Reviewed by the finduni team · Last verified 15 September 2026 · Sources: Pearson: PTE Academic UKVI, GOV.UK: Student visa, knowledge of English, GOV.UK: Secure English Language Tests, Home Affairs: English language requirements
PTE Academic UKVI vs PTE Academic
PTE Academic UKVI has the same content, format and scoring as PTE Academic. The only difference is a Unique Reference Number (URN), which some UK visa applications require.
So there is nothing extra to prepare for. What matters is booking the right version: if your UK application asks for a Secure English Language Test (SELT), a PTE Academic score without the URN may not be accepted for it.
Who needs it for UK study
Pearson lists it for study below degree level, such as foundation and pathway courses, and for courses at institutions that are not Higher Education Institutions. (Pearson)
GOV.UK sets the English level for the Student visa: CEFR B1 for study below degree level, and CEFR B2 for degree level.
| Your UK course | English level (GOV.UK) | What usually proves it |
|---|---|---|
| Below degree level, such as foundation or pathway | CEFR B1 | A SELT, such as PTE Academic UKVI |
| Degree level at a university | CEFR B2 | The university's own assessment, which may or may not use a SELT |
Your university or college tells you what it accepts. Ask before you book, and book PTE Academic UKVI whenever the answer is a SELT.
Degree-level students may not need a SELT
For degree-level study, your university (a Higher Education Provider) can assess your English itself, at a level equivalent to CEFR B2.
In practice many universities accept PTE Academic, some accept other evidence, and some still ask for a SELT. It is each university's choice, so follow what your offer letter or CAS says rather than general advice.
The Duolingo English Test is not a UK-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). Some UK universities accept it for admission to degree-level study, where the university assesses your English itself at CEFR B2. That is each university's decision.
Approved SELT providers
GOV.UK lists these approved SELT providers and tests for people taking the test outside the UK:
| Provider | Approved tests |
|---|---|
| IELTS SELT Consortium | IELTS for UKVI, IELTS Life Skills |
| LANGUAGECERT | LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT, LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT, LANGUAGECERT General SELT |
| Pearson | PTE Academic UKVI, PTE Home |
| PSI Services (UK) Ltd | Skills for English UKVI |
PTE Home appears under Pearson, but it is a different test from PTE Academic UKVI, so check which test your application names before you book.
If you are weighing IELTS for UKVI instead, see IELTS for UKVI in Nepal.
Where you take it
It is taken on a computer at an authorised PTE test centre and cannot be taken at home.
finduni.ai books PTE at authorised centres in several Nepali cities, listed in PTE test centres in Nepal, for example Kathmandu. Tell finduni.ai that you need the UKVI version when you book, so the booking is made for the right test.
Results and validity
Pearson says: "Most test takers get their results within two business days; some take up to five business days."
A score is valid for two years from the test date. Your UK application or university may set its own rule on how recent the score must be, so check it against your application date.
For the rest of the application, from CAS to funds, see the UK student visa guide for Nepali students.
Booking it
Book on the booking page and mention that you need PTE Academic UKVI. The price is in the PTE fee guide, and the rules for changing a date are in PTE rescheduling and cancellation.