UKVI Venue Provision for Computer Based Testing - International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The International English language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration, with over 2.5 million tests taken in the last year. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

The British Council is now seeking to secure a computer based test venue facilities provider for the provision of the IELTS test to test takers who are required to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) by United Kingdom Immigration and Visas (UKVI).

The computer based testing facilities are required in the following ten locations within the United Kingdom; Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, London (3 locations), Manchester and Portsmouth. Testing is scheduled to start in late March 2016 in one location, and will then be extended to all ten locations by late October 2016.

The facilities are required specifically for the delivery of the Listening, Reading and Writing components of the IELTS test only. The practical delivery of the computer based IELTS test will be managed directly by British Council IELTS staff. The facilities will be required to meet a minimum technical specification, as well as meet a number of non-technical requirements including those for candidates with special needs.

In the period March 2016 to April 2017 it is expected that the computer based testing facilities will be required on fixed dates for approximately one day every three weeks and will be required primarily on Saturdays. British Council staff will require access to the facilities in advance of test delivery and throughout the day on test days.

The British Council is very keen to have submissions from suppliers who can meet the complete location coverage.