My wife has two work Thai friends, one a widow and the other younger but both thinking of applying for citizenship / passport.

1. Widow; As I understand it she has been here for 4 yrs, obtained settlement and because of her bereavement does not need to pass English test, the former ESOL3, but will still need to pass Life in the UK. Is this correct?

2. Other friend is over 18 and daughter of Thai lady now happily married. The daughter came her, many years ago (11) with her mum and has gone through her schooling in England. As I understand it, if she wanted to apply for citizenship / passport, then for this new application she will need both the English speaking and listening certificate, plus Life in UK. Is this correct? I can only see an exemption if her course was at degree level, which Im sure it wasn't.

Any advice gratefully received.

As already said to you, but repeated here for the benefit of others:

1) Both the LitUK test and the English speaking and listening tests are required for naturalisation, unless exempt; but if passed previously for ILR those passes can be used again for naturalisation; provided she still has the relevant pass certificates.

However, if she was granted ILR as a widow then she would have been exempt from the LitUK test and English speaking and listening tests.

Short answer; if already passed she can use those pass certificates, if not passed before she will need to take both tests for naturalisation.

2) Yes, as she is over 18 she will need to pass the tests. She will be exempt from the English speaking and listening test if she has a recognised degree taught or researched in English, but will still need to pass the LitUK test.

See Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling and Become a British citizen.

Your friends may also find British citizenship basics helpful.