Guide to English Certifications
In this guide, you’ll find tips to help you choose the certification that best suits you.
There are several internationally recognized English language certifications that assess a person’s proficiency level; check the list and choose based on the program you wish to apply for and the required deadlines.
For H-FARM College’s Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, the required level is B2
So, how to choose the certification?
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Check the application announcement for the course you want to apply for and assess which recognized certifications to pursue.
EVALUATE THE TESTED SKILLS
Each certification assesses different language skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking). Make sure that the certification you are considering is comprehensive and includes all four necessary competencies.
COMPARE EXAM FORMATS
Exams like IELTS have different formats; they can be taken at a physical center or conveniently online from home. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with, considering that taking the exam online significantly shortens the correction timelines.
DEADLINES AND AVAILABILITY
Check the deadlines for registration and exam completion, ensuring you have enough time to prepare and submit the obtained certification on schedule.
PREPARATION
If you have never studied for an English certification, we recommend preparing adequately by seeking support from an English school or preparing independently.
University of Chichester
Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees
To find out which English language qualifications and scores we accept as proof of your English level, please visit the University of Chichester’s webpage. There you can find the full list of accepted qualifications and the required scores.
Ca’Foscari University
Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Management
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, Ca’ Foscari adopts the list developed and approved by the Italian Association of University Language Centers (AICLU) as the official list of recognized international language certifications for verifying the language proficiency required for admission to its programs. You can find all the information on the dedicated page:
Exemptions
Candidates in the following categories are exempt from the requirement to provide an English language proficiency certificate:
- Students who are citizens of a majority English-speaking country.
- Students that have studied for at least one year in the UK at degree level or higher (and completed successfully within the last five years).
To help you choose, we have selected the three most common exams, which you will find detailed below:
- IELTS – recognized by Ca’ Foscari University and the University of Chichester
- Cambridge – recognized by Ca’ Foscari University and the University of Chichester
- LanguageCert – recognized by Ca’ Foscari University and the University of Chichester
To better explain the difference between these exams, imagine a passport and a plane ticket.
A passport, which identifies a citizen of a particular country and grants access to other nations, can be compared to a Cambridge or LanguageCert exam—these certifications have no expiration date and are recognized worldwide.
A plane ticket, on the other hand, allows you to travel but has an expiration date—just like the IELTS exam, which is valid for two years
IELTS
Recognized by: Ca’Foscari University, University of Chichester
This exam aims to test language skills specifically designed for the academic world, intended for students who wish to enroll in a foreign university or individuals planning to relocate to the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.
Compared to traditional Cambridge exams, the vocabulary and linguistic usage in the IELTS test are more focused on the field of economics. The IELTS exam typically lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes and yields a final score ranging from 1 (below A1) to 9 (C2). Results are usually available within 13 days for the paper-based exam and a maximum of 6 working days for the online exam.
IELTS certificates are valid for two years and are often requested and recognized not only in the United Kingdom but also in Canada and Australia. You will receive a certificate regardless of the score attained, eliminating the risk of failing.
However, universities usually require reaching a minimum score.
Cambridge English
Successfully passing a Cambridge English exam and obtaining certification allows you to receive a certificate that verifies your English proficiency at an international level. It is the certification of excellence.
Unlike IELTS, which only certifies your language level, this exam may not be merely passed; obtaining a score below the required threshold is equivalent to failing, while high scores (corresponding to grades A, B, and C) lead to a successful exam completion.
For each section of the exam (listening, writing, reading, and speaking), a specific certification with unlimited validity is issued.
In no case, therefore, can you underestimate the preparation phase: make sure to arrive well-prepared for the test and, if aiming for an advanced-level certificate, start at least from an intermediate level!
Plan your exam well in advance: gather detailed information about available dates, practice with test simulations, and enroll in a course to prepare thoroughly and address any potential weaknesses.
A structured course helps highlight sections where you might lose points and provides exercises and appropriate advice for improvement.
The upside? It’s a certification for life: a Cambridge diploma has no expiration date, though some institutions may prefer a certification obtained within the last two years. Furthermore, these certifications are highly prestigious: recognized by over 20,000 organizations worldwide, Cambridge English diplomas are synonymous with excellence.
LanguageCert
Recognized by: Ca’Foscari University, University of Chichester
LanguageCert is a regulated certification in England by Ofqual, internationally recognized in over 90 countries, and in Italy, it can be validated by schools and universities for enrollment processes and/or as an assessment of English language skills during the academic journey.
The advantage of this certification is that you can schedule your exam date 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, even on the day of the exam itself. You can take your exam comfortably from home, and the result is available within 3 days and never expires!
LanguageCert certification is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) and is increasingly in demand by many university faculties in the United Kingdom.
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