISH_EVIDENCE] = "IELTS Academic 7.0 (not UKVI)":
→ BOOK IELTS UKVI Academic immediately; standard IELTS is NOT accepted for UKVI purposes; standard IELTS is for university admission only.
If [PRIOR_DEGREE] = "BTech CS, English-medium, recognised Indian university":
→ Pursue degree-taught-in-English route. Confirm with sponsor that they will record this on the CAS. If sponsor needs ENIC-UK letter, request via the institution.
If [CEFR_REQUIRED] = B1 (Pre-sessional):
→ IELTS UKVI Academic 4.0 each skill / overall 4.0; very achievable for most Indian applicants
If [CURRENT_ENGLISH_EVIDENCE] = "Class XII English 95%":
→ Class XII alone is NOT sufficient for UKVI; book a SELT.
§6 — VALIDITY + TIMING (60-80 words)
▪ SELT certificate valid 2 years from test date
▪ Test date must be within 2 years of UKVI application date
▪ Book test 8-12 weeks before intended visa application (allows retake if score short)
▪ Test centres in India: 30+ across major metros (British Council + IDP)
▪ IELTS UKVI booking via ielts.org/ukvi; PTE UKVI via pearsonpte.com
§7 — COMMON INDIAN PITFALLS (60-80 words)
▪ Booking standard IELTS instead of IELTS UKVI Academic — fatal; UKVI rejects
▪ Taking test at a non-UKVI-approved centre — fatal
▪ Relying on prior Class XII English score (not sufficient for degree-level study)
▪ Relying on a 3-year-old test that has now expired
▪ Spelling of name on test certificate differing from passport
▪ Pre-sessional applicants taking the wrong-level test (must match sponsor's required level)
End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Confirm SELT provider acceptance + course-required CEFR with sponsor BEFORE booking the test. Sponsor's recorded English evidence on the CAS is what UKVI checks — applicant must match exactly."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt