FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Recognition in the USA
Recognition of Cambridge ESOL examinations for teaching purposes
- Does my CPE certificate entitle me to teach English as a foreign language?
- I want to study for a PGCE but have been asked to provide a GCSE in English or equivalent. Would any of the Cambridge ESOL exams meet their requirements?
Credits and exemptions
Recognition for examinations that are no longer administered
- How does my RSA Diploma for Overseas Teachers of English (DOTE) relate to DELTA? Can it be classed as a postgraduate level qualification?
- What level is the Diploma in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language to Adults (DTEFLA) at?
Recognition of the lower level exams
Comparisons
- Why can my Cambridge ESOL qualification not be compared directly with a GCSE or A-Level in English?
- I have a Cambridge ESOL qualification but the university I am applying to is requesting a TOEFL score. How do they compare?
- Do higher/further education institutions abroad accept exams such as CAE and CPE as well as IELTS or TOEFL?
Frameworks
- How do the Cambridge ESOL examinations map to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in the UK?
- How do the Cambridge ESOL examinations map to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages?
Funding
British Citizenship English language requirements
Further information
Recognition in the USA
Will universities and colleges in the USA accept my IELTS, CAE or CPE for admission purposes?
The number of universities and colleges in the USA that accept Cambridge ESOL certificates for admission purposes is rising. Approximately 500 higher/further education institutions in the USA now recognise either IELTS, CAE or CPE for admission purposes. For an up-to-date list of universities and colleges in the USA that have informed us that they accept either CAE, CPE or IELTS please search our recognition database. You should 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.
Recognition of Cambridge ESOL examinations for teaching purposes
Does my CPE certificate entitle me to teach English as a foreign language?
Although the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) demonstrates a high level of proficiency in English and is therefore recognised in some countries for English teaching purposes, it is a test of language competency rather than a teaching qualification. If you are interested in doing a teaching qualification then you might like to consider our Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) or our Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA). Find out more information about our Teaching Awards.
I want to study for a PGCE but have been asked to provide a GCSE in English or equivalent. Would any of the Cambridge ESOL exams meet their requirements?
The Cambridge ESOL examinations 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 National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in the UK. A band score of 6.0, 6.5 in IELTS and a Pass grade in CAE (Grade C or above) are mapped at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework whilst a Pass grade in CPE (Grade C or above) is mapped at NQF Level 3.
FCE 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 FCE would be expected to pass a GCSE in English.
Credits and exemptions
How many credit points will I get for my Cambridge ESOL qualification?
Some universities and colleges offer credits and exemptions for Cambridge ESOL qualifications 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 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, but these will also vary for different organisations.
Find out more information on the European Credit Transfer System.
Recognition for examinations that are no longer administered
How does my RSA Diploma for Overseas Teachers of English (DOTE) relate to DELTA? Can it be classed as a postgraduate level qualification?
The DOTE, which was offered until 2002 and then revised to form part of the Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA), is indeed a postgraduate level qualification. The current DELTA sits at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and although the DOTE itself was not mapped to the NQF it was set at the same level and standard as the DELTA. The DOTE also differed in that it was aimed at non-native speakers of English whereas the revised DELTA can be taken by both native and non-native speakers.
What level is the Diploma in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language to Adults (DTEFLA) at?
DTEFLA is now known as the Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA). The DELTA is seen as a postgraduate level qualification and is mapped at Level 5 on the QCA's National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in the UK.
Recognition of the lower level exams
What can I do with my KET and PET qualifications? Will institutions ask for them?
KET and PET are being used by more than 500 corporations around the world including international companies like Siemens, KPMG, Saab, Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline and Cable & Wireless.
In Switzerland, PET is recognised as part of the school leaving examination in the vocational sector. It often counts towards the students' final exam mark or sometimes is recorded as an additional achievement on the certificate.
Comparisons
Why can my Cambridge ESOL qualification not be compared directly with a GCSE or A-Level in English?
Due to the very different content and focus of the GCSE in English, A-Level in English and the Cambridge ESOL qualifications it is not possible to make any direct comparisons between them. However our Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), among other examinations, was mapped at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework in the UK and our Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) was mapped at one level above this at NQF Level 3. A GCSE in English and an A-Level in English were mapped at NQF Level 2 and NQF Level 3 respectively.
I have a Cambridge ESOL qualification but the university I am applying to is requesting a TOEFL score. How do they compare?
It is not possible to make any direct comparisons between the Cambridge ESOL examinations and TOEFL due to the very different focus and examination content. However, most UK universities which accept the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) and a band score of 5.5 or 6.0 and above in IELTS, for admission purposes often request a TOEFL score of approximately 550 or 213 in the computer-based test.
Do higher/further education institutions abroad accept exams such as CAE and CPE as well as IELTS or TOEFL?
Universities and colleges worldwide recognise that a student with a CAE or CPE from Cambridge ESOL has sufficient language ability in the four main language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) to participate fully in their courses. Please search our recognition database.
Frameworks
How do the Cambridge ESOL examinations map to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in the UK?
The Cambridge ESOL examinations are mapped to the National Qualifications Framework at the following levels:
| NQF level | Skills for Life (SfL) | Main Suite | Business English Certificates (BEC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | CPE | ||
| Level 2 | SfL Level 2 | CAE | BEC Higher |
| Level 1 | SfL Level 1 | FCE | BEC Vantage |
| Entry 3 Level | SfL Entry 3 | PET | BEC Preliminary |
| Entry 2 Level | SfL Entry 2 | KET | |
| Entry 1 Level | SfL Entry 1 |
How do the Cambridge ESOL examinations map to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages?
Cambridge ESOL examinations are the only certificated exams referred to in the Council of Europe's Common European Framework document as specifically linked to it by a long-term research programme. Cambridge ESOL examinations are set at the following levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF):
| CEF Level | Main Suite Exams | Business English Certificates (BEC) |
|---|---|---|
| C2 (ALTE Level 5) | CPE | |
| C1 (ALTE Level 4) | CAE | BEC Higher |
| B2 (ALTE Level 3) | FCE | BEC Vantage |
| B1 (ALTE Level 2) | PET | BEC Preliminary |
| A2 (ALTE Level 1) | KET |
Funding
Is any funding available for the Cambridge ESOL qualifications in the UK?
The Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life qualifications (SfL) are based on the adult ESOL core curriculum and therefore receive funding from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Funding for other Cambridge ESOL examinations was withdrawn in December 2004.
British Citizenship English language requirements
Will my Cambridge ESOL qualification meet the Home Office English language requirements for British Citizenship?
You will be asked to demonstrate both knowledge of English language and knowledge of life in the UK to meet the requirements set out by the Home Office.
According to the Home Office website you can meet these requirements in the following way:
- successfully completing a course of study in ESOL with citizenship
- passing a short test on knowledge of life in the UK at a Life in the UK Test Centre.
Further detailed information on the requirements for British Citizenship and how you can demonstrate both your knowledge of English language and life in the UK can be obtained from the Home Office website.
Further information
I have a query regarding the Cambridge ESOL examinations that isn't answered in the FAQs section. Who should I contact?
Please contact us using the online enquiry form.
