Exam recognition - FAQs
- Will all organisations recognise my Cambridge English certificate?
- Will universities and colleges in the USA accept my IELTS, Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) result for admission purposes?
- How do Cambridge English exams compare to GCSE/A-Level English?
- I want to study for a PGCE but have been asked to provide a GCSE in English or equivalent. Would any of the Cambridge English exams meet their requirements?
- How many credit points will I get for my Cambridge English qualification?
- Can I get UCAS Tariff points with Cambridge English exams?
- Can I get university credits for my Cambridge English certificate?
- I want to move to another country; which exam do I need to take for immigration purposes?
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Will all organisations recognise my Cambridge English certificate?
Over 12,500 organisations worldwide recognise Cambridge English qualifications. The recognition of any Cambridge English certificate is at the discretion of individual organisations. Cambridge ESOL maintains a database of organisations that recognise our exams:
If the organisation you are interested in is not listed, please contact them directly to see if they are willing to accept your Cambridge English certificate.
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Will universities and colleges in the USA accept my IELTS, Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) result for admission purposes?
The number of universities and colleges in the USA that accept Cambridge English certificates for admission purposes is rising. You can search our recognition database for an up-to-date list of universities and colleges in the USA that accept these exams. (Note that requirements for particular courses vary and, therefore, you should always discuss specific entry requirements with the college or university of your choice directly.)
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How do Cambridge English exams compare to GCSE/A-Level English?
Cambridge ESOL cannot provide a direct comparison between our exams and GCSE/A-Level English due to the different design, purpose and format of each exam – i.e. GCSE/A-Level English is aimed at native speakers of English, whilst our awards are aimed at non-native speakers.
The following pages of our website may be of interest to you in seeing how our different exams map to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and the UK National Qualifications Framework (NQF):
Common European Framework of Reference
National Qualifications Framework
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I want to study for a PGCE but have been asked to provide a GCSE in English or equivalent. Would any of the Cambridge English exams meet their requirements?
Cambridge English exams are designed with different objectives and candidates in mind to the GCSE in English (i.e. native and non-native speakers) and it is not possible to make any direct comparisons between them.
The qualifications have all been mapped to the NQF in the UK. A band score of 6.0, 6.5 in IELTS and a Pass grade in Cambridge English: Advanced (Grade C or above) are mapped at Level 2 of the NQF, whilst a Pass grade in Cambridge English: Proficiency (Grade C or above) is mapped at NQF Level 3.
Cambridge English: First is mapped at NQF Level 1, one level below a GCSE in English, but evidence from practising teachers would suggest that a candidate with a good Pass in Cambridge English: First would be expected to pass a GCSE in English.
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How many credit points will I get for my Cambridge English qualification?
Some universities and colleges offer credits and exemptions for Cambridge English exams, but as these are set by the individual institutions they often vary. It is, therefore, recommended that you contact any institution to which you wish to apply directly for further detailed information about their specific entry requirements. Some organisations do offer European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits, but these will also vary for different organisations.
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Can I get UCAS Tariff points with Cambridge English exams?
If you are applying to study at university in the UK, you can gain Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Tariff points and increase your chance of being accepted by your chosen UK university. You will need to achieve certain grades in Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) – the number of points you receive depends on the grade you achieve in your exam.
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Can I get university credits for my Cambridge English certificate?
The number of university credits awarded for Cambridge English certificates will be at the discretion of the educational institution that you are applying for. Cambridge ESOL does not assign a number of university credits to qualifications. We would recommend contacting the establishment in question directly for further information regarding their specific entry/credit requirements. Should they require further information regarding this qualification, we will be happy to provide this if they contact us.
The only exception to this is Delta, which is a regulated qualification and has been mapped to the Qualifications and Credit Framework with a QCF credit value of 60:
- Understanding Language, Methodology and Resources for Teaching: K/502/7552 (20 credits)
- Developing Professional Practice: M/502/7553 (20 credits)
- Extending Practice and ELT Specialism: T/502/7554 (20 credits).
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I want to move to another country; which exam do I need to take for immigration purposes?
English language requirements for immigration purposes are not set by Cambridge ESOL. Therefore, we would recommend that you contact the immigration service for the country you are looking to move to.
Information regarding how our awards are accepted by the UK Border Agency can be found here:
Tiers 1, 2 and 4 Visas
Spouse/partner visas
