The project team attended the PIE Live Europe in London, which helped us reflect on two themes that feel more urgent than ever for our sector:

• Fair access to higher education must include fair access to English language testing.
  For too many prospective students, language assessment is still a barrier rather than a bridge – whether due to cost, geography, documentation requirements, or limited test availability.

This is particularly acute for displaced students. I’m currently leading a research project exploring fair access to higher education via English language testing for these learners. As part of this work, we’ve launched a sector-wide survey to better understand the barriers – and identify practical solutions.

If you’re working in international education, admissions, policy, or student support, we’d really value your insights. Please take a few minutes to contribute to the survey https://feedback.surveylab.com/pageTag/SurveyCampaign/cId/xw0V7PpoOb73LjFO/

The more evidence we gather, the stronger the case we can make for more inclusive, flexible, and context-sensitive approaches to language assessment.

• Languages are not just a requirement, but they are at the heart of global education.
  Language shapes belonging, academic success, and intercultural understanding. As internationalisation strategies evolve, we should be moving beyond compliance-driven testing towards a richer recognition of multilingualism as a strength.

What stood out at PIE Live was the shared commitment across institutions, partners, and policymakers to improve the international student journey. The challenge now is turning that intent into action.

Because global education only works when it is truly accessible, and language plays a central role in making that possible.