Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Centres by provider
Counted from gov.uk's UK centre list and overseas centre list, both dated 23 October 2026. Trinity offers SELTs only in the UK and PSI only outside it (gov.uk).
| Provider | UK centres | Centres outside the UK |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS SELT Consortium | 18 | 567 |
| Pearson | 22 | 205 |
| LanguageCert | 24 | 213 |
| Trinity College London | 20 | None |
| PSI (Skills for English) | None | 327 |
| Total | 84 | 1,312 |
Countries with the most centres
From the same overseas list: China 185, India 145, Pakistan 66, the Philippines 37, Bangladesh 30, Saudi Arabia 28, Thailand and Turkey 25 each, the United Arab Emirates 23, and Egypt, Nepal and Nigeria 19 each. In the UK, London has 15 centres, and Birmingham and Manchester 5 each.
In India, 59 of the 145 centres are IELTS, 39 PSI, 26 LanguageCert and 21 Pearson. In Pakistan, 38 of 66 are IELTS, 15 LanguageCert, 9 PSI and 4 Pearson.
Need a SELT for a UK visa?
Where the Home Office asks for a Secure English Language Test, IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are approved. Practise the format free.
Free IELTS for UKVI practice →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Booking safely
Gov.uk says to check the provider's website for dates and to make sure the centre is open, and not to contact the centre directly. You should be able to test within 28 days of booking, though not always at the nearest location; with no approved location in your country, you must travel to another country (gov.uk).
If you book through a third party, gov.uk says to confirm they are officially recognised by the provider and charge no more than the provider's own price.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Trinity GESE outside the UK for a visa?+
No. Gov.uk lists Trinity as a SELT provider only for tests in the UK.
Can I take Skills for English in the UK?+
No. Gov.uk lists PSI only as a provider outside the UK, though results can be used for applications made in the UK.
Does a normal IELTS centre count as approved?+
Only IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills taken at an approved IELTS for UKVI location count. IELTS says UKVI accepts only tests taken in person at an official IELTS for UKVI centre.
How often does the list change?+
Gov.uk says more test centres will be added as provider services become available. The current files are dated 23 October 2026.
Keep reading
Related
- LanguageCert SELT centres in the UK
- IELTS test centres in the UK
- PTE test centres in the UK
- The approved UK SELT list
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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