Methodology

How we assess Qualification and Language Service applications

Find out how we assess your qualifications to UK equivalents and assess English language proficiency.

Providing your qualification is eligible, our service can provide:

• Qualification Comparison – compares your overseas qualification to a UK qualification level.
• English Proficiency Assessment – assesses the minimum level of English required to successfully complete your qualification.

These are separate assessments and are based on different methodologies.

Qualification Comparison:

Our approach follows the Lisbon Recognition Convention (opens in a new tab).

When comparing overseas qualifications to UK qualifications, we consider factors including:

• the status of the qualification and awarding institution
• the qualification level needed from your visa entry requirements
• the length of the course
• course structure, content and learning outcomes
• how the course was assessed
• progression routes and rights

We take all these factors into account and no factor is more important than another.

The comparisons we give are not legal documents and should be treated as guidance.

English Proficiency Assessment:

Taught in English

We use a holistic method to assess your qualification, and many factors are considered when evaluating if a course was taught in English or not, including but not limited to, the primary language of teaching, teacher instruction, resources, assessments and formal student communication such as thesis, dissertation defences and practical delivery of course content.

We consider all elements that contribute to the award of a qualification, including optional and elective components where applicable.

English Levels

This assessment checks the level of English needed to complete your qualification. It’s based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The levels covered by the English Proficiency and Qualification Comparison service are:  

• B1 (lower intermediate)  
• B2 (upper intermediate)  
• C1 (advanced)  

We’re assessing degrees taught in English. We assume that you need at least an intermediate level of English skills to complete them. Our service will assess your educational programme, not your individual proficiency.

We assess the minimum English language levels needed to complete your qualification.

An English assessment will not be provided if you:   

• select Qualification Comparison, which does not assess your English proficiency
• studied at an institution in a majority English speaking country (except Canada), as this is not necessary for your visa application