Exams Required to Study in UK for International Students
Generally, the standard test necessary for your application is determined by factors such as your selected course, degree of study, and nationality. For example, if you want to study mathematics, the GMAT or GRE may be required, however, in another academic field, such as literature, this examination is almost certainly not required. Additionally, if you are from a nation where English is the official language, you will not be needed to complete a standardised English knowledge test.
Understanding what examinations you must pass is critical because they are naturally required regardless of the university.
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System
- TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
- GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Test
- GRE: Graduate Record Examinations
Table of Contents
- What Exams Are Required To Study in UK for International Students
- Exams to Study in UK: Srilankan Student Application Fees
- English Proficiency Exams to Study in UK
- How to Study in UK without IELTS or TOEFL?
- Exams to Study for Bachelor's Degree
- Exams to Study Mathematics Courses
- Exams Required to Study Medical courses
- Exams Required to Study Law Courses
- Exams Required to Study Master's Degree
- Exams Required to Study for Doctorate degree
What Exams Are Required To Study in UK for International Students
- Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)
- Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)
- Test of Mathematics for University Admissions
- BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT Exam)
- Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT Exam)
- Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT Ulster)
- UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)
- LNAT Exam (National Admissions Test for Law)
- Cambridge Law Test
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
- TOEFL – Test Of English as a Foreign Language
- IELTS – International English Language Testing System
- PTE – Pearson Test English
- UCLES – University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
Exams to Study in UK: Sri Lankan Student Application Fees
Business Graduate Program |
GMAT- Graduate Management Admission Test |
LKR 98709 |
18 years or above |
5 years |
Law |
LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) |
LKR 51429 |
General Certificate of Secondary Education or equivalent exam |
1-year |
Medical |
UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test, formerly known as |
2022 test fees haven’t been confirmed yet. |
Students are willing to enrol in a medical or dental degree program. |
1-year |
Medical |
BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) |
LKR 45226 |
Minimum 15 years of schooling |
1-year |
Graduation/Management/Engineering |
GRE- Graduate Record Examinations |
LKR 76454 |
Those who wish to study MS courses, engineering or Management. |
5 years |
Medical |
GAMSAT-Graduate Medical School Admissions Test |
LKR 114858 |
must hold a non-scientific first degree. |
2 years |
Mathematics |
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) |
LKR 76454 |
only candidates contacted directly by the University will be eligible to register. 2. Candidates who have passed the 12th examination and seek admission in undergraduate mathematics specialisation. |
NA |
English Proficiency Exams to Study in UK
Given that the United Kingdom is the birthplace of the English language, it's only natural that the bulk of courses offered here is in English. Not only is English competence required for most universities, but obtaining a UK Student visa also necessitates confirmation of language skills. Universities want to see if you have a functional understanding of the language that will allow you to complete your courses efficiently.
The degree of English ability required will vary depending on your level of study and course. Before applying, verify the English language requirements of your desired programmes and universities! Examine which English proficiency tests are accepted by the school. The British Council's IELTS test is a popular indication of English language proficiency. TOEFL and PTE Academic are two more popular choices. These tests assess your abilities to read, write, communicate, and listen effectively in English.
Depending on your qualifications and place of citizenship, your school may not demand proof of language proficiency in some situations. Several schools, for example, may accept your qualifying grade for Cambridge IGCSE First Language English or IGCSE English as a Second Language as proof of your language skills.
As an international student, you will very certainly be required to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that has been approved by the Home Office.
These requirements apply even if you have met your university's English language requirements.
Name of the exam |
Fees |
Eligibility |
Validity |
TOEFL– Test of English as a Foreign Language |
LKR 42,088.95 |
No minimum or maximum age limit. No restrictions on educational qualifications. |
2 years |
IELTS– International English Language Testing |
LKR 50,000 |
Minimum age of 16 years |
2 years |
PTE- Pearson Test English |
LKR 35000 |
Students appearing for the exam must be 16-year-old. Parental consent must be provided |
2 years |
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) |
LKR 59225 |
overall score of 185 or above, with writing 185 and no other sub-section below 169, or Grade C |
For Life |
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) |
LKR 69993 |
overall score of 185 or above, with writing 185 and no other sub-section below 169, or Grade B |
For Life |
How to Study in UK without IELTS or TOEFL?
Yes, you can study in the UK without IELTS if you apply to universities that provide alternative prerequisites such as proof of above 60% in English in Class XI and XII, an undergraduate degree in English, or a pre-sessional language course open to international students.
