To succeed in international business and commerce, you need more than a good knowledge of general English and if you can show that you have relevant language skills, you will have a greater advantage in the job market. Internationally recognised and tailored to suit career improvement goals, the Cambridge ESOL Business English Certificates (BEC) assess English language in a working environment.
BEC is available at three levels:
Choose an examination that matches your level of skills and professional needs.
All three levels of BEC are clearly linked to the Common European Framework for language assessment, published by the Council of Europe:
Council of Europe Level |
BEC Exams |
Main Suite Exams |
B1 |
Preliminary |
PET |
B2 |
Vantage |
FCE |
C1 |
Higher |
CAE |
| Certificate |
Examination Dates |
Registration dates |
| BEC Preliminary |
24 November |
17–28 September |
| BEC Vantage |
1 December |
17–28 September |
| BEC Higher |
17 November |
17–28 September |
We may be able to offer additional sessions subject to a minimum number of candidates registering. Please contact us for further information.
Oral interviews will take place . The exact date and time will be shown on each candidate's personal timetable.
In co-operation with Cambridge ESOL, we provide a Special Arrangements Service for candidates with hearing and/or speech difficulties (MS Word, 63 KB), visual difficulties (MS Word, 73 KB) and kinetic difficulties, as well as for candidates with learning difficulties (MS Word, 57 KB) such as dyslexia. We also make special arrangements for candidates who have sustained accident-related injuries, such as a broken arm, prior to the day of the exam. Download our Information Sheet for Special Needs Candidates (PDF, 18 KB) for details of how to apply for Special Arrangements.
The file can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat. If you do not have this already installed on your computer, a free copy can be downloaded from the Adobe website.
| BEC TEST DAY PHOTOGRAPHY: CONSENT FORM |
In accordance with University of Cambridge ESOL regulations, it is mandatory that we take a passport-style photograph of each BEC candidate on the day of either the speaking test or the written test. All candidates, or a parent/guardian, must sign the relevant consent form: |
| Certificate |
Fees |
| BEC Preliminary |
€120 |
| BEC Vantage |
€181 |
| BEC Higher |
€195 |
If you want to transfer to a different examination centre, please submit your request in writing as far in advance as possible. The transfer fee is €25.
If you need to change the date or time of your interview, please submit your request in writing as far in advance as possible. In most cases an administrative fee of €15 will be charged. If you are ill and have a medical certificate issued by a state hospital, you will not need to pay this fee.
We are able to refund 75% of your examination fee for medical reasons only. Appropriate medical evidence (from a state hospital, IKA, TEBE etc) and your timetable must be submitted to the British Council no later than two weeks after the date of the written examinations.
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