Is PTE accepted in the UK for student visa applications and university admissions?

Yes, PTE is accepted in the UK, but the version matters critically. For a UK student visa (Student Route), you need PTE Academic UKVI - the Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). For university admissions only, most UK universities accept standard PTE Academic. Confusing the two versions is one of the most common and costly mistakes applicants make.

PTE Acceptance in the UK: Version by Purpose

Which UK Universities Accept PTE?

Does Oxford or Cambridge accept PTE? No. Both primarily require IELTS. A minimal number of courses at Cambridge may accept alternatives; always confirm with the specific department before applying.

My Advice

The single most important thing to get right with PTE for UK study is which version you need. If you took the standard PTE Academic for a previous application to another country, that score is not accepted for a UK student visa - you will need to retake it as the UKVI version. My advice: take PTE Academic UKVI from the start if the UK is your destination. It is accepted for both university admissions and the visa, so you do not need to take the standard version separately. One test, both purposes covered.