Internationally recognised qualifications
Business English Certificates BEC
The Business English Certificates (BEC) are internationally recognised qualifications that show employers your skills for using English in the workplace. BEC is an ideal English language exam if you are preparing for a career in business.
If your English language ability is sufficient for most simple communications, such as shopping, you may consider progressing towards BEC. You should have an understanding of, or interest in, the world of work, business and commerce.
The BEC exams are aligned with Levels B1 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability, from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real skills with language, such as being able to write a report, or take a telephone message. This means that preparing for BEC will help you develop real-life skills and the confidence to use them.
BEC is also linked with the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's National Standards for Literacy, within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
It is an examination in reading, writing, listening and speaking in work-related situations, aimed at three levels of competence from BEC Preliminary (lower-intermediate), BEC Vantage (upper-intermediate) and BEC Higher (advanced).
Successful candidates are awarded grade Pass or Pass with Merit.
A pass in the level 3 (BEC Higher) examination should be adequate for students wanting to study business. A pass with merit in the BEC Higher examination should be required for linguistically more exacting business courses.
Please contact individual schools for more information on test centres, fees, dates and registration process.