Demonstrable English language skills are an important component of admission policies for international students. One way to demonstrate proficiency is by presenting a language test certificate with a minimum score, as described in the Language Test Appendix of the Code of Conduct.

In principle, language tests must be taken in a physical testing centre. An online test is only permitted in exceptional circumstances, for example if a test centre is inaccessible or closed due to an unsafe situation in a certain country.

Educational institutions are responsible for ensuring that students actually have the specified language proficiency. If a student presents a language test certificate as proof, that certificate should be checked. The IND’s newsletter recently noted that certificates for online language tests are not always verified properly. Certificates are verifiable online. The National Commission would like to emphasise the importance of meticulous and full verification.