BrunELT (Brunel English Language Test)

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.

Printer: Access to ink-jet or laser printer.

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.

Scanner: Required (or a scanning app) with a possibility to save documents in PDF and JPG.

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

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

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

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.

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. 

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.

Test takes place fortnightly from April - September and monthly from September - April. You can see upcoming dates on the booking form.

The test takes place online. 

You must bring some formal identification that includes a photograph of yourself, e.g. a passport or driving licence. We will not be able to give you your results unless we have seen some formal ID. During the test, you need to sit at a desk in front of a computer in a quiet room. A camera (for example in your smartphone) must be showing you, your screen and keyboard during the whole test and a microphone must be enabled. Nobody else 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.

Students are permitted to undertake the BrunELT examination once every 8 weeks.

Unfortunately, friends or family members cannot collect your results. We will only email the results to the email account originally provided when booking the test online.

We are unable to offer refunds. However you may rearrange your test for another date, or transfer the money towards any other university fee (for example accommodation/tuition fees). If you would like to take the test on another date, please inform the Brunel Language Centre office by email at languagecentre@brunel.ac.uk.

A written text, where you have to demonstrate your understanding by answering comprehension, vocabulary and reference questions.

Time allowed 30 minutes

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

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

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