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Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)

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English language

This page explains the points we award for English language skills under the minister of religion category (Tier 2 Minister of religion) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

You must have a minimum level of English language and score 10 points in this section, or your application will be refused.

Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245ZB - 245ZH of part 6A, which you can find on the right side of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.

How points are awarded for English language

You must have 10 points for English language.

English is the official language of the United Kingdom, and you must be able to speak English the same as level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference.

There are three ways that you can score points for English language. You can:

  • be a national of a majority English speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test on our list of approved English language tests (PDF 44K opens in new window); or
  • hold a degree that was taught in English and is the same as a United Kingdom bachelor's degree or above.

You can also meet the English language requirement and score points without having to send further evidence if:

  • you have been given permission to stay in the past under the highly skilled worker (Tier 1 General) or the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme after 7 November 2006; or
    • have already given us your evidence that you meet the English language requirement under the minister of religion category of tier 2; or
    • you have been given permission to stay in the past as a minister of religion under the old rules on or after 19 April 2007.

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If you are a national of a majority English speaking country

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you are a national of a majority English language speaking country listed below:

  • Antigua and Barbuda;
  • Australia;
  • The Bahamas;
  • Barbados;
  • Belize;
  • Canada;
  • Dominica;
  • Grenada;
  • Guyana;
  • Jamaica;
  • New Zealand;
  • St Kitts and Nevis;
  • St Lucia;
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines;
  • Trinidad and Tobago;
  • United States of America.

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If you have passed an English language test

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you pass a test on our list of approved English language tests (PDF 44K opens in new window). Only test certificates from providers on this list will be accepted.

If you have disabilities (for example, hearing difficulties) you are not exempt from the English language requirement. You should contact a test provider for details of support you can receive while sitting the test.

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If you are waiting to take an English language test or waiting for your test result

If you applying to extend your stay under tier 2, you may need to send your application before you have taken, or received the results of a test.

If you have met all other requirements to get permission to stay under tier 2, you have 10 working days from the date of your application to tell us when you will sit your test.

You must send a letter telling us when you will sit your test to:

UK Border Agency
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA

Once you have sat your test, you must send your certificate within 5 working days using the same address.

If you give confirmation from the test provider that you have taken a test or have a confirmed date to take the test we will continue to hold the application open. We will finish assessing your application when you then send an English language test certificate.

If you do not pass the test on the first attempt, the application will not be held open to allow you to try again. You will not meet the English language requirement and your application will be refused.

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If you have a degree taught in English

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you have a degree which is the same as a United Kingdom bachelor's level or above and which was taught or researched in English to a particular level. This is seen as proof of your English language ability.

The qualification must:

  • be recognised by National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) as equivalent to at least a United Kingdom bachelor's degree; and
  • have been taught in English.

We assume that a degree was taken in a majority English speaking country listed below will have been taught in English:

  • Antigua and Barbuda;
  • Australia;
  • The Bahamas;
  • Barbados;
  • Belize;
  • Dominica;
  • Grenada;
  • Guyana;
  • Ireland;
  • Jamaica;
  • New Zealand;
  • St Kitts and Nevis;
  • St Lucia;
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines;
  • Trinidad and Tobago;
  • the United Kingdom;
  • the United States of America.

Canada is not on this list.

If the degree was taken in another country, we assess your qualification using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page. The calculator contains information on whether overseas qualifications are the same as a United Kingdom bachelor's level or higher provided by UK NARIC.

You can claim points if the points-based calculator confirms that:

  • your degree is the same level as a United Kingdom bachelor's degree; and
  • the degree was taught to a competent standard of English equivalent to level C1 on the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR); or
  • you include a letter with your application from your university confirming your degree was taught in English.

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Checking qualifications

You should check your qualification by using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page.

If you cannot find your qualification on the points-based calculator, we will refuse your application.

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See also

Do it online

Terms explained

  • Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

    A series of descriptions of abilities, accepted worldwide, that sets clear targets for achievement in learning a language.

  • UK NARIC

    UK National Agency (UK NARIC) is responsible for providing information and opinion on vocational, academic and professional qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide.  The National Agency is managed on behalf of the United Kingdom Government and is the only official source of information on wide-ranging international qualifications and skills attained from outside the United Kingdom.  They compare qualifications from overseas with the United Kingdom and provide information on qualifications and education systems outside the United Kingdom.

     

All glossary terms

Policy & Law

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