English Language Assessment

Overview

Many international students will already have an internationally accepted English Language Certificate of Proficiency. However, the University of Essex, in common with most other British Universities, also requires all newly-registered students whose first language is not English to sit a short, internal English Language Test.

The purpose of the assessment is to provide the University with a single measure of English language proficiency across the whole student body. The test is only administered after students have been accepted at the University. The results therefore do not affect entry to or start date of student programmes of degree study. 

The assessment also provides information for the University Skills Centre In-Sessional English Language Support Programme.

Structure of the Assessment

The assessment consists of a Writing Paper and an on-line Use of English test.

Test preparation

There is no need to prepare for the tests, but any student who would like to familiarise themselves with the Computer-based test format can complete a practice test at http://www.englishlanguagetesting.co.uk/run-a-practice-test/

Schedule of Tests

The tests will be in October 2011.The schedule of sittings for each department will be posted to /internationalacademy/current/ELA/testdates.aspx in June 2011.

Please note that only students who have taken the English Language Assessment will be eligible to sign up for free in-sessional English language support classes.

Exemption from the Assessment

All European and international students whose first language is not English are required to take the test. Please note that it is not always possible for the University to identify native English speakers in these groups. Native speakers of English who receive a message about the test are kindly requested to email eltest@essex.ac.uk to have their names removed from the test mailing list.

Last modified on 25 February 2011