Evidence of English Language Advice Needed

[Luschka]

Hello,

I have received a letter saying that I have to provide extra evidence of my English proficiency.

I haven't done the B1 or ESOL Level 3 or anything like that, but can't find definitive information that would confirm if any of my qualifications would be accepted.

I have:

- High School Senior Certificate that shows English First Language High Grade B (South African)
- Academic Transcript of Bachelor of Arts (Languages & Literature with Specialisation in Creative Writing) that shows English study units in Writing and Literature (from University of South Africa)
- 20-Hour Intensive Introductory Course in Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate (London)
- Level 4 City & Guilds Certificate in Further Education Teaching
- and (City & Guilds) ILM Level 3 Introductory Certificate in First Line Management

Any advice that leads to NOT having to spend £100-odd on a thoroughly useless test would be gratefully received.

[Jersey]

If
Your passport showing that you are a national of a majority English speaking country;
then you satisfy the english language advise.

If I understand correct that your're holding South African passport, then you should be ok.

[t123456789]

A South African passport is not sufficient. However you say you have a BA from UNISA which I assume is at least 3 years. Go to this page and select Tier 1 General, inside the UK and extending visa. Find your UNISA degree in the qualifications section and you should get 30 points (you need at least 20 points) and in the English section you should get 10 points. Print out BOTH these pages and submit them. That will be sufficient proof.

One possible problem is you may have to submit the original degree (the one you hang on the wall) and not the transcript. I had to have mine sent over from SA. Technically if the transcript is original and has your full name and you graduated it should be OK according to the rules, but they still wanted my original degree.

[Luschka]

If

If I understand correct that your're holding South African passport, then you should be ok.

Thank you for your response.

They sent a list of the countries that are accepted as majority English speakers, and South Africa doesn't seem to be on that list anymore!

It's only:

Antigua & Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts & Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
The USA

:/ I don't know when South Africa stopped having English as an official language :/

[Luschka]

One possible problem is you may have to submit the original degree (the one you hang on the wall) and not the transcript. I had to have mine sent over from SA. Technically if the transcript is original and has your full name and you graduated it should be OK according to the rules, but they still wanted my original degree.

Thanks for that information.

I was afraid of that - we were affected by the severe flooding in December/January and I don't believe I have my certificate anymore. They're also only given me till 30 October to send the additional information!

[t123456789]

I should say the problem I had was with the NCS who said they spoke to the HO and the no longer accept transcripts, but the law clearly states they should. I was told if I wanted to use the transcript I would need a letter from the university stating I did study there and why I did not still have the degree. I think you can order a copy of your degree from UNISA but it may take a while.

[t123456789]

The rules are here. It seems they can waive the requirement of the original degree if it no longer exists (and they believe you).