ISE/IELTS comparison page
There are 2 government approved UK examining Boards in Secure English Language Tests. Trinity College offers ISE exams and IELTS offers their own government approved exams.
Below we offer a comparison table to help compare the structure of the relevant exams for Boarding school and University entry.
Please note that each Boarding School and University featured on the site will have different levels of English competency required for entry and this can vary by University course as well, within an institution.
For more information about the level of English needed for application for a specific VISA to study in the UK, please do visit this page of the
British Council’s web site that gives up to date information on this matter.
| UKVI SELTs (Uk Visa & Immigration Dept Secure English Language Tests) | ISE (Integrated Skills in English-Trinity College) | IELTS |
| Skills reported on certificate | Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing | |
| Results reporting | Within 14 days | Within 13 days |
| Online verification system for institutions? | Yes | Yes |
| Speaking component | 20 minutes ISE II, 4 tasks 25 minutes ISE III, 4 tasks | 11-14 minutes, 3 tasks |
| Listening | Integrated mark with speaking & Independent listening:
8 minutes ISE II, 1 task 8 minutes ISE III, 1 task
| 30 minutes, 4 sections |
| Reading | 120 minutes, 4 tasks (integrated with Writing) | 60 minutes, 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 minutes, 2 tasks | |
