International qualifications are a requirement for any student who wishes to enter a British university or find work in an English-speaking working environment. Furthermore examinations provide an excellent method for students and professionals to focus on specific areas of the English language which they may need for their career. BBSI encourages students to take as many examinations as possible during their time at the College, and to acquire as many academic and professional qualifications as possible while perfecting your English-language and professional communication skills.
The majority of BBSI courses include the option to study for a variety of examinations as an integral part of your training programme. The key to success in examinations is thorough preparation, coupled with adequate practice and effective examination technique. BBSI specialist tutors assist all prospective candidates to prepare comprehensively for examinations, monitor your progress and provide adequate examination practice and guidance. The following examinations are available at BBSI:
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Cambridge ESOL provides the World's leading range of certificates for learners of English. The
Cambridge ESOL certificates are recognised at some level in most non-English-speaking countries in the world for both employment and study purposes. At BBSI students can prepare for the following examinations, which are recognised by universities and employers throughout the World:
First Certificate in English. The First Certificate in English (FCE) is an Upper-Intermediate level examination that indicates sufficient proficiency in English to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs for example, or in the tourist industry, where contact with English speakers is required. FCE is also useful preparation for students working towards higher-level examinations, such as the CAE or CPE. The FCE examination can be sat 3 times per year in Bournemouth. Examination dates in 2007/8 are as follows:
Reading, Writing & Use of English.
2007
Saturday 8 December
Tuesday 11 December
2008
Saturday 8 March
Tuesday 10 June
Saturday 14 June
Saturday 06 December
Tuesday 09 December
Speaking & Listening.
2007
16 November-16 December
2008
29 February-23 March
19 May-22 June
14 November-14 December
Certificate in Advanced English. The Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) is the second-highest level of Cambridge ESOL examination and is ideal for those who want to work or study abroad. A CAE certificate demonstrates language skills in a wide range of contexts. The examination is based on realistic tasks, and indicates the ability to use the language in practical situations, such as meeting and discussions. CAE is also useful preparation for students working towards higher-level examinations, such as the CPE. The CAE examination can be sat 3 times per year in Bournemouth; dates in 2007/8 are as follows:
Reading, Writing & Use of English.
2007
Wednesday 12 December
2008
Saturday 08 March
Wednesday 11 June
Wednesday 10 December
Speaking & Listening.
2007
16 November-16 December
2008
29 February-23 March
19 May-22 June
14 November-14 December
Business English Certificate. There are 3 levels of Business English Certificate (BEC) examination: the BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher. The BEC exams are linked to the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and to the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's National Standards for Literacy, within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). BBSI is an accredited BEC Examination Centre. All 3 examinations are ideal for students preparing for careers in the fields international business and commerce, where a good knowledge of English is required to function effectively. BEC certificates are internationally recognised and demonstrate that the holder has acquired an appropriate standard in English in a professional context. The BEC examination can be sat 4 times per year in Bournemouth. Examination dates in 2007/8 are as follows:
BEC Preliminary
2007
Saturday 17 November
2008
Thursday 13 March
Saturday 17 May
Thursday 05 June
Saturday 15 November
BEC Vantage
2007
Saturday 01 December
2008
Friday 14 March
Saturday 31 May
Friday 06 June
Saturday 29 November
BEC Higher
2007
Saturday 24 November
2008
Wednesday 12 March
Saturday 24 May
Wednesday 04 June
Saturday 22 November
Cambridge ESOL International Certificate in Financial English. Students will develop competent business English and professional communication skills, and acquire the University of Cambridge ESOL International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE). BBSI is an accredited ICFE Examination Centre. The ICFE examination is prepared by Cambridge ESOL in conjunction with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to meet the demand in helping students of finance and finance professionals to demonstrate that they have the financial English skills needed to communicate and converse with other accounting and finance professionals within the international business community. With the development of globally-recognised International Accounting Standards (IAS) and greater globalisation within the world of finance, successful candidates will have the opportunity to prove their linguistic ability, and to pursue international career opportunities. The ICFE examination can be sat twice per year at BBSI. Examination dates in 2007/8 are as follows:
2007
17 November
2008
10 May
15 November
University of Cambridge ESOL International Legal English Certificate. The International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) is a University of Cambridge ESOL examination produced and assessed by Cambridge ESOL Examinations in collaboration with TransLegal, Europe's leading firm of lawyer-linguists. BBSI is an accredited ILEC Examination Centre. English is an essential tool for any lawyer working with international matters, and employers need to know that the legal staff they appoint have a sufficient level of English to be able to communicate with clients and professionals in other countries. At the same time, law students and newly-qualified lawyers need to be able to show employers that they have the required language skills. The ILEC examination allows candidates to demonstrate their skills, and therefore to increase their employability. It is based on realistic texts, tasks and topics of the kind legal practitioners might meet in their daily working lives. Preparation for the ILEC is included automatically within this BBSI study programme. ILEC can be sat twice per year at BBSI. Examination dates in 2007/8 are as follows:
2007
17 November
2008
10 May
15 November
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
is recognised as the language entry requirement by colleges and
universities in many countries worldwide. The test is jointly
administered by UCLES, the British Council and IDP Education Australia.
