English language study at West London College

There are two types of course available:

Pre-sessional English is a fixed date three or six month training course designed specifically for those that qualify for entry to our bachelors and masters degree programmes but need to achieve B2 level in a SELT in order to qualify for an appropriate student visa. Pre-sessional English is an examination course that prepares students for the BULATS and IELTS Secure English language Tests (SELTS).

General English is conventional English as a foreign language training and can be any length of 10 weeks or more. Students can start this course on any Monday. This course does not prepare students for a specific examination but students can take Cambridge exams if they wish.

What is a SELT?

If you are an overseas student from outside the EU you will need to take an approved test called a SELT (which stands for Secure English Language Test) such as IELTS, Pearson or BULATS in order to apply for a student visa to study at the College. (See here for information on where you can take a SELT). However you do not need to take a SELT before you apply for admission. If you don’t submit a SELT result with your Application Form we will simply make the SELT a condition of your acceptance. In other words we will tell you that you are admitted to the College provided you send to us a SELT result with the necessary score.

What SELT score do I need for a visa?

Your SELT score requirement will depend on the course you want to study with us (see below) but the minimum score needed to qualify for a student visa is B1 (eg IELTS 4.0) for a course below degree level, and B2 (eg IELTS 5.5) for a course of degree level or above. If you need a visa for a degree course and you have achieved Level B1 but you need level B2 you should enrol on the Pre-sessional English course combined with your chosen degree course.

The list below shows the SELT scores that are required for a successful student visa application for each of the courses we offer. However please note that these are the scores required by the United Kingdom Border Agency. The score required by the College may be higher. See individual subject pages for the College requirements. and SELTs for further important information.

SELT level requirements for a student visa

Business, Marketing & Finance
> Pre-BBA Certificate - SELT Level B1 (e.g. IELTS Score 4.0)
> Pre-MBA Advanced Diploma - SELT Level B1 (e.g. IELTS Score 4.0)
> BBA* - SELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)
> BA in Business & Finance* - SELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)
> MBA - SELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)
> MSc. in Marketing - SELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)
> MSc. in Financial Management - SELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)

Computer Science
> BCS Diploma in IT - SELT Level B1 (e.g. IELTS Score 4.0)
> BSc. in Computing - ISELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)

Hotel Management
> CTH Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management - SELT Level B1 (e.g. IELTS Score 4.0)
> BA in International Hospitality & Tourism Management - SELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)

Travel & Tourism
> CTH Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management - SELT Level B1 (e.g. IELTS Score 4.0)
> BA in International Hospitality & Tourism Management* - SELT Level B2 (e.g. IELTS Score 5.5)

Fashion Design
> Diploma in Fashion Design - SELT Level B1 (e.g. IELTS Score 4.0)

English Language
> Pre-sessional English - SELT Level B1 (e.g. IELTS Score 4.0)
> General English (visitors visa only) - No SELT required

IMPORTANT:
These are visa requirements only. Please see individual subject pages for the College requirements.The College may require higher SELT scores than those above but is often prepared to accept local qualifications in lieu of these. The United Kingdom Border Agency however will not accept local qualifications. They will only accept a SELT result. So it may be possible for a student to fulfil the College requirements with O level English language but still require a SELT at a lower level in order to make a successful visa application

What if my SELT score is too low for the course I want to take?

As long as you have a SELT score of IELTS 4.0 or equivalent, which is the minimum allowed for a visa, you can take our Pre-sessional English course first. This course lasts six months and should raise your score from 4.0 to 5.5 in that time.