Proving English knowledge with a degree (not graduated yet)

[Carbon-12]

Hi there,

I hope everybody is well. I have a question in regards to using a degree from an English university to prove my knowledge of the English language.

I will be submitting my application soon and was hoping to satisfy the English knowledge requirement with my degree. However, I would like to submit my application ASAP but I have not graduated yet - I will be graduating in July of this year. To the best of my understanding, I could submit an official letter from the university, which says that my degree was taught in English and that the qualification/degree will be awarded in July 2021. However, I am not a 100% sure whether this is applicable or not - has anybody done this? I've attached a screenshot of a supporting document from the Gov website which talks about this issue.



Ideally, I would like to use that provision and apply ASAP rather than paying 150£ for the B1 test.

I hope that this makes sense and I apologises if I haven't explained it properly; it is my first time posting to seek help. Thanks.

[alterhase58]

Which document was that quote taken from? Sorry if I missed something.

Had a quick look at the AN1 guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... l_2021.pdf) but can't see that section.

Is there any specific reason for the urgency?

[vinny]

Extract from Knowledge of language and life in the UK caseworker guidance.

[CULLINAN]

Have you completed your degree? All exams etc? Do you have the results? If not, I am afraid you will have to take the B1 SELT if you want to apply now.

[Carbon-12]

Which document was that quote taken from? Sorry if I missed something.

Had a quick look at the AN1 guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... l_2021.pdf) but can't see that section.

Is there any specific reason for the urgency?

This was taken from the 'Knowledge of language and life in the UK caseworker guidance' that @vinny provided. Sorry about not including the source and thank you.

The reason behind the urgency to apply for citizenship is because I might have a job opportunity in Asia following graduation. I did a placement year there as part of my degree and am keen on going back, but equally I don't want to miss out on getting my citizenship considering all my family is in the UK and I've been living here for the past almost 15 years.

Another question if I may - I've been absent from the UK for slightly more than 2 years in the past 5 year period due to a study exchange, a few months of travelling, and my professional training year in Asia - do you think that might be an issue for them? I also wouldn't have been in the country for the past 12 months before submitting my application, but I think I might be exempted due to professional training abroad as part of my degree? I'm not sure whether I have to apply for it based on the past 5 years of residency or whether it could be any 5 year period as I've already been in the UK for almost 15 years and have not left for longer than a week in the previous 10 years.

In terms of the English language test, I suppose I could just go ahead and pay for it rather than trying to circumvent or having to wait until my degree is awarded in a few months.

Edit: thank you for all the replies, it is much appreciated!

[CR001]

Citizenship is based on the 5 years immediately preceding the date of application and you need to meet the all the requirements.

You cannot choose any 5 year period in the past that suits.

[Carbon-12]

Citizenship is based on the 5 years immediately preceding the date of application and you need to meet the all the requirements.

You cannot choose any 5 year period in the past that suits.

I see, thanks for clarifying. To my understanding however, if I have been absent for longer periods than what they allow in the past 5 years, they could exercise discretion providing I've lived in the UK for longer - which I have?

[CULLINAN]

Also see:
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/natural ... sh_citizen

[secret.simon]

Keep in mind that British nationality law (and UK immigration law in general) is much more precise and demanding than EU law.

There are three broad residence requirements for naturalisation.

Firstly, were you physically present in the UK at the start of the five year period immediately preceding the date of application? So, for instance, if you applied today (07th April 2021), you need to have been physically in the UK on 8th April 2016. That is a hard requirement and the Home Office has no discretion to disregard that requirement.

The other two requirements are absences for the five years and the one year immediately preceding the date of application. Discretion can be used in these cases, but discretion is granted according to rules and guidance. See from Page 16 of the Naturalisation as a British citizen caseworker guidance.

Be aware that if you have exceeded absences in both the five and one year periods immediately preceding the date of application, you must prove "exceptional circumstances".

I also wouldn't have been in the country for the past 12 months before submitting my application

In my opinion, professional training abroad will not count as "exceptional circumstances" (which I would interpret as absence due to matters beyond your control). It is a choice to study abroad. And all applicants for naturalisation already have Settled Status or an equivalent, which gives them the ability to reside in the UK for the long term without being a British citizen.

The Home Office would likely take the view that you can apply for naturalisation after you have returned to the UK and resided in the UK for a year after your extended absences from the UK (thus bringing the absences in the year immediately preceding the date of application down significantly).

Keep in mind that if your naturalisation application is unsuccessful, you will only be refunded the citizenship ceremony fee of £80 and lose the rest of the fees.