To see available dates, click Make a booking and click on the first box to see drop down menu.
If you have any disability or specific learning need which may require adjustments to your test, please email us to explain what your needs are and provide supporting documentation at the time of making the test booking.
The BrunELT is suitable for you if you:
- Hold a conditional offer for a place at Brunel University but do not have the required IELTS score
- Hold an IELTS score but have not yet reached the required English entry level for your academic course.
- Are currently abroad and intend to study at Brunel University or Brunel Pathway College (for further details about BrunELT in your country please select the Overseas Testing tab)
On-campus Brunel English Language Tests are now running the tests online. The current test fee is currently £52.00 but please note that this will increase to £78.00 from January 2025. Please note, if you want to take the BrunELT a second time, you must wait 8 weeks from the date of your first test. This is to give you time to work on your English so you can raise your grade. If you do not reach the grade you need, you can take one of our online English courses.
Please sign up for your preferred choice of date. Please note tests take place on a Friday afternoon (UK time) every other week. Please note that the test can take 3 to 4 hours.
The Brunel English Language Test has been developed by Brunel Language Centre to evaluate English Language ability. The test is well established and is available for Brunel applicants, current Language Centre students and external candidates.
The BrunELT provides an excellent opportunity for those who need to provide evidence of English Language ability in order to join a course at Brunel University London or Brunel Pathway College. The test can also help to establish if you require any additional English Language teaching before your academic studies.
The test is currently held online throughout the year and on certain dates.
The BrunELT comprises three sections: Writing, Speaking and a combined Grammar, Listening and Reading Test.
Technical Requirements
Hardware required: a computer (desktop or laptop) and a mobile device (a smartphone or a tablet), all of which must be equipped with a camera and a microphone.
Operating system: Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.11 (El Capitain). For the best experience, use the latest version of your operating system.
Processor: 2.5 GHz Dual Intel Core i5 and higher.
Memory: 4 GB RAM or more.
HDD: 10 GB of available disk space
Bandwidth Requirements (Internet connection): stable internet connection with 2.0 Mbps up and down.
Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge.
Plug-ins: Latest Version of: Adobe Reader, Flash and Java.
Sound Card and Speakers: Required.
Monitor/video card: Capable of at least 1280x800 resolution, 1:000:1 contrast ration; DirectX 9 or later, 128 MB graphics memory, and 32 bits pre pixel capable format.
Webcam and microphone: Built-in or external webcam and microphone required on all devices.
.NET version Windows: Some features may require .NET 3.5 or 4.6 and higher to also be installed.
DVD-ROM: May be required for installing SAS.
Writing
You will be given one essay title and you will need to write approximately 300-700 words on the subject area.
Sample question: Which aspects of English do you find easier and which ones do you find more challenging to learn?
Time allowed: 60 minutes
Speaking
You will be given a short, online interview with the examiner. You will be asked questions on subjects such as your hobbies, studies and your home country.
Sample question: Do you prefer to study online without a teacher, online, but face-to-face with your teacher and classmates or in a physical classroom? Please explain which you prefer and why.
Time allowed: 1-2 minutes per question
Grammar, Listening and Reading
This part of the test focuses on Grammar, Listening and Reading. We will send you a login and password which you will need to log in. There are six types of questions, and a short video will show you how the test works. The Grammar questions include conversation jumbles, rearranging the words in a sentence, adding missing words. In the Listening and Reading sections you will need to scroll up and down to make sure you have seen all the questions and answers. It is important that you use a computer and a tablet which meet the technical requirements. Do not use a smartphone. The results are sent directly to the Brunel University London.
To take a short practice listening, reading and grammar test, click here.
Sample question:
Time allowed: 30 minutes
Preparing for your Test
The best way to prepare for the BrunELT is to read a quality newspaper, magazine or journal and listen to BBC news in English. You should try and work on increasing your vocabulary and noticing how the language is used. The internet also provides a great source for helping you to improve your English skills e.g. Ted Talks and British Council - Learn English.
You can also:
- Practise writing an essay of 300-700 words on a subject of general interest, such as crime, education or global warming.
- Practise speaking about yourself.
- Take our practice Listening, Reading and Grammar test here.
