Check your current English level
You can take a free English test to determine your current English level and how it compares to the score you'll need for your course.
Discover what the exam will looks like
Even if you've already got a high level of English, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with how the questions will be asked in the exam.
Remember, different test providers will assess your English in different ways. Whether you're taking the test from PTE, IELTS, TOEFL, or another provider, you can find details of the test format on their website.
Prepare for the exam
Prepare as you would for any exam -- check online resources, do your research, and make notes. The resources you use will depend on which test you’ve decided to do.
How to improve your English level
Academic English is different to conversational English, so even if you think you speak English to a high level, you may need to discover new, specific vocabulary.
Listening
At university, you’ll need strong listening skills to understand lectures, follow seminar discussions, and attend guest talks by visiting academics. Keep an eye on unviersity social media accounts, especially YouTube. They'll often post lectures that you can follow in preparation.
Reading
You'll have to do a lot of reading as part of your degree in the UK, including academic reports. Therefore, you should be able to read difficult text quickly and effectively.
Make sure you practise by reading complex books and reports in preparation for studying.
Writing
As part of your degree, you'll have to produce essays, reports and presentations. Being able to communicate your ideas coherently is a key part to achieving academic success.
Practise writing about your chosen field, and check it against the grammar and vocabulary you've already learnt, and by using online tools, such as Grammarly.
Speaking
At university, you’ll be expected to participate in seminars and tutorials – and on some courses, you’ll even be marked on your contributions. The key to this is to gain confidence and understanding of English by practising out loud. Try speaking in English as much as possible and reading your written answers from before out loud. Watch the YouTube lectures and keep an eye on how things are pronounced.