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Cambridge Exam Courses

General Information

These courses form part of our normal general English courses during the year, March to November. See level details below. Students successfully completing these courses but not wishing to do the external exams still obtain an International House certificate showing that they have reached the level required.

Common European Framework (CEF)

The University of Cambridge ESOL

International Training
Level

B2 Vantage

FCE

Upper Intermediate 2

C1 Effective Operational
Proficiency

CAE

Advanced 2

C2 Mastery

CPE

Proficiency 2

Timetables

  • Classes of 1½ hours twice a week on either Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday.

FCE – First Certificate in English

FCE is an exam for people who can use everyday written and spoken English at an upper-intermediate level. It is an ideal exam for people who want to use English for work or study purposes.

  • An equal amount of time is spent on developing reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar skills so that students are fully prepared for all areas of the exam. 
  • Students are required to work hard at this level and will be expected to write a composition at home once a week. 
  • You will make a lot of progress, especially in writing and you will start to feel more confident about using and understanding English.
  • You will be given a practice test in July, before the winter holiday to help you decide if you should enter for the external exam.
  • We have Cambridge-trained examiners to help prepare and train you for the speaking part of the exam.

Click here for full details about the exam

CAE – Certificate in Advanced English

CAE is a high-level qualification that is officially recognised by universities, employers and governments around the world.

  • Classroom time is devoted to all areas of the exam and the development of the necessary skills, although writing and speaking are the two main focuses of the course.  You will be given ample opportunity to speak and develop a high level of confidence in the language
  • Students are required to work hard at this level and will be expected to write a composition at home once a week. 
  • You will be given a practice test in July, before the winter holiday to help you decide if you should enter for the external exam.
  • We have Cambridge-trained examiners to help prepare and train you for the speaking part of the exam.

Click here for full details about the exam

CPE – Certificate of Proficiency in English

CPE is Cambridge ESOL's most advanced exam. It is aimed at people who use English for professional or study purposes and requires an extremely high level of linguistic competence.

  • The course is aimed at students who have a very high level of English and who ideally have a done a pre-proficiency course
  • Classroom time is devoted to the development of the necessary skills and strategies needed to pass the exam.
  • You will be expected to work very hard and to do a lot of study at home, including the writing of a weekly composition.
  • You will be expected to work very hard and to do a lot of study at home, including the writing of a weekly composition.
  • We have Cambridge-trained examiners to help prepare and train you for the speaking part of the exam.

Click here for full details about the exam