BrunELT is done online via Zoom. If you are unsure if Zoom works in your country or if you have not used it before, please click here and test it before your exam.
Online Exam Rules
You must have access to TWO devices with camera and wifi access!
Before you sit your test, you will need to email your ID in the form of a ‘selfie’ (picture of your face and your passport) as shown in Picture 1 below. Please email your selfie with your passport page clearly showing you photo, name and date of birth to BrunELT@brunel.ac.uk.
Picture 1: Selfie with passport
An online exam is very similar to exams which you would take inside university lecture theatres. All exams are invigilated and any form of cheating is unacceptable. You will need to sit at a clear desk in front of your computer, alone in the room (and not lie on your bed). You also need a smartphone with the rear-facing camera showing you during the whole exam uninterruptedly. If the connection is lost or the image and sound get interrupted, the exam results will be invalid.
The tests are recorded for security: recordings are stored on University drive for 7 years and are only referred to check unusual behaviour in an exam and possibly by the UK Visa and Immigration inspectors as evidence that this test has taken place.
Pictures 2 and 3 below show the necessary setup – with the full view of your head, hands and laptop. The photo below shows the necessary setup – with the full view of your head, hands and laptop. You will need two devices, such as a laptop and a phone and both devices must have a camera and a microphone. At the beginning of your exam you need to turn the camera 360 degrees around your room to show that there is nobody else inside, that there are no other devices or any materials near you, even on the floor. You need to show the invigilators that all other devices are off. Jewellery and watches are not permitted. Only your computer can be on the desk. Your mouth, ears and hands must be visible at all times. You must be wearing appropriate clothing. Headsets can only be worn for Listening and Speaking. Food is not permitted but you can drink water. If you choose to use paper to write your answers, you need to take a photo immediately after the test has finished and send it to the invigilator. If your email is sent late, the exam result will be invalid.
Picture 2: Room setup
Picture 3: View from the rear camera of your smartphone
Make sure the batteries of your devices are sufficiently charged and/or plugged-in as both devices will have their cameras on during the whole exam.
Results
You will receive your results 1 week after you have taken the test. Your results will be sent to the email address you provided in the online application (please note that, unfortunately, we cannot give results out over the phone). Test results will be invalid if there is no or interrupted camera footage. Depending on your application status, we will inform you of one of the following:
Met Entry Requirements
If you have already applied to Brunel (or Brunel Pathway College) and your BrunELT results meet the required level for your course, we will inform you of this and update your records to show you have met the English condition. If you have reached the required English level for your course, you still have the opportunity to attend the 6-week Pre-sessional course to further develop your English skills before you start your academic course.
Fallen Below Entry Requirements and need to take an online, face-to-face English course
If you have fallen slightly below the entry requirements for direct entry and you already hold IELTS with a minimum score of 4.0 with 4.0 in each sub section, you may be able to join one of our English courses. If this is not the case, we will advise you on how to proceed. Please note that if you have fallen below the requirements and you do not hold IELTS with a minimum of 4.0, you can still be placed on an appropriate pre-sessional course if you apply for the 'online only' option.
Not applied to Brunel for a degree course
If you only wish to study English, please apply for an English course or email language.centre@brunel.ac.uk. The BrunELT (£33) is only for students applying for a degree course.
BrunELT Score Scale and approximate IELTS Equivalency
| BrunELT Score | IELTS Score |
|---|
| 45-49 |
4.5 |
| 50-54 |
5.0 |
| 55-59 |
5.5 |
| 60-64 |
6.0 |
| 65-69 |
6.5 |
| 70-74 |
7.0 |
| 75-79 |
7.5 |
| 80-84 |
8.0 |
LanguageCert and approximate IELTS Equivalency
| Language Cert score |
IELTS score |
| B1 Achiever Pass |
4.0 - 4.5 |
| B1 Achiever High Pass |
5.0 |
| B2 Communicator Pass |
5.5 |
| B2 High Communicator High Pass |
6.0 |
| B2 High Communicator High Pass |
6.5 |
| C1 Expert Pass |
7.0 - 7.5 |
As well as testing on the Brunel campus, we also offer you the opportunity to take the BrunELT in selected countries. In previous years we have run tests in Bahrain, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, South Korea,Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.
