Studying and working abroad

Making your ambitions and dreams a reality

Cambridge English exams give you the language skills you need to succeed in an English-speaking environment. They are widely accepted as high-quality proof of language ability, opening doors for you to live, work and study in English-speaking countries and almost anywhere in the world.

• Study
  Many people want to learn English so that they can study in an English-speaking country or complete a course taught in English or using English materials. If English is not your first language, most reputable educational institutions will require proof of your ability to use the language well enough to complete your chosen course. Cambridge English certificates give them the proof they need.
• Work
  Having an internationally recognised qualification in English is an important step towards a successful career in today's increasingly globalised world of work. Thousands of employers – many of them leading names in their industries – use Cambridge English exams because they know them to be a high-quality and reliable indicator of a person's language ability.

Check with your chosen institution or employer to see whether you need to have a particular level of English before going to study or work abroad. Or, if you haven’t already made up your mind, start by checking our recognition database to see which organisations will recognise your Cambridge English certificate.

CEFR Level C1 – the ideal level for life abroad

We offer a range of exams at different levels to prepare you for life abroad. The level most employers and educational institutions will expect you to have for academic and professional success is Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the international framework used to describe language ability. This is the level of Cambridge English: Advanced and Cambridge English: Business Higher.

However, to be sure of the level you need, check the English language requirements of your chosen college, university or employer. Alternatively, search our online database of educational institutions and businesses.

Taking you where you want to go

Find out more about how Cambridge English exams can help you emigrate to the main English-speaking countries of the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Choose ‘International’ to find out about going to non-English speaking countries (e.g. where a course may be taught in English, or where English is used as the language of communication in your chosen industry or business sector).

Cambridge ESOL recognition database

Here you can search for institutions that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of your English language ability.

Studying and working in the UK

Visa requirements

Before travelling to study or work in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa. Part of your application may involve you proving you have a specified level of ability in English, or your language skills will be taken into account in other ways when your visa application is considered.

There are different types of visa, depending on your reason for entering the country:

Tier 1 – High-value migrants
Tier 2 – Sponsored skilled workers with a job offer
Tier 2 – Minister of Religion
Tier 2 – Intra Company Transfer (ICT) & Sportspeople
Tier 4 – (General) Students
Spouses and civil partners

The UK Border Agency accepts Cambridge English exams as meeting the language requirements for Tier 1, 2, 4 and spouse and civil partner visa applications.

Find out which Cambridge English exams are recognised by the UK Border Agency for immigration purposes.

Studying in the UK

Almost all universities and colleges in the UK accept Cambridge English exams as proof of English language skills for international applicants. If you already know where you would like to study, check with that institution to see if they require you to have a particular level of English to apply.

Or, if you haven’t already chosen a course, start by checking our recognition database to see which institutions will recognise your Cambridge English certificate or IELTS test results.

UCAS Tariff system

If you want to apply for higher education courses in the UK, your application will be managed by the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Some Cambridge English exams can give you up to 140 UCAS Tariff points towards your application.

Find out more information

Finding employment

Check with your chosen employer to see whether you need to have a particular level of English before going to work abroad. Or, if you haven’t already found a job, start by checking our recognition database to see which organisations will recognise your Cambridge English certificate or IELTS test result.

Further information

Education UK
A British Council website with important information about study and life in the UK.

Hotcourses
The UK’s largest course finder, with over a million courses and thousands of student reviews.

Ofqual
Cambridge English exams are accredited by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the statutory regulatory authority for external qualifications in England, and its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Postgrad Solutions
An international education and marketing consultancy specialising in postgraduate recruitment.

Cambridge ESOL recognition database
Here you can search for institutions that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of your English language ability.

Studying and working in the USA

Visa requirements

Before travelling to study or work in the USA, you may need to apply for a visa. Part of your application may involve you proving you have a specified level of ability in English, or your language skills will be taken into account in other ways when your visa application is considered. Cambridge English certificates are often used for this purpose.

There are different types of visa, depending on your reason for entering the country. Check visa requirements for immigration to the USA with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Exams for work and study purposes

Cambridge English exams, including Cambridge English: Advanced and IELTS scores, are recognised by thousands of USA universities and faculties as part of their application procedures, including Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Princeton and Yale. Some institutions like the Duke University Graduate School have made IELTS their ‘preferred’ test.

For help with finding and applying to a college or university in the USA, go to the Education USA website.

As well as many national and international organisations, professional bodies representing major USA employers also use Cambridge English exams for overseas recruitment, including the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and many individual state boards of nursing.

IELTS
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment.

