International Students 3 min read

C1 Advanced

International students are required to display a level of English proficiency before attending university. One way of doing this? The C1 Advanced.

Ben Maples

Published Aug 28th 2024

If you're an international student looking to study in the UK, you'll need to show a level of English proficiency before you apply to a UK university. This is needed as part of the uni entry requirements, but also to secure your student visa. The C1 Advanced is one of these.

What is the C1 Advanced?

The C1 Advanced is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) designed for those going to university or looking for a job. As the name suggests, it's an advanced course that showcases your deep understanding of English across 4 main areas:

Your reading abilities
Your writing abilities
Your listening abilities
Your speaking abilities

The C1 Advanced is provided by Cambridge Assessment English (CAE).

What's the format of the C1 Advanced?

Section	Part(s)	Tasks	Length
Reading and use of English	8	Parts 1-3: Completing gaps in the text. Part 4: Every question has a sentence and a keyword which must be used to complete the next sentence so it has the same meaning as the last sentence. Part 5: Multiple-choice questions about a section of text. Part 6: 4 short texts and cross-text matching questions. You'll be asked to compare opinions and attitudes across the texts. Part 7: Choosing paragraphs to fill the gaps in. Part 8: A large text or several shorter texts with a series of matching questions.	90 mins
Writing	2	Part 1: Write an essay responding to a paragraph of text. You may be asked to reply to an article, a formal or informal letter, leaflets, or a notice. Part 2: Complete 1 of 3 writing tasks. You'll be asked to write a letter, a proposal, a report or a review.	90 mins
Listening	1	30 questions about a recording you just heard.	40 mins
Speaking	4	Part 1: An exchange between you and the invigilator. Part 2: You talk about a set of pictures. Part 3: You're given some pictures and a task. You're then asked to exchange ideas and negotiate to reach a decision. Part 4: You and the invigilator discuss topics related to Part 3.	15 mins

The test can be taken online or written. However, all speaking sections must be done in person.

Which universities require the C1 Advanced test?

Both the C1 and the C2 Proficiency are accepted by most universities in the UK. The exact list isn't known, especially since universities change their entry requirements every year.

How is the C1 Advanced scored?

You'll receive a Statement of Results showing your scores and four separate scores for each section of the test. Your score is marked in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The C1 Advanced scoring system is:

Grade	Cambridge English Scale Score (160-210)	CEFR Level
A	200-210	C2
B	193-199	C1
C	180-192	C1
CEFR Level B2	160-179	B2

How does the C1 Advanced compare to the IELTS?

The C1 Advanced does have IELTS equivalent scores too. Regardless of what SELT (Secure English Language Test) you've sat, most universities will use an IELTS band score descriptor.

The IELTS equivalences are:

C1 Advanced score	IELTS score
191	7.5
185	7.0
176	6.5
169	6.0
162	5.5
154	5.0

What's on my Statement of Results?

Your Statement of Results will have:

Your score for each section
Your overall grade
Your CEFR level

You'll find an example of a Statement of Results here. Depending on your results, you'll then get your Certificate of Advanced English.

How much is the C1 Advanced?

The test centres decide the cost of the exam, so prices will vary. You won't know the cost of the exam until you've booked the test and where you're going to sit it. Generally, prices are between €150 and €175.