Upcoming Tests
There are currently no scheduled tests, please check again later.
Test Structure
The format of the BrunELT Travel Test differs slightly to the structure of the test we offer on Brunel campus. The test includes three sections: Reading, Listening and Writing.
Reading
A written text, where you have to demonstrate your understanding by answering comprehension, vocabulary and reference questions.
Time allowed 30 minutes
Listening
You will be required to listen to an academic lecture and show your understanding by answering a number of questions related to the lecture. The test is divided into two sections. Before the lecture begins you will receive the question paper for Parts A and B. You will be given 5 minutes to read the questions and think about the kind of answers you are expected to give.
Part A: You will fill in gaps with numbers or words as you listen to the lecture. The questions in Part A test your ability to understand and note down discrete facts. You should write the exact words of the lecturer
Part B: You are required to answer a range of question types. You may be expected to decide whether statements are true or false, sometimes justifying your answer. You may also have to answer open questions, multiple choice questions and questions about steps in a process. You need to answer all the questions in Part B while you listen to the lecture. In this section of the test, you need to demonstrate your understanding of key ideas and processes and your ability to select key information, while discarding irrelevant facts. You can use your own words or the lecturers words
Time allowed 20 minutes
Writing
You will be given a choice of two essay titles, from which you need to choose one to write approximately 300-700 words on the subject area.
Time allowed 45 minutes
Speaking
You will be given a short interview with the examiner. You will be asked questions on subjects such as your hobbies, studies and your home country. This will be recorded.
Time allowed 5-6 minutes
Preparing for your Test
The best way to prepare for the BrunELT is to regularly read a quality English Language newspaper, magazine or journal and listen to BBC news in English. You should try and work on increasing your vocabulary and noticing how the language is used. The internet also provides a great source for helping you to improve your English skills:
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do tests take place
Test takes place fortnightly from April - September and monthly from September - April. You can see upcoming dates on the booking form.
Where does the test take place?
The test takes place online.
How long does the test take?
It takes 3 to 4 hours.
What do I need to prepare for the test?
You must prepare a photo ID (a formal identification that includes a photograph of yourself, e.g. a passport or driving licence). We will conduct a room check and a take a selfie of yourself holding your photo ID next to your face so please make sure you keep your photo ID handy. You must also prepare 2 devices that can show 2 views (side view and face view). A camera (using your smartphone or tablet for example) must be showing you, the screen and keyboard of the second device you will be working on, and the second device (laptop or desktop) with a microphone and a facing camera that will be enabled throughout the test to show your face view. For an illustration of the required setup, please see question below “How do I take my selfie and set up my devices?”. PLEASE NOTE Nobody else apart from you, the candidate, can be present in the room during the test. Test results will be invalid if there is no or interrupted camera footage. Please note you will not be allowed to use a dictionary or any other resources in the test. Complete procedure can be found
here.
Can I take the test more than once?
You are permitted to take the BrunELT test once every 8 weeks. There must be at least an 8-week gap between any two tests you take with us. You will not be eligible to book this test if less than 8 weeks have passed since your last test.
How and when will I get my results?
Results will be emailed to the email account originally provided when booking the test online. Results are normally released and sent to candidates and Admissions team within 10 working days of the test taking place.
Can I get a refund if I miss the test?
Test fees are non-refundable but if you cannot attend on the date originally booked, you can request to rearrange for another date. If you would like to reschedule a test you have already booked, you need to contact the BrunELT team at BrunELT@brunel.ac.uk.
What are the online exam rules?
Please see full test rules
here.
Can I use any additional help during the exam?
Your work needs to be yours and any additional help like dictionary or AI (artificial intelligence) is strictly NOT ALLOWED. Any suspected cheating or suspicious behaviour will be taken extremely seriously and will be investigated. Subject to investigation, if it is believed you have cheated or used AI, you risk failing the test outright and your application to Brunel to be rejected.
What is Dynamic Placement Test (Clarity test)?
Please see
this document for further information and example questions.
How do I take my selfie and set up my devices?
To see how to take your selfie and set up your devices, please click
here.
How to contact the BrunELT team?
If you have any other questions or need help with any issue, you can contact the BrunELT team at
BrunELT@Brunel.ac.uk.