English tests online

If you have applied, or are interested in applying, to study with us, and do not hold an English language qualification that is accepted by Birmingham City University, the Birmingham City University English Proficiency Test (BCU EPT) offers an ideal opportunity to demonstrate your English ability. 

Birmingham City University’s English Proficiency Test (BCU EPT) results can be used as evidence of English language ability for the majority of courses at Birmingham City University. English language requirements for individual courses can be found on the relevant course information pages on our website.

Following receipt of your BCU EPT results, we will advise you on your next steps, including whether you would be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses.

BCU EPT Structure

The BCU EPT has been developed by the International Centre for English to assess the language skills you will need to begin a course of study at BCU.

The BCU EPT assesses your English language ability in the four skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You will be awarded scores for each skill, as well as an overall score.

You can find further information on the different parts of the test in the BCU EPT Candidate Handbook.

BCU EPT Online

The BCU EPT Online is delivered using the TestReach application and can be taken from the comfort of your own home using a laptop or computer. An online invigilator will supervise and support you throughout all stages of the test.

Full details of everything you will need to take the BCU EPT Online can be found in the BCU EPT Test Rules.

All parts of your BCU EPT Online Main Test (Listening, Reading and Writing) are recorded and retained by the provider TestReach in line with the TestReach privacy policy.

These recordings are also retained by BCU for internal staff training and quality purposes. Your Speaking Test will also be recorded and retained by BCU for internal staff training and quality purposes. By registering for and taking the test, you give your consent to be recorded. The recordings will be stored in line with UK GDPR and will not be shared outside the organisation.

Your recordings will be retained for quality purposes. If you do not wish for either of your recordings to be retained and used for internal staff training purposes, please advise us in writing that you wish to opt out by emailing us at testing@bcu.ac.uk within 48 hours of completing your test.

Booking a place on the BCU EPT

Please ensure you read the BCU EPT Test Rules and the BCU EPT Refund Policy before booking your test.

If you may need to request reasonable adjustments for the BCU EPT, please read our BCU EPT Disability Adjustments Policy and contact us at testing@bcu.ac.uk before booking a test.

After you have booked a test through our online store, you will receive an email from BCU with confirmation of your purchase and the test date.

Approximately one week before your exam, you will be sent an email from TestReach with details of your exam enrolment and instructions for the exam. It is important that you read this email carefully. Please ensure you check your junk/spam folder if you don’t see this email in your inbox.

At least 72 hours before your exam time, you will need to download the TestReach application, schedule your exam time and complete a system check. If you do not complete these steps at least 72 hours before your exam time, you will not be able to take the exam.

Following completion of the Main Test (Listening, Reading and Writing tests), you will be sent an email from BCU with instructions for booking a slot for your Speaking Test. Your Speaking Test will take place online with a BCU examiner on a different day.

Prepare for the BCU EPT

You will find guidance to help you prepare for the BCU EPT in the BCU EPT Candidate Handbook as well as sample Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking tests below.

Contact

For more information about Birmingham City University’s English Proficiency Test (BCU EPT), please contact: testing@bcu.ac.uk.

Please note:
Test registration closes 16 days before the date of the BCU EPT or when the BCU EPT is fully booked, whichever is first.

*There may be a delay in issuing results if further reviews of tests are required.

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Sample tests group 1

Sample tests group 2