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Education Plus
IELTS gets nod for use in UK immigration system
UK Home Office is implementing a new points-based immigration system for non-EU nationals
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) run by educators in Australia and the UK has been approved for use in the UK immigration system.The IELTS attracted over 9,38,000 candidates in 2007, and entries have almost doubled in the last three years, driven by university entrance requirements, new immigration policies and professional recognition throughout the English-speaking world.
The test has now been granted approval for use in the UK’s new points-based immigration system.
From the end of February 2008, the UK Home Office is implementing a new points-based immigration system for all non-EU nationals.
The new system groups potential immigrants into five “tiers”.
Tier 1
The recent approval of IELTS certificates is for tier 1 -- highly skilled migrants such as doctors, scientists or entrepreneurs, which will replace the existing Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
As part of the application process, applicants are required to provide evidence of their English language abilities.
The government has now approved IELTS at a band score 6.5 and above as suitable to verify that ability. At tier 1, applicants need to demonstrate English language skills equivalent to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The IELTS test is a key element of the British Council’s English language work overseas.
It is already recognised by educational institutions, employers, organisations and government agencies in over 68 countries, and recognition has grown significantly through 2007. Martin Davidson, CEO of the British Council, said, “The British Council now offers IELTS in approximately 400 locations in a 101 different countries.”
Beryl Meiron, Executive Director of IELTS International in the US said, “The feedback we get from universities and government agencies around the world is that IELTS is a particularly good test of how well a person knows English, because it gives a thorough picture of their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, in a way that’s relevant to how the language is actually used for work and study.”
48 times
The tests are available 48 times a year at authorised test centres. British Council administers it in 15 cities across South India. For details visit www.britishcouncil.org/india.
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