How do I use Ecctis to show my degree was taught in English for ILR?

If your degree is from outside the UK, you apply to Ecctis for an assessment, and Ecctis confirms whether it is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher and was taught or researched in English. If you already have an Ecctis certificate from an earlier application, GOV.UK says you can use it again.

Who needs Ecctis

A bachelor's, master's or PhD awarded by a UK institution does not need Ecctis, even if you studied outside the UK: the degree certificate is enough. A degree from another country needs confirmation from the qualification and language assessments provider, which is Ecctis today. (HC 1691 removed Ecctis's name from the Rules text but the job is the same.)

What Ecctis confirms

Two things: that the qualification meets the standard of a UK bachelor's degree or higher, and that it was taught or researched in English. GOV.UK's family visa guide says Ecctis gives you a code to confirm this. A degree from a majority-English-speaking country on the GOV.UK list (or Ireland) still needs to be recognised at UK degree level.

What does not count

The degree must be academic: GOV.UK says vocational degrees and professional or vocational qualifications cannot be used. If you are not sure whether yours is academic, GOV.UK suggests asking your university. GCSEs, A levels and NVQs cannot generally be used either.

Why it is worth checking now

A qualifying degree has no date limit and no CEFR level, so it still works for applications on or after 26 March 2027, when most routes move to B2. It can save you a test. See Does my degree count? and Do I need B2?.

Quick check

The free checker asks about your degree and tells you whether you probably still need a test.

Last checked against GOV.UK: 21 October 2026.

Sources

1. Prove your knowledge of English: degrees taught or researched in English (GOV.UK, checked 21 Oct 2026)
2. Family visas: knowledge of English (GOV.UK, checked 21 Oct 2026)
3. Ecctis: assessment of qualifications taught in English (qls.ecctis.com, checked 21 Oct 2026)
4. Immigration Rules: Appendix KoLL (updated 26 March 2026) (GOV.UK, checked 21 Oct 2026)

This is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK for your own route, or speak to a regulated immigration adviser (registered with the IAA, formerly OISC). Find a regulated adviser on GOV.UK.