IELTS (Academic) is also accepted by many professional organisations,
including the UK General Medical Council, the UK Ministry of Defence,
the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Australian Department of
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, and the Australian Medical
Council. IELTS tests the complete range of English-language skills and
will be commonly encountered by students studying or training in the
medium of English. US academic institutions are increasingly accepting
IELTS for admission purposes. Examination sittings are monthly.
Certificate in Management. The
Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
is the largest professional management institute in Europe. BBSI is an
Approved Training Centre for CMI and, as such, offers the
CMI
Certificate in Management (Level 3) qualification. Trainees can achieve
either the full award, or, where time is limited, partial accreditation
for those modules successfully completed. The
CMI
elements are externally accredited to the rigorous standards of the
Chartered Institute and are assessed by means of course work standards,
attendance and fortnightly assignments. The 8 units required for the
CMI
Certificate in Management are incorporated in modular format within the
BBSI Management & Business Administration syllabus. Normally, a
minimum study period of 24 weeks is required to complete all 8
CMI modules; however, students studying for lesser periods can achieve partial accreditation depending upon the number of
CMI
assignments successfully completed. These qualifications are widely
accepted by international employers and by major British universities.
There are no
CMI examinations. Quality of work is assessed by means of submitted fortnightly assignments.
Certificate in Purchasing & Supply. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) exists to promote and develop high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply chain management.
CIPS is the leading body representing the field of purchasing and supply chain management, and has become the central reference for industry best practice.
CIPS code of conduct is the standard around the World and the Royal Charter is recognition of the status of
CIPS as a centre of excellence and support for the profession. BBSI is an
Approved Training Centre for
CIPS and, as such, offers the
CIPS Certificate in Purchasing & Supply (Level 3) qualification, which is approved by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) and appears on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ). Trainees undertake examinations for the compulsory units of the Certificate syllabus, and submit either Case-Study work or an assignment for external assessment, which could be a mixture of role play and a test of theory, knowledge and understanding.
CIPS examinations can be booked on-demand. Assessment is flexible; there are no fixed examination dates.
International Computer Driving License®. The
International Computer Driving License® (ICDL)
is an internationally-recognised qualification that verifies practical
competence in computer skills in either a professional or personal
capacity and is the fastest growing international IT
user-qualification. It is designed specifically for those who wish to
gain a benchmark qualification in computing to enable them to develop
their IT skills and enhance their career prospects. No prior knowledge
of IT or computer skills is needed. The
ICDL raises an
individual’s level of competency in IT & computing skills and
improves personal productivity, both at home & at work; and
provides individual’s with an internationally-recognised qualification.
Examinations can be arranged in Bournemouth by appointment.
ICAO Aviation English-Language Proficiency. Testing and certification to meet
ICAO
Aviation English-Language Proficiency requirements can be conducted
only by external, independent and approved examiners. BBSI utilises
JAA-approved language testers and the test is conducted in separate
45-minute oral sessions. BBSI is in the process of devising an on-Line
language test to assess against the
ICAO testing
criteria and details will be published as soon as the assessment
process is developed to a satisfactory standard. Aviators and ATCOs can
submit an on-Line audio recording and results will be forwarded within
10 days of submission. Successful candidates would then be formally
certified accordingly.
NATO STANAG Military English-Language Proficiency.Military English assessment, grading and certification is conducted at BBSI by
Ministry of Defence Language Examining Board (MODLEB) examiners, in association with the University of Westminster. Certification is issued by
MODLEB
in accordance with the NATO STANAG 6001 Military Language Descriptors
and is wholly acceptable as a formal measure of the operational and
administrative Military English language skills level of the holder.
The test is conducted in 4 separate sessions to assess the 4 language
skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. NATO STANAG testing
is conducted on completion of each BBSI Military English course, or can
be conducted separately by special arrangement.
Download a PDF of BBSI Examinations & Externally Accredited Qualifications