English Language Testing and its Impact on International Student Admissions

Professor Susan Kinnear from the University of Dundee’s School of Business has joined forces with a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and British Council, to evaluate English language testing criteria and its impact on international student admissions in Higher Education.

The project aims to make significant impact on admissions into the UK HE sector by introducing new research based practices in the following areas:

• The tests used for HE admissions
• Language assessment literacy to inform admissions practice across the HE sector globally
• Duty of care practices adopted by Higher Education Institutions in the UK and Canada

By introducing a framework for evaluating the tests used for HE admissions and delivering new AdvanceHE training courses globally for academics in line with the Professional Standards Framework 2023, the project aims to assist universities in making more informed decisions about admissions criteria when selecting the English language tests they accept.

It is hoped that a greater understanding of the standards of academic integrity reflected in suitable tests will help identify what additional support international students may need on arrival to the UK to integrate successfully into the English-speaking academic environment.

English Language Tests for Higher Education Admissions Purposes