The English language testing portfolio is one of PSI’s fastest-growing parts of the business, which includes its Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test.
The Skills for English test – created in partnership between the Scottish Qualifications Authority and PSI – was approved by UK government for visas and immigration in 2020. More recently authorities in Ireland also approved the test for study visa qualification.
It is also used for non-visa purposes through live online proctored delivery.
PSI noted that the five-fold year-on-year growth has been driven by test centre and online proctoring expansion, while demand for SELTs has been “exceptionally strong” in Africa and South East Asia.
The provider said it has “consistently implemented a strategy of opening Skills for English test centres in countries underserved by other providers”.
It now offers testing in 300 Home Office-approved test centres in 128 countries, “more countries than any other SELT provider”, it emphasised.
There are eight countries where Skills for English is the only UK-approved SELT available: Barbados; Bolivia; Côte d’Ivoire; Gambia; Guyana; and Haiti.
In July 2022, it also opened the first approved test centre in Libya, shortly after the British Embassy in Tripoli was reopened.
“The opening of the test centre in Libya marks another step towards providing greater access for Libyans to work or study opportunities in the UK,” British ambassador, Caroline Hurndall, said at the time.
“We commend PSI and its partners for their commitment to opening up this valuable new channel.”
It also recently partnered with International House World Organisation to offer tests at the global network of 150 affiliated language schools in over 50 countries.
