Reviewed by Yasir Khan, Founder, LAMTANS Group of Companies, and British Council registered consultant
Which of the English tests for study abroad you take depends on where you apply and whether you need it for a visa or only for university entry. For a UK student visa the Home Office accepts only approved tests such as IELTS for UKVI. This guide compares the main tests, Pakistan fees and what each country asks.
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What English level does the UK student visa need?
The UK needs English at CEFR level B2 for degree-level study and B1 below degree level. You can prove it with an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), a UK qualification, or a degree taught in English that Ecctis confirms. A university with a good compliance record may also assess your English itself, but the level must still be equivalent to B2.
Which tests does the Home Office approve?
The Home Office list of approved providers (updated 5 October 2026) names IELTS for UKVI, LanguageCert SELT, PTE Academic UKVI, PSI Skills for English (outside the UK) and Trinity (inside the UK only). TOEFL and Duolingo do not appear on it. A university may still accept them for admission, so confirm with it before you book.
English tests for study abroad compared
| Test | Score scale | Length | Results | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or UKVI) | Bands 0 to 9 | Computer test | Preview in 3 to 5 days; UKVI 1 to 5 days (British Council Pakistan) | 2 years |
| PTE Academic | 10 to 90 | About 2 hours | Usually 2 business days, up to 5 | 2 years |
TOEFL and Duolingo at a glance
| Test | Score scale | Length | Results | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 1 to 6 in half points | About 2 hours | About 3 days in your ETS account | 2 years |
| Duolingo English Test | 10 to 160 | About 1 hour | 2 days | 2 years |
LanguageCert and how to choose
| Test | Score scale | Length | Results | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LanguageCert Academic SELT | 40 = B1, 60 = B2 per skill | About 2 hours 34 minutes | 5 working days | 2 years (UK visa) |
We could not find an official source saying one test is easier, so we do not rank them. Choose by what your university and visa accept.
IELTS fees in Pakistan
The British Council Pakistan fee schedule effective 9 June 2026 lists IELTS at PKR 76,240 in one location column and PKR 75,600 in the other four. IELTS for UKVI is PKR 72,000 and IELTS Life Skills is PKR 50,000. Card payments attract advance tax of 1% (filers) or 3% (non-filers). The schedule does not make clear which column covers which city. Check the booking page for your city.
IELTS centres in Pakistan
Computer-delivered IELTS centres include Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot. The UKVI city list differs between two British Council pages, so confirm on the live booking page. Paper-based IELTS for UKVI stopped in Pakistan on 1 October 2024, and IELTS is moving to computer-only delivery, with an optional Writing on Paper in selected markets from mid-2026.
IELTS UKVI scores and other fees
For the UK visa, IELTS for UKVI needs 5.5 in each of the four skills at degree level, or 4.0 in each below degree level. We could not confirm PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo or LanguageCert fees for Pakistan.
IELTS vs PTE
Both IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are on the Home Office list. No official source ranks either as easier.
IELTS vs TOEFL
TOEFL is not on the Home Office list, so it cannot prove English for a UK visa. TOEFL iBT now uses a 1 to 6 scale. Check which test each university accepts.
Duolingo English Test accepted universities
Duolingo is not a Home Office approved test. We could not find one official list of universities that accept it, so ask each university before you book.
LanguageCert accepted universities
LanguageCert Academic SELT is on the Home Office list. Confirm that your chosen university accepts the result.
English tests for Canada
Canada does not set a language test for the study permit itself. IRCC says each school sets its own level of English or French. The Student Direct Stream closed on 8 November 2024, so students now use the regular study permit route.
English tests for the USA
The USA has no federal English test for the F-1 visa that we could find. Universities set their own scores. For example, the University of Southern California asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 at master’s level, and TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale from 21 January 2026.
How we help
We check which test your course and visa need before you pay. If you hope to avoid an English test, read our guides on studying in the UK without IELTS and studying abroad without IELTS. See UK student visa requirements, study in the UK, study in Canada, study in the USA, our English coach and our AI study tools too. We cannot promise a visa.
Official sources: UKVI approved tests · Student visa English · British Council IELTS fees · IELTS for UKVI · ETS TOEFL iBT. Figures checked on 11 October 2026. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, British Council registered consultant, LAMTANS Consultants. Last updated 11 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the latest position at your consultation.