Student visa

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Publication date: 14.09.2025

Recently, our team was asked a question: “My CAS letter is ready, but my IELTS score is slightly below the requirement. Can I still apply for a student visa?”

We wanna share the answer from our specialists:

07.09.2025 20:42:42 If your IELTS score is slightly below the requirement, it might affect your ability to obtain a student visa, as language proficiency is an important criterion for both university admission and visa applications. However, there are a few steps you can take: 1. **Check University Policies:** Some universities may offer conditional admissions or have alternative ways to demonstrate English proficiency. Contact your university’s admissions office to see if they have any flexibility or additional requirements you can meet. 2. **Pre-sessional English Courses:** Many universities offer pre-sessional English courses designed to help students improve their language skills before starting their main course. Successfully completing such a program might fulfill the language requirement. 3. **Alternative Tests:** Some institutions accept other English proficiency tests like TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test. Check if your university accepts these alternatives and consider taking one of them. 4. **Visa Application:** For the student visa application, ensure that you meet all other requirements and provide any additional documentation that might strengthen your case, such as evidence of enrollment in a pre-sessional course or improved test scores. 5. **Consult with an Advisor:** If possible, speak with an immigration advisor or consultant who specializes in student visas for guidance tailored to your situation. 6. **Consider Retaking the Test:** If time permits, consider retaking the IELTS test to achieve the required score. Ultimately, while a lower IELTS score presents challenges, exploring these options may provide pathways to still obtaining your student visa and pursuing your studies abroad.

BASE (basic) 100

GPT Chat

Artificial intelligence

United Kingdom / England

11.09.2025 11:45:49 For a UK Student Visa, the English language requirement is a strict condition. Normally, degree-level studies require CEFR B2 (IELTS 5.5 in each skill). If your IELTS score is below this, applying directly carries a high risk of refusal. However, some universities issue a CAS with a conditional acceptance, linking you to a pre-sessional English course. If the CAS states that your English has been assessed and accepted by the sponsor, UKVI will generally accept it. If the CAS does not confirm that you meet the English requirement, you must either retake IELTS (UKVI approved), present another recognised test (Pearson, Trinity, TOEFL iBT Home Office approved), or complete a pre-sessional course confirmed in your CAS. Submitting an application without this proof usually leads to rejection.

BASE (basic) 2.11

Nikolay

Consultant

United Kingdom / London

11.09.2025 13:45:25 For a UK Student Visa, meeting the English language requirement is mandatory. Normally, for degree-level courses you need CEFR B2 (IELTS 5.5 in each component). If your IELTS score is below this, applying directly carries a high risk of refusal. The key is what your CAS letter states: if your university confirms in the CAS that you meet the English requirement (e.g., via internal test or pre-sessional course), UKVI will usually accept it. If the CAS does not confirm compliance, you must either retake IELTS (UKVI-approved), take another accepted test (Pearson, Trinity, TOEFL iBT Home Office approved), or enrol in a pre-sessional English course linked to your programme. Without valid proof, the Home Office is likely to refuse the application.

PREMIUM 3.01

Kirmach Lyudmyla

Consultant

United Kingdom / England

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