Progress English Test 2025/26

The UAL Progress Test assesses your English level in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

If you take the UAL Progress Test and achieve the English level required to join your UAL main course, you will be able to use your Progress Test result to meet your UAL main course language requirements and you won’t have to take another external test, e.g. IELTS.

We do not issue certificates for this test. The UAL Progress Test is an internal test, and your results are sent directly to UAL Admissions. If you are applying for a Tier 4 visa application, UAL Admissions will vouch for your level of English in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Test Dates

Test 1: 3, 4, 5 December 2025 
Test 2: 18, 19, 20 March 2025
Test 3: 15, 16, 17 April 2025
Test 4: 6, 7, 8 May 2025 
Test 5: 3, 4, 5 June 2025

Bookings for each test close at 10am 2 weeks (14 days) before the first day of the test. 

Test Venue

The Reading, Writing, and Listening tests are in person tests. These will be held at 10:00 am on the Friday of the test week at UAL School of Pre-Degree Studies, Lime Grove.

Your 20 minute Speaking test will be held online on 1 of the other 2 days of the test. You will receive an email to your UAL email address around 5 days before the test with your speaking test day and time, and the link. Please ensure you are available on all three days of the test before you book.

Please read the following guides for your test:

Course Description

Test Preparation

How to access course:

Once you have booked your test, you will receive a confirmation email to your UAL email address with test preparation information and links to attend the Preparation course.

Recommended preparation:

Progress test preparation course 
This course will help you to prepare for the Progress Test. You will learn about the format of the test and you will practise using the techniques and skills needed for success in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Location: Preparation courses will be online. You will be sent the link to attend the preparation course in the confirmation email when you book your test. 

Dates:
Test 1 Preparation course: details will be emailed to all pre-degree students.
Test 2 Preparation course: Wed 11 March, 1pm-5:30pm
Test 3 Preparation course: Wed 8 April, 1pm-5:30pm
Test 4 Preparation course: Wed 29  April, 1pm-5:30pm
Test 5 Preparation course: Wed 27 May, 1pm-5:30pm  

If you require specific arrangements to take the Progress Test and would like more information, please contact the Progress Test team at least two weeks before your test: progress-test@arts.ac.uk