From July 2026, you'll have the opportunity to complete a PGCert in Language Assessment. This new qualification is offered in collaboration with the British Council, a globally recognised leader in researching, developing and implementing language assessment.

If you are a graduate, teacher or language professional, this PGCert will equip you with the most relevant knowledge and critical skills in language assessment.

PGCert in Language in Assessment

Gain expertise in the dynamic field of language testing and enhance your professional prospects with our PG Cert in Language Assessment.  

This postgraduate certificate provides master's-level training in the specific area of language assessment in a shorter time frame. This means you can fit the qualification around other commitments and earn credits towards master’s-level studies.

For more information, visit the PGCert in Language Assessment course page

The Language Testing module offered a rare opportunity to bridge theory and practice through hands-on engagement with test design, validation and data analysis. It not only strengthened my understanding of assessment literacy but also reshaped how I approach the concept of fairness and validity in real testing contexts. The knowledge and analytical mindset I developed in this module have become invaluable in both my current research and future professional pursuits in applied linguistics.

Junyi Peng, MA student

How you'll learn

This twelve-week summer programme comprises six weeks of immersive on-campus learning (full-time), followed by six weeks for work on assignments at your own pace.

Our teaching is interactive, practical and discursive, delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, project supervision meetings and group work.

Taught by experts

Learn from the research expertise and practical assessment experience of the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics and the British Council.

Independent study

Develop your academic skills through self-scheduled teaching, guided independent study and learning activities designed by your tutors.

Facilities 

You will study in custom-built teaching spaces and have access to a modern library and computer labs.

The PG Cert, taught in partnership with the British Council, is a great opportunity for professional developing in designing, evaluating, and implementing language assessments for real-world needs. Students have the chance to learn with instructors from the University of Reading and the British Council, benefitting from both research expertise and practical assessment experience.

Richard Spiby, Head of Assessment Research, British Council

What you'll learn

You will develop assessment literacy skills and gain theoretical and practical insights into how tests are designed, evaluated and implemented, enhancing your professional testing credentials and global employability.

Our specialist areas of assessment include:

  • language testing principles
  • assessment literacy
  • classroom-based and large-scale assessment
  • testing language skills.
  • test design and evaluation.

For more information, visit the PGCert in Language Assessment course page

Master's study

Our master's courses in TESOL and Applied Linguistics give you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and research capabilities.

 

Our staff

Our staff are experts in their fields, giving you a wealth of knowledge, expertise and support at your fingertips. 

Research

Our staff are active in academic research and cutting-edge practice, with a long tradition of collaborative and interdisciplinary projects.
British Council award