- The University of Essex
- the University of Central Lancashire
- The University of Greenwich
- Swansea University
- University of Northampton
- University of Plymouth
- Portsmouth University
- Northumbria University
- Robert Gordon University
- University of Bolton
- London South Bank University
- University of Geneva
- Riga Technical University
- Audencia Nantes School of Management
- University of Bristol
- Birmingham City University
- University of Basel
- University of Warwick
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Aston University
- Bangor University
- Brunel University
Some colleges may ask you to participate in an online interview to test your English abilities.
English grades from high school: If you received more than 70% in English in high school, certain universities would examine your high school grades rather than IELTS. If English is your major then you wouldn't require IELTS.
Pre-sessional English Course: As previously stated, certain universities offer pre-sessional English courses for students who wish to study in the UK without taking IELTS and can thus enrol in these courses once approved for their desired degree or diploma programme.
Exams to Study for Bachelor's Degree
Courses |
Exams |
Medicine |
BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) |
Law |
LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) |
Mathematics |
MAT (Mathematics Admission Test) |
Classic Course |
CAT (Classic’s admission Test |
English/Literature |
ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) |
Modern Language |
MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test) |
Engineering, materials science or physics course |
PAT(Physics Admissions Test) |
Mathematics/STEM |
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) |
Law |
Cambridge Law Test |
Regardless of the course, you may have to take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Cambridge as well as a subject-specific test.
Exams to Study Mathematics Courses
Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) - The MAT is a standardised mathematics test that is jointly administered by two of the most prestigious British institutions, Oxford and Cambridge. It is a paper-based exam designed to assess an applicant's knowledge of a specific mathematical subject. Everyone who wishes to pursue an undergraduate degree in Mathematics or Computer Science must take this exam.
Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) - The STEP test is currently being developed and used at the Universities of Cambridge and Warwick. A STEP test taker must demonstrate a thorough understanding of common collegiate mathematics courses.
Mathematics Test for University Admissions - This test is designed to assess your mathematical reasoning abilities. You must take this test if you want to study at the University of Durham, Lancaster University, the University of Warwick, the University of Sheffield, or the University of Southampton.
Exams Required to Study Medical Courses
BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) - Any applicant seeking a course in Medicine, Biomedical Science, or Dentistry must take the BMAT.
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) -Some medical schools in the United Kingdom employ the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test, which was established in Australia (as well as around the world). It is utilised in the admissions process for both undergraduate and graduate programmes.
It is divided into three sections: humanities reasoning, written communication reasoning, and biological and physical sciences reasoning. The Gamsat is administered twice a year, in March (registration begins in early November and ends in early February) and September (registration from mid-May to late July). It consists of 4.45 hours of testing time. The GAMSAT is priced at £268.
Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT Ulster) - The HPAT is meant for students interested in studying for a Health Profession.
UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) - Students wishing to enrol in medical or dentistry degree programmes in the United Kingdom must take the UCAT test. The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a university admissions exam utilised by a number of universities' medical and dental schools to differentiate you from other applicants to highly competitive programmes. It assesses verbal, quantitative, and abstract reasoning, as well as decision analysis and situational judgement - all of which are natural talents that students should have for the courses.
Exams Required to Study Law Courses
Cambridge Law Test - This is a paper-based exam in which you read an essay and then answer questions based on what you read. The test does not require prior knowledge of the law and instead assesses your critical thinking abilities.
LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) - The LNAT test determines whether a candidate applying for a seat at a university possesses the requisite skills, which include verbal reasoning, information interpretation, analysing, and reaching conclusions about an issue. This exam, like the CLT, does not require a prior understanding of the law. The Law National Aptitude Test is a university admissions test used by various universities to determine your aptitude for the abilities required to study law. The exam consists of 42 multiple-choice questions and an essay on a related topic.
Exams Required to Study Master's Degree
i. Graduate Management Admission Test
If you're applying for a graduate business degree in the UK, you'll almost certainly require a GMAT qualifying score. Along with your academic credentials and job experience, the results of this exam may play a significant role in determining your eligibility.
This computer adaptive test (CAT) lasts more than three hours and assesses four areas: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing assessment.
ii. General Test for Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
When applying for business degrees such as an MBA, you would take the GMAT. In contrast, the GRE General Test can qualify you for a broader choice of graduate schools.GRE test results, as one of the most competitive exams in the UK for graduate-entry admissions, may strengthen your application even if your institution does not require them. Applicants pursuing master's and doctorate degrees may all take the GRE. The test assesses three areas:
- Analytical Writing
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning.
Exams Required to Study for Doctorate Degree
- Bachelor's degree (first or upper second class) (or its international equivalent).
- A relevant master's degree with Merit and a minimum grade point average of 60% in both the taught course units and your dissertation (or the international equivalent of 60 per cent).
- Proficiency in English
Do you have Further queries on what exams you should prepare for? AECC has got your back. They will assist you in finding the right exam and help you prepare for the exams in the best way.