More about IELTS

Cambridge English: Proficiency
Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), is our most advanced exam, for learners who have achieved an extremely high level of skill in the English language and can function at the very highest levels of professional and academic life.

More about Cambridge English: Proficiency

Cambridge English: Advanced
Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), is a high-level language qualification in English for demanding professional and academic situations.

Go to Cambridge English: Advanced website

Cambridge ESOL recognition database
Here you can search for institutions that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of your English language ability.

Studying and working in Canada

Visa requirements

Before travelling to study or work in Canada, you may need to apply for a visa. Part of your application may involve you proving you have a specified level of ability with English, or your language skills will be taken into account in other ways when your visa application is considered. Cambridge English certificates are often used for this purpose.

There are different types of visa, depending on your reason for entering the country. Check visa requirements for immigration to Canada with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Exams for work and study purposes

Cambridge English exams, including Cambridge English: Advanced and IELTS scores, are recognised by Canadian higher educational establishments, such as Saint Mary’s University, University of British Columbia (Okanagan) and Thompson Rivers University. Cambridge English: First is also accepted for entry onto foundation and pathway courses.

Employers in Canada, including UBS Global Asset Management, PCS Telecommunications and Microsoft, recognise Cambridge English exams for work purposes.

Cambridge ESOL is an associate member of Languages Canada – the leading Canadian-based language training association.

IELTS
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment.

More about IELTS

Cambridge English: Proficiency
Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), is our most advanced exam, for learners who have achieved an extremely high level of skill in the English language and can function at the very highest levels of professional and academic life.

More about Cambridge English: Proficiency

Cambridge English: Advanced
Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), is a high-level language qualification in English for demanding professional and academic situations.

Go to Cambridge English: Advanced website

Cambridge English: First
Cambridge English: First, also known as First Certificate in English (FCE), is an exam for people who need to prove they can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level for work or for study purposes.

More about Cambridge English: First

Cambridge ESOL recognition database
Here you can search for institutions that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of your English language ability.

Studying and working in Australia

Visa requirements

Before travelling to study or work in Australia, you may need to apply for a visa. As part of your application, you may have to prove you have a particular level of English language ability, or your language skills will be taken into account in other ways when your visa application is considered.

IELTS and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) scores are often used for this purpose.

Visas and Cambridge English: Advanced

From November 2011, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) accepts Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) scores for student visa application purposes.

This means that, if you want to study in Australia, you can now use Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) for your university place and your visa.

DIAC accepts all Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) scores of 32 and higher for exams taken up to two years before your application. There are different types of visa, depending on your reason for entering the country. Check visa requirements for immigration to Australia with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Find out more about studying in Australia with Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

Exams for work and study purposes

Cambridge English exams, including Cambridge English: Advanced and IELTS scores, are recognised by Australian higher educational establishments, such as Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland and University of New South Wales. Cambridge English: First is also accepted for entry onto foundation and pathway courses.

Employers in Australia, including Siemens, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Rio Tinto, recognise Cambridge English exams for work purposes.

IELTS
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment.

More about IELTS

Cambridge English: Advanced
Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), is a high-level language qualification in English for demanding professional and academic situations.

Go to Cambridge English: Advanced website

Cambridge English: First
Cambridge English: First, also known as First Certificate in English (FCE), is an exam for people who need to prove they can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level for work or for study purposes.

More about Cambridge English: First

Cambridge ESOL recognition database
Here you can search for institutions that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of your English language ability.

Studying and working internationally

Increasingly, English is becoming the language of international business. Some sectors, e.g. industries and engineering, use English as the common language of communication in international projects. If you are looking to fast-track your career, a good knowledge of English will help you gain employment, not only in English-speaking countries, but anywhere in the world.

English is also increasingly the medium in which courses are being taught in international colleges and universities, such as Utrecht University (The Netherlands), University of Helsinki (Finland) and Monash University (campuses in Australia, Malaysia and South Africa).

Exams for work and study purposes

IELTS
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment.

More about IELTS

Cambridge English: Proficiency
Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), is our most advanced exam, for learners who have achieved an extremely high level of skill in the English language and can function at the very highest levels of professional and academic life.

More about Cambridge English: Proficiency

Cambridge English: Advanced
Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), is a high-level language qualification in English for demanding professional and academic situations.

Go to Cambridge English: Advanced website

Cambridge English: First
Cambridge English: First, also known as First Certificate in English (FCE), is an exam for people who need to prove they can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level for work or for study purposes.

More about Cambridge English: First

Cambridge ESOL recognition database
Here you can search for institutions that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of your English language ability.