IMPORTANT NOTE: All exams will run subject to numbers and closing dates are subject to change by Cambridge. Please allow sufficient time to enroll for your exam. Any entries received after the closing date will be subject to a €50 late entry fee. Should you wish to change your exam level after enrollment a charge of €50 will be incurred. No cancelations are accepted after the closing date.
Cambridge English: Key is a great first step in communicating in English. It is an elementary level qualification for basic everyday written and spoken English at Level A2 of the CEFR.
Learners who need practical English for everyday use choose Cambridge English:Preliminary. At Level B1 of the CEFR, this qualification gives them the skills they need to communicate effectively in work, study or travel settings.
This qualification shows that the learner has achieved a good level of skills in English and is ready for success in the real world. It is at CEFR Level B2 which means it is suitable for intermediate study such as foundation and pathway courses, or for starting work in an English-speaking environment.
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) provide assessment of general communication at the higher levels of the CEFR.
The BEC suite is linked to the five ALTE/Cambridge Levels for language assessment, and to the Council of Europe's Framework for Modern Languages. It is also aligned with the UL Qualification and Curriculum Authority's National Standards for Literacy, within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
BEC | Equivalent Main Suite Exam | Council of Europe Level | |
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | C2 (ALTE level 5) | Level 2* | |
BEC Higher | Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) | C1 (ALTE level 4) | Level 1 |
BEC Vantage | First Certificate in English (FCE) | B2 (ALTE level 3) | Engry 3 |
BEC Preliminary | Preliminary English Test (PET) | B1 (ALTE level 2) | |
Key English Test (KET) | A2 (ALTE level 1) |
* This represents the level typically required for employment purposes to signify the successful completion of compulsory secondary education in Ireland and the UK.
At all three BEC levels, the "business" aspect of this examination affects the vocabulary, the types of texts selected and the situations presented in the tasks.
Cambridge examination | Exam Date |
Speaking exam - This will take place on a date to be confirmed between |
Closing date | Fees |
A2 Key (KET) | 08 Jun 23 (Thu) | TBC | TBC | €150 |
Preliminary English Test (PET) |
02 Mar 23 (Thu) 04 May 23 (Thu) 08 Jun 23 (Thu) 25 Jul 23 (Tue) 11 Nov 23 (Sat) 01 Dec 23 (Fri) |
TBC |
03 Feb 23 04 April 23 11 May 23 28 Jun 23 13 Oct 23 03 Nov 23 |
€150 |
First Certificate in English (FCE) |
10 Mar 23 (Fri) 22 Apr 23 (Sat) 06 Jun 23 (Tue) 27 Jul 23 (Thu) 07 Oct 23 (Sat) 28 Nov 23 (Tue) |
TBC |
10 Feb 23 22 Mar 23 09 May 23 30 Jun 23 08 Sept 23 01 Nov 23 |
€195 |
First Certificate in English (FCE) for Schools | 17 May 23 (Wed) |
TBC |
18 Apr 23 |
€195 |
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) |
22 Feb 23 (Wed) 11 Mar 23 (Sat) 11 May 23 (Thu) 07 Jun 23 (Wed) 21 Oct 23 (Sat) 29 Nov 23 (Wed) |
22 Feb 23 TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC |
26 Jan 23 10 Feb 23 12 April 23 10 May 23 22 Sept 23 02 Nov 23 |
€200 |
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | 09 Jun 23 |
TBC |
11 May 23 |
€210 |
BEC Vantage |
02 Dec 23 (Sat) |
TBC |
03 Nov 23 |
€195 |
Note for Schools/groups: ULLC can arrange other Cambridge exam dates for closed groups of students (minimum of 10 candidates). Contact the office for more information. |
Send a completed application form to language.centre@ul.ie (or postal address below) along with proof of payment.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All exams will run subject to numbers and closing dates are subject to change by Cambridge. Please allow sufficient time to enroll for your exam. Any entries received after the closing date will be subject to a €50 late entry fee. Should you wish to change your exam level after enrollment a charge of €50 will be incurred. No cancelations are accepted after the closing date.
Methods of Payment | Details |
1. Bank Transfer |
Please email us for Bank details |
2. Bank Draft | Irish or International bank draft made payable to the University of Limerick Language Centre |
ULLC will confirm that payment has been received by sending a receipt as well as full joining instructions. In addition a timetable for the day of your exam will also be sent to you.
IMPORTANT: For student fee payments, please see: General Queries FAQ 2021-22_0.pdf (ul.ie)