SELT FAQs

Trinity SELTS are Secure English Language Tests approved by the UK Visa and Immigration service (UKVI) for Leave to remain, British Citizenship, Work and Student visas.

The Trinity exams offered for SELT purposes are:

• Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE) - A1, A2 and B1 tests
• Integrated Skills in English (ISE) - B1, B2 and C1 tests

The level and type of the exam you need to take is determined by the type of visa you require. Visit the Trinity UK visa test pages and follow the links for more information about each exam type.

Trinity’s SELT exams are available in the following UK locations:

England

• Birmingham
• Bradford
• Bristol
• Leeds
• Leicester
• London Central – Blackfriars & Waterloo
• London Central – Kings Cross
• London East – Stratford
• London South – Croydon
• London West – Hammersmith
• London West – Hounslow
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Peterborough
• Portsmouth
• Preston – Central Lancashire

Northern Ireland

• Belfast

Scotland

• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

Wales

• Cardiff

You can take a home-based GESE Grade 5 exam if:

• You are 18 years or older
• You are taking the test for ILR/Residency/Settlement or British Citizenship purposes only
• You are taking the Trinity SELT Home-based Assessment in the UK

To find our available dates, search for an exam.

Please see Guidance for Home-based Assessment.

If you are taking an exam at one of our Trinity SELT centres, then our centre staff will provide lockers to put your belongings in during the duration of your exam.  

You are not allowed to have bags, mobile phones and other personal items in the exam whether you are taking your exam at one of our Trinity SELT centres or home-based. 

Your ID must be valid on the date of the exam, and you must have it with you on the day of the exam. Please see our SELT Candidate ID Policy for more information.

The following are the only ID types that can be used to book an exam:

Trinity has a wide variety of resources available for each SELT grade including sample papers, videos, self-study resources, publications and a mobile App.

• Click on the 'Prepare for your exam' links on each SELT test page
• Visit SELT Resources and follow the link to the test for which you are preparing, or to find out more about the Trinity GESE Study App

Trinity Listed SELT Course Providers offer preparation courses for your SELT. Visit this map to find a SELT course provider near you.

For GESE tests:

• Your provisional result will be emailed to you by 9am the day after you take the test. Please see below for what a provisional result means.
• Once we have approved your result, within 4-7 days after your test date, you will receive another email to confirm your final result. If you have passed, you can then use your UER number to proceed with your UKVI application.

For ISE tests:

• Results will be issued and sent usually within 21 days of taking your ISE test. You can also use our new online portal to check your result however, the result can take up to 21 days to appear here.

A provisional result is an unconfirmed result, and potentially subject to change, until approved by Trinity and confirmed as the final result.

See the Results and certificates page for your test below for more information:

• A1 SELT – GESE Grade 2
• A2 SELT – GESE Grade 3
• B1 SELT – GESE Grade 5
• B1 SELT – ISE I
• B2 SELT – ISE II
• C1 SELT – ISE III

• GESE certificates are usually sent within 7 days
• ISE certificates are usually sent within 21 days

All Trinity certificates are valid for life as evidence of the candidate’s achievement and performance in a Trinity exam. However, where certificates are used for UK visa or immigration purposes, Trinity has recommended to the UK Home Office that, for security reasons, only certificates less than two years old should be accepted.

A Unique Reference Number (URN) is required for your visa application - you can find this number on your Trinity exam certificate. It looks like this example: TCL/123456/123456/123456789

The Trinity GESE Study App is an on-the-go study tool for those preparing to take a Secure English Language Test. Created by English language experts it covers all areas of study required for the GESE Speaking and Listening test at Grade 2 (A1), Grade 3 (A2) or Grade 5 (B1).

The digital App can be accessed through an iPhone or Android mobile or tablet device and can be purchased at the time of booking a SELT exam or can be purchased separately by contacting our Customer Service team on 0333 358 3183.

For enquiries about Trinity Secure English Language tests in SELT centres:

• telephone 0333 358 3183 or email selt@trinitycollege.co.uk

For general Trinity enquiries:

• visit Contact us

When you book your test online, please select ‘Yes’ on the part of the form where it says ‘Special needs/requirements’ and enter any information about your needs/requirements. A Trinity SELT staff member will be in touch to discuss your needs and tell you how to apply for any arrangements.

Passing a Trinity exam is a reliable predictor of language performance in the world outside the test. Trinity English tests are very good at promoting effective learning because they reflect the way English is used in real life outside of the exam room.

Our speaking exam is a one-to-one conversation with a Trinity examiner. The exam format enables a meaningful exchange of information, ideas and opinions with the examiner, instead of a formal ‘question and answer’ interview, so this helps you to feel confident and do your best. 

With Trinity you are supported all the way. Trinity SELTs and the test processes have to meet specific UKVI requirements and they must be ‘secure’ to make sure that the person taking the test is who they say they are and that people cannot cheat. This approach might seem very strict, but it is necessary and our SELT staff make every effort to help you navigate through the process with as much ease as is possible – from booking your exam online to taking your test on the day.

About Trinity College London
 
Trinity College London is a leading international exam board and independent education charity that has been providing assessments around the world since 1877. We specialise in the assessment of communicative and performance skills covering music, drama, combined arts and English language. With over 850,000 candidates a year in more than 60 countries worldwide, Trinity qualifications are specifically designed to help students progress.

Visit About us